Couriers... Which one??

[Ocean storm tackle 1]

Ok I need some feedback

Who here is using couriers for delivering their product?

I am currently using a mix of Fastway Couriers and Australia Post and I must say I am getting sick and tired of Fastways service and pricing!

They just had a price hike and now if you want a volume discount insead of just buying a bulk book of prepaid stickers they have introduced a minimum monthly usage.

I have also had my fair share of missing or late parcels resulting in unhappy customers. It bugs me most when i have had customers do "very large" orders and the courier is (days) late with the parcel.

So I am chasing down a courier service than can provide quick delivery at a resonable price. Are there any fellow Ezimerchant users out there that are using a courier company that they are happy with and can make any suggestions???

[Woodworker]

Hi

We use Couriers Please plus Aussie Post, a combination that seems to give us a pretty fair outcome, no courier service is great or if they are they're hiding from us. CP have just released a new EzyFreight service that's more flexible than the original coupon system.

The issue for us, is trying to integrate it with EziMerchant. Our shipments can be single parcels or multiples which makes using the Aussie Post DRC impossible, in our business we get more hassles over what it costs to ship, than the cost of the actual product.

From an EziMerchant 'wish list' point of view, we'd like to see a way of calculating freight rates, $ value by delivery post codes, that way we could recover the cost of deliveries to the nightmare locations that our customers seem to inhabit. For example there is a variance of over $110 for a 45 kg shipment going to Qld Zone 3 vs, say Geelong.

Perhaps there is an opportunity for EziMerchant work with a courier company on behalf of its users?

Regards

The Woodworker
www.woodworksupplies.com.au

[edward]

Go Logistics is priced well and reliable.

[ZingZangs]

Hi Ocean

There are quite a number of couriers out there. I guess that finding the suitable one for your own piece of mind and not having stock arriving days later, is completely up to you.

I have compiled another list for you to take a look at and which ones I have dealt with before. You will have to find out whether or not they service your area and are Australia and/or world wide.

Toll Couriers
Alert Couriers (this one maybe a Queensland Only courier service, not sure)
IPEC

Also try your local couriers as they may be linked with larger courier services to take your parcels further. Though it could be a bit more expensive.

I agree with woodworker about Australia Post, you said in another post that you have international orders that you fill also. Australia Post have a few different methods for both domestic and international packages. Grab yourself the "Post Charges" booklet from your local post office or go to Australia Post website and you can locate the information there. http://www.auspost.com.au/

I have heard about LOGISTICS before though I don't know anything about them. Probably best too google them and see what info you get about them. I am pretty sure they have a website.

[bungy]

we use
Fastway for non time critical
Toll Priority for time critical.

[Ocean storm tackle 1]

thanks I will have a look into toll.

Has any one used AAE - Australian Air express? they seem to have some priority services. would like to know if any one uses them and if you think the pricing is fairly reasonable.

[niko]

I have accounts with AAE, TNT and fastway plus use AUSTPOST and their platinum express bags. The platinum bags are a better option as they have a 500g bag which will save you a few dollars rather than the fact that AAE say they only have the 3kg as a minimum size sticker. Auspost will leave a card for collection at an AustPost outlet whilst AAE will charge me $6 if the parcel has to be re-delivered. Also, AAE pick up door to door whilst Austpost will pick up but you need to have an account and maybe high volume. I don't mind taking parcels to the delivery centre as I have a PO Box there, plus I am tending to move more towards Austpost. I will never ever use their standard express post again though.

As for Fastway, I struggle with their rediculous pre-paid stickers that seem to limit areas of the metro of Perth but I have no other choice. Twice I have had to blast them over very late deliveries! What is also annoying is I have to ring a mobile phone rather than a 1300 number. Make sure you put "morning delivery" on the parcel if sending by fastway if urgent. I don't use them for anything but metro.

I use TNT for packages over 5kg and are country, interstate and international. I am happy with their prices.

[Ocean storm tackle 1]

hi nicko yes agree with your comments on fastway and their ridicioulous $43 charge for now 1/2 of australia. (where before for us down in wollongong NSW this was only for NT and some of WA) until a few weeks back.

Also their new system of minimum monthly usage or forfit the unused labels is a bit of a joke.

Thanks for your imput on AAE.

I have been considering going to the aust post platinum satchels but @ over $15 for 3kg is a bit rich compared to pre paid satchels like fasway have So am exploring my options further. But I do feel that By using the aust post platinum bags they will offer the best of service compared to other carriers.

At current we only use Aust post and fastway and have done so for the last 2 years this way but i think looking at other peoples comments it may be best to set up accounts with a few more and just use whoever is best fer the situation.

[ZingZangs]

Hi Ocean

I rang AAE the other day, after I posted my reply thread to your question. They will not give out quotes on parcels over the phone unless you know the weight and all three dimensions of the box that you are sending. They also told me that I could not get a price for anything else. I would have to have a minimum of $50.00 per week in orders as an account customer and also I could be a cash customer and they would quote me on every single parcel sent, as long as I had the weight and dimensions of each package. I rang back later, to get prices on their prepaid satchels this for cash customers.

3kg satchels $19.70 each (come in packs of ten only).
Total of $197.00 for the one pack.

5kg satchels $27.37 each (come in packs of ten only).
Total of $273.70 for the one pack.

Cash customers MUST send a company cheque to their PO Box and then AAE will forward satchel packs on.

Australia post will accept on the behalf of AAE (for drop-off). They did say also that they can pick-up parcels, though where I am, I am too far out of the way for them.

Hope this helps.

[Ocean storm tackle 1]

Thats very nice of you to provide this info ZingZangs!

Currently we spend well over $16,000 a year or more on freight so $50.00 a week is nothing to make up!


still their pricing is a bit rich! I guess if their service is much quicker than fastway then this is a bonus. but then one of the points i read further up about them charging $6.00 for a non delivery / re-deliver status makes it a bit of a nightmare!

Mostly I would say just as a rough guess 70 - 80% of our freight is posted in pre paid satchels and 20 - 30% go into boxes.

Its a very interesting issue and i really appreciate peoples feedback on their freight companies and as i hope it has helped answer other members needs on freight companies to chooose.

[ZingZangs]

I don't mind providing the info. ;)

[dferguson]

Take a look at http://www.airroad.com.au

[Ocean storm tackle 1]

I have just got an email from TNT with their rate schedule for our freight volume and very impressive.

Most of our freight will cost with them (3kg) satchel between $6.30 and $11.05 This is for overnight express Australia Wide.
Northen territory , some of WA and some of QLD will cost a bit more than what ive stated but a bulk of our orders will not be going to these more remote locations anyway.

So far looks like ill be switching to TNT as the main carrier and use the others now as standby's

[ZingZangs]

Glad to see that you have finally found a freight carrier Ocean :)

I am noting their satchel costs....thanx for the heads-up ;)

[dferguson]

I had a personal experience with TNT lately.

When they delivered I was not home, so I got the usual card in the door. I then called them to organise redelivery.. What I was not told was that whenever you call their call center, any redelivery request takes 48 hours to action. So its at least 2 days wait before they try to redeliver! Crazy concidering the package is sitting at the local TNT center waiting to be picked up by a driver.

AAE however is excellent with redeliveries.. If you call them early enough in the morning they will make sure it gets on the truck for same day redelivery!

[niko]

If you have an account with AAE the prices drop. I don't pay the prices you have been quoted (I pay 3kg $15.20) and without doubt if you can't do 4 parcels a week then you need to up your sales to meet the minimum $50/week. What I also do is up the price of the goods a fractrion if I can and drop the delivery to $10. However, I do use Australia post prices and I don't mind forgoing the extra $5 if I make the sale. If a customer asks for price on freight I tell them the Austpost price and then the AAE with the comment the extra pays for guaranteed next day delivery (or two day delivery outside metro) and they most often go for the AAE bag at $15. Quote $14.95 if you have to.

The only problem is if the AAE parcel has to be redelivered the sender pays $6 for the resend. Keep an eye on that. Platinum Express bags means the customer has to pick it up from the post office which I think is right if they request parcels to be sent to an address that no one is home during the day. Ask the buyer to request delivery to their work address instead.

I don't use fastway for national deliveries only local or just outside local.

David, you are right about TNT too but I like them for their International and National deliveries.

[Ocean storm tackle 1]

yeah i got given prices on international from TNT aswell and where I was previously using Australia posts - express post and express courier which takes 4-10+ business Days I have found the prices from TNT were not only comparable, some cases alot cheaper and also alot quicker.

I did a time estimation to some of my more frequent international destinations and found it would only take 2- 3 days!


Niko I did read in the terms and conditions that TNT sent me that they also charge a re-delivery fee for a second attempt only. They dont state how much but have you found any issues with this?

[ZingZangs]

If you have an account with AAE the prices drop. I don't pay the prices you have been quoted (I pay 3kg $15.20) and without doubt if you can't do 4 parcels a week then you need to up your sales to meet the minimum $50/week.

Niko, if you read what I had wrote in my reply you would see that I had stated that it was for "CASH" customers. And that it would be different for those whom created accounts with AAE. Please Read my quote below:

I rang back later, to get prices on their prepaid satchels this for cash customers.

3kg satchels $19.70 each (come in packs of ten only).
Total of $197.00 for the one pack.

5kg satchels $27.37 each (come in packs of ten only).
Total of $273.70 for the one pack.


I use Australia Post for my sending my parcels. I don't mind their services and I can rely on the parcels getting to their destinations.
This is for local, domestic and international parcels.

I know of different people that use different freight carriers at different prices, and they choose them because of the fact that they have been using that particular company for years and have had no problems. Which yes, can be a bit stale, though is how some people think. Also, I know people that use multiple carriers for various reasons and for various destinations. There are also others that I know that will change freight carriers, because they do charge LESS for they cartage. Which of course makes sense.

I think that when it comes to the point of how you send your freight/parcels with, is "PERSONAL PREFERENCE".

[Ocean storm tackle 1]

... terms and conditions that TNT sent me that they also charge a re-delivery fee for a second attempt only. They dont state how much

OK!
Got my second bill from TNT today and found out just how much a re-delivery fee was. For a local delivery half an hour up the road cost me $16.50

Very Rich Indeed!!!

I have emailed the local TNT sales rep to see if this fee on a permanant basis is negotiable otherwise I have to say that after only 2 weeks with them I will give them the flick!

As i am sure it is with most other fellow ezimerchant merchants, most of the deliveries go to home addresses and redeliveries are always going to be a factor in a fairly high percentage of the orders.

[Online Pet Accessories]

I've been searching for ages for a reliable delivery method, especially on bulky items. I've tried most of the major couriers and they all suck! I'm finding Australia Post to be the best, but not by much. They can be very unreliable, especially with international orders. 6 weeks to get a parcel to USA???

[Ocean storm tackle 1]

the problem with sending international packages via aust post is there is also no tracking unless you use express courier international or express post international.

Express post international is handy as it only costs $5.00 more than standard international post however you are charged on a minimum of 2kg! so keep that in mind. If you are still making a buck on the deal though i would recommend the express post option as atleast it gets there within 4-10 days and you get a signature and tracking. (and also you get more chance of repeat custom if it gets there quicker)

[niko]

Postage and freight in AU sucks bad. If I was to send anything within a few kilometres of my place I would personally deliver it. However, As AAE only have 3kg stickers as a minimum I use Platinum Express Post 500g most of the time and collect my letters from the PO Box at the same time :)

I will only use AAE in emergency where I can't get the stuff out same day but needs to.

[edward]

I believe you can whack a sticker on AAE parcels instructing to deliver to local postal office if no one is home.

[dferguson]

Yeah, I have recieved cards in the door from AAE instructing me to pick up the package at the post office..

My post office manager loves them as he says its one of the few things he gets paid for handling :-P

[Ocean storm tackle 1]

I believe you can whack a sticker on AAE parcels instructing to deliver to local postal office if no one is home.

Question is would you still get charged the $6.00 fee for this if they were not home?

[niko]

I have been informed by AAE that the sticker idea is not available. That method may apply to platinum express bags. So, unless you can give us the source AAE won't admit to that service.

[HelpMePlz]

I use a combination of AP and AAE prepaid satchels which I find pretty effective. AAE only charge me ~$10 per 3kg satchel with a minimum buy of 30 at a time, not sure why others seem to be getting charged a lot more than that. I'm on a 200 cubic rate and I only send about 8-10 satchels a week. I've been very happy with their service and delivery times, only downside is I can't get a pick up after 11:30am each day in my area which is a tad frustrating.

I've never used Toll or Star Track Express but based on receiving parcels from those 2 companies I'd give Toll a big thumbs down and Star Track a thumbs up. One of my main wholesalers used to use Toll and their delivery times were all over the place, delivery is supposed to be 2 days from Sydney to Adelaide, occasionaly it would turn up in 2 days, sometimes 3 and sometimes even 4 days! And as previously mentioned if you miss the parcel you have to wait 2 days to get it re-delivered! Unreal!

That wholesaler has since changed to Star Track after many customer complaints about the delivery times and it is much better. Parcels turn up in 2 days every single time and delivery is before lunchtime whereas Toll were delivering after 4pm which was then too late to be able to use the stock that same day.

[HelpMePlz]

I believe you can whack a sticker on AAE parcels instructing to deliver to local postal office if no one is home.

I have AAE stickers that enable the parcel to be left without signature but have never heard of this.

[niko]

My cubic rate is 250 and charged approximately $15 per 3KG bag, I presume this is because I am in Perth. I might try to re-negotiate with them because it makes me un-competitive for sure.

[bakeandbrew]

We've just signed up for Contract Mailing Rates with Australia Post - which has SIGNIFICANTLY reduced our delivery rates compared to standard post. Apparently you need to send in excess of 1000 parcels p.a.to qualify. We've also been offered parcel collection service if postage value is over $40 per batch. Also worth looking at is Express Post Extra Large satchels ( 3kg & 5kg) - again by contract only through AP Business Centres and you need to purchase min. 100 satchels p.a. We've used local couriers, Fastway, Bluestar Logistics & Couriers Please but still find Australia Post the most reliable - and by far the best for outlying areas.

Donna
The Bake and Brew Shop
www.bakeandbrew.com.au

[niko]

I use a combination of AP and AAE prepaid satchels which I find pretty effective. AAE only charge me ~$10 per 3kg satchel with a minimum buy of 30 at a time, not sure why others seem to be getting charged a lot more than that. I'm on a 200 cubic rate and I only send about 8-10 satchels a week. I've been very happy with their service and delivery times, only downside is I can't get a pick up after 11:30am each day in my area which is a tad frustrating.



I phoned AAE and they are saying you are effectively lying. I told them what you have quoted and they said no, it's the same price for everyone unless you buy a thousand pre-paids. This is very frustrating. Maybe when you receive your invoice just check what the total is for the 30 bags and then the statement will should show when you send a 3 kilo parcel what other charges (fuel excise etc) is charged.

[arken]

Hi All,

Just like to throw my 2 bobs worth in. We have been selling online for many years and tried many different couriers. There is not one perferct courier out there, however for the last couple of years we have been using Australia Post eParcel. You do need to sign a contract with a min spend of $10,000 per year however they do offer pick up and have recently upgraded their online tracking. All they need to do now is to train their staff to actually scan the parcels! Can be frustrating when you're unable to track a parcel for a customer. They give you free software for their special labels that go on all parcels. (You need a laser printer for this). You have the option of normal, Express and COD. There is also an option of leaving the parcels if no one is at home. (We ask our customers under the "additional information" during the checkout for insturctions on leaving the parcel if not home.) Plus with their extensive inferstructure of Post Offices Australia wide, picking up from there is not a problem. People trust the fact that your using the well known Australia Post! They only take parcels weighing a max of 22kg. Anything over that we use TNT. We also export many items. We use either Australia Post EMS international courier of TNT for larger items.
Hope our experience helps!

[HelpMePlz]

I phoned AAE and they are saying you are effectively lying. I told them what you have quoted and they said no, it's the same price for everyone unless you buy a thousand pre-paids. This is very frustrating. Maybe when you receive your invoice just check what the total is for the 30 bags and then the statement will should show when you send a 3 kilo parcel what other charges (fuel excise etc) is charged.

I think it is them that is lying to you. Depending on the current fuel surcharge rate I can assure you I only get charged $10-$10.50 per 3kg label. When I order 30 labels I never get charged more $350 inc GST.

[niko]

I am in WA, maybe Eastern Staters get a different rate.