Factors That Affect Shipping Costs With Courier Services

If you are like most small business owners, you use the services of large delivery companies for most of your small business shipping needs. These services from larger delivery companies are ideal for national and international shipping needs, but you may also use courier services for local deliveries. Courier services often provide you with a reliable, cost-effective option, and many couriers offer personalized service and can specially-handle your package as needed. It is common for small business owners to compare rates of courier services before contracting with a courier for local delivery service. In your comparison, you may wonder what factors impact delivery rates. Identifying the most significant factors that influence these rates may help you to discover new ways to save on this service.

The Delivery Address
One of the most common factors that impacts courier Toronto rates is the delivery address. If your address is in the same city as the pickup location, you may expect to pay a more affordable rate. This is particularly true if the pickup and delivery addresses are in the prime service area that the courier works in. Some couriers will work outside of their prime service area for an additional fee. With this in mind, you can save money on courier fees if you find a courier that works in both your pickup and delivery locations.

Miles Traveled
Another factor that will affect the price you pay for courier services is the distance between the two locations. Your courier will incur a cost for each mile traveled in the form of fuel expense as well as wear and tear on the vehicle. You may consider mapping the distance between the two locations yourself to ensure that the mileage expense that you are being charged is for the fastest route between the two points.

Time Required for the Delivery
The delivery time will also affect your courier rate, and delivery times can vary based on traffic at the time you schedule the pickup, construction on the fastest route between the two points, weather conditions and more. Consider paying attention to the average hourly rate the courier charges for delivery service, and compare this rate against other couriers’ rates to identify cost savings through other sources.

Hiring a courier to deliver your package to a local area is a great option that can ultimately save you money. However, the cost of delivery services can add up over the course of a year, and you may be wondering how you can save money on delivery charges. By learning more about the factors that affect rates charged by couriers, you can more easily adjust or manage those factors to your benefit.

Jordan April 26, 2017
The Advantages Of Using ID Cards For Your Organization

ID cards are a great way to promote your organization, increase public awareness, and add new members. Be sure to apprise organization members of how their ID cards can be used to maximum benefit. ID cards have a wide range of use from security to employee discounts and best of all you can make them in-house with the use of a card printer. This is especially true if the organization is internationally based.

What You Should Consider Before Using ID Cards

Before issuing cards consider how they will be used and how they should “not” be used. For example, if your organization’s policies do not allow members to use these cards to promote their personal businesses, the cards should indicate this in fine print. A card printer can provide this service at the time of the first printing. It is also advisable to fully discuss the purpose and use of these cards with membership to avoid potential problems.

Stress the Point of Cards for Your Organization

On the positive side of the use of cards, members should be provided with a list of associations and businesses who will accept the cards as proof of membership. These are also quite helpful for civic and charitable organizations that frequently provide services to the public. It is important to stress the point of identification cards to members so they can find additional uses for them.

The cards also serve as an identification of the organization’s services and validate the volunteer/members involved in related events and presentations to the public. In organizations where raising funds is a major part of their responsibilities, a member is quickly identified and validated by potential donors. If the cards will be used for security purposes, you should create a general security guide that includes how to use them, which areas are off-limits, and other procedures.

What Information is Essential to Identification Cards?

A card printer provides a basic template for identification cards. Specific information a card printer may require includes:
. A signature line for each organization member
. Contact name(s), phone number(s) or email(s) for verification purposes
. Formal logo of the organization
. Licensing or permit numbers if applicable

The Style and Design of Identification Cards

Some card printers may already have a template for established organizations. If this is a new organization, discuss the style and design of the card to ensure they effectively communicate the message of the group. Cards should be designed for quick recognition when presented to the public. This is especially important for relatively new organizations that need to build their public image and increase membership, patrons and donors.

The Cards Are Printed, What Next?

The first step after the initial issues of cards are printed is to ensure all members in good standing are provided with their card. These cards may also be distributed in new member packets as part of the new members’ introduction to the organization.

Jordan April 22, 2016