subject: Is It Possible To Schedule Multi-stop Shipments? [print this page] There are a lot of times that a company which is shipping to multiple clients and customers might see an advantage to scheduling a multi-stop shipment with their delivery company. There are certainly order fulfillment services which are going to allow you to do this, but you are going to have to find one that has the appropriate scale to do so. This isn't going to be as easy for a small courier company that only has a limited number of vehicles in their fleet, as they may have commitments to other clients which they also have to struggle to keep.
Usually, it is going to be easier for you to arrange this kind of multi stop shipment if you do so on a shipping schedule. To just call and try to immediately get a truck out for the next day that is going to make a half dozen stops can be very difficult to accommodate, as many shipping companies only have a limited number of vehicles available on flexible schedules each day. On the other hand, if you can schedule a multi stop delivery in advance, or have it completed on a regular schedule, most companies should have an easier time finding a way to accommodate you.
There are different options for a company that has these kinds of shipping needs. In addition to just planning the multi stop shipment with the scheduled service, you could also look into hiring a courier to work just for your company for the day. There are advantages to this option as well.
This model of delivery can obviously cost more. However, it also gives you a great deal more flexibility. If you need deliveries made all over the city, or the state, and sometimes need to change the order that you require the deliveries to be made in, then this is the way that you should be shipping. Also, if you frequently have last minute orders come in, once you're already paying the courier it is totally within your prerogative to have them turn around and come make the new emergency order the priority delivery.
The shipping option that is best for you depends on two things. The first is the number of stops that you are requiring in your multi stop shipment. The second, is the amount of flexibility that you usually require in your shipping and the chances that you see of emergency delivery needs appearing.
