Best shipping companies

@referee1

Getting involved in shipping just gets you part (or all) of the blame if there is a problem.

pay for insurance on the parcel, call the shipping company after you have a tracking number - explain to them it’s a pair of speakers and should be handled with care. call them again once the parcel reaches the next stage - on its way to you.

i can’t tell you how many times delivery drivers asked me: so what’s in here?

with speakers (especially large speakers) it would be obvious. it’s always good having reassurance. how much do the speakers weigh?

in my experience, DHL and FEDEx are really good.

@tcotruvo

maybe it sounds weird, but I can assure you that taking extra precautions (such as calling them) is worth the time and energy investment.

sure they are handling so many parcels a day - but one or two delivery drivers is going to be assigned to deliver that parcel to you - based on the proximity of their warehouse and time/schedules of their folks who manage and complete deliveries.

I’ve also done this with kitchenware, my tempered-glass desk, furniture (new dining table) etc.

sure thing - people make mistakes, but that extra bit of effort on part of the buyer goes a long way. I once bought some audio gear from Spain, now sold - that was looked after very well and arrived without any damage.

at 18, i bought an amplifier online. Only to have it severely damaged upon arrival. it was also interally damaged beyond repair. never want to have such an experience again. and if I’m selling, i always double-box, pack it up super nice to ensure that even careless delivery drivers won’t be able to cause damage; either accidentally or intentionally.

@bigtwin

awesome!

@facten  & @tcotruvo 

Google search for "how to talk to a live person at  [shipping company] "

Even if you somehow press the wrong call direct digit(s), having your call redirected to the right department or person is not difficult. Usually it's just customer service. I've also spoken to FedEx reps who deal with collecting taxes and duties payments for parcels over the phone about this kind of thing  long ago- details about my parcel; handle with care etc.

So right after paying them...

They can redirect your call in priority order quickly; to have someone "leave a note" so to speak. And honestly, it works. Like I've said before in a previous post, I've had delivery drivers ask: so this is an important parcel, right... a milestone birthday gift?? Because that message got passed on. Arrived without issues/damage and on time or even before time!!! They will send out their best people to make a successful delivery if you make that request.

You can also call an authorized ship center / their warehouse (one that is close to you and where the package will be waiting before being delivered to you). While you might not be able to control how well the parcel is handled step-by-step from a distant country, you can get local shipping centres to listen to you.

In my experience, this has worked for FedEX, UPS, and DHL. I can't say it will work for every shipping company. I'd rather not provide incorrect information.

Long story short - while meeting quotas is certainly vital for them; keep in mind that they are in constant competition with all the other shipping companies! They want your repeat business...like any other business you can think of.

For local businesses I just talk to the owner on the phone directly and/or in person if I'm buying that day. They assure me that their senior delivery drivers will deliver something (like a dining table or something fragile). A lot of rookie delivery drivers (especially those that are just looking to make ends meet) are often careless. 

All the best.