subject: Updating The Status Of Shipments For Customers [print this page] Good courier companies make sure that their customers are as in the loop as possible when it comes to the status of their shipments. The best San Francisco delivery services will update their customers regularly with status updates in several ways. They will use the automated systems which allow customers to track their own systems, they will offer contact in case of emergency status changes, and they will provide direct contact for the most important updates such as the successful completion of a delivery.
The system that is going to be used the most often for providing customers with status updates is the one that is built into the online or telephone system that customers use to check shipment status on their own. Courier companies update these systems regularly so that customers can see exactly what is happening with their products throughout the duration of their shipment. This includes the current status, location, and sometimes GPS coordinates of the package. If a customer wants an update on their shipment, these systems which are accessed with a simple reference number are typically the best way to get one.
When a delivery is completed is one of the times when a courier company will almost always contact their customers directly. A POD, or proof of delivery, is a very important thing to have in case there is ever a dispute from a customer about whether or not they received the goods which they ordered. These days, most courier companies offer the option of a real time POD. This is an email that they will send you, often with an electronically captured signature, verifying that your customer has signed for and accepted the delivery.
Courier companies will also updated customers directly with the status of their shipment if something has changed in that status which is going to require an action on the behalf of the customer, or if a significant delay has been experienced in the shipment. They will usually phone the customer in a situation like this in order to make sure that the customer knows exactly what is happening with their shipment.
The best courier companies are those that are the most proactive about keeping their customers informed about their packages. If you're trying to decide between prospective providers, then start asking your potential couriers about how they are going to let you know about your package while it is in transit.
