subject: What Happens If My Shipment Is Delayed? [print this page] Even the best courier in Atlanta can have things happen which are totally beyond their control. A great courier might have something like a 98% on time delivery track record, but there are those unfortunate occasions where your package is the one that falls into that rare 2%. So, when this happens and your package is delayed, what you should you expect from the courier company?
The new technology that is used by most couriers now should make this a relatively painful experience for you. The days of along gaps in between the provided tracking information has mostly been over for a while now, and most couriers now utilize GPS tracking in all of their packages. This means that they know where every shipment is at every minute of every day.
This accomplishes two things. It makes it very easy for you to follow your package, and you will notice immediately if it has been delayed somewhere. However, the improved technology also makes it much easier for the couriers to communicate in detail with their dispatch offices. This means that they can make them aware of any extenuating circumstances which might be delaying a shipment.
There are lots of different things which can happen that might cause your delivery to fall behind schedule. The most common of these is probably going to be weather conditions. A stiff snow storm can stop traffic entirely, or slow it to a crawl, and is responsible for more late packages than anything else. However, a flat tire or accident can also cause a delay.
Your courier will probably ask you what method you prefer to be contacted by if your shipment is delayed. That way, they will either call you or email you immediately if they receive information that tells them that your package is going to be late in arriving at its destination. This information can then be used by you to help run damage control on any late shipments.
No client or customer is going to be happy that their shipment is late, that goes almost without saying. However, if you realize that your shipment is going to be behind schedule, this allows you the ability to contact them to warn them that their shipment is going to be late. Just like you appreciate that courtesy from the courier company, your client will appreciate the same as you. This helps control the damage to customer satisfaction that can occur as a result of a late shipment.