Deliveries of merchandise (from food or drinks to clothing, furniture, toys, etc.) can be made on foot, motorcycle, bicycle, truck or automobiles appropriate for the delivery of the products in question.
Delivery is a term that has, in Spanish, a wide and diverse field of application. According to each context, it can be used to refer to the act of distributing or giving something , putting oneself (or a neighbor) at the disposal of an authority or to refer to a segmented publication of printed fascicles or volumes. This word is also synonymous with consecration or absolute and unconditional dedication to a cause, an ideal, a mission, etc. and, at the same time, it is used in the field of architecture in order to identify a piece of wood or ashlar that goes inside a wall
On a commercial level, the notion covers the distribution of products and logistics for the dispatch of packages, services or orders .
Delivery types
There are, for customer satisfaction, multiple types of merchandise delivery . Although there are certain modalities more common than others, it is advisable that, to the extent possible, companies or providers offer the greatest number of delivery options in order to please consumers and be able to make numerous sales without being limited to the process. of delivery .
Home delivery , for example, provides the convenience of receiving what has been purchased at home. In the case of food delivery, the delivery service usually covers a certain distance and does not go beyond a few kilometers. Home deliveries or delivery to a specific address are usually enabled, in addition, for purchases made online .
Until technological advances revolutionized the market with innovative systems for distribution operations, the most common model for manufacturers was to have at least one point of sale , managed directly through store delivery .
In addition to the alternatives mentioned above, the scheduled delivery system is recognized (which allows the recipient or whoever will receive the package to choose the delivery date and the time range in which they will drop it off), the express delivery system ( option that is characterized by the speed to complete the shipment, which is why it usually has an extra cost), the local delivery service and even the international delivery modality.
In order for the postman to deliver the letters correctly, essential information must appear on the envelopes: zip code, delivery address, a contact telephone number and sender information.
Stages
The delivery process usually goes through different stages , starting every time someone places an order in person or requests a product remotely . With the order in place, the supplier activates a circuit that includes the preparation of what has been required and its packaging .
Later, the shipment is carried out through the means agreed with the recipient . It is important, from that moment on, that there is monitoring or follow-up to control that the management progresses within the deadlines and with the conditions that have been foreseen. Upon receipt, the delivery of the merchandise is fulfilled, although from then on there remains a period during which the consumer can proceed to return what was received, whether due to failures or other inconveniences.
Delivery Service Providers
At an international level, various chains, firms and even ventures operate daily that make delivery services possible. Each of these providers offers plans that vary in characteristics, conditions and rates , which is why it is advisable to inform yourself about each proposal, compare and select the one that best suits you or best adapts to the needs of a person or company.
The postal service , to indicate a specific case, includes a basic option intended for shipments that are not urgent and do not require proof to confirm receipt . From there there are higher cost plans that add advantages (such as providing a tracking code , for example).
Those who still have a mailbox , in this framework, continue to receive there (or under the entrance door to their home) postcards or letters that some postal employee leaves at the addresses that appear on the envelopes.
There are also companies equipped to deliver large packages . For this, they have logistics and a transportation service specially prepared for the safe transportation of packages of considerable weight or large dimensions.
If they are dedicated to transporting groceries, companies must guarantee the safety and conservation of the merchandise for the delivery of food in optimal conditions.
Finally, we cannot fail to take into account that there are many companies in the world (such as FedEx and DHL ) dedicated to courier services .
For the delivery of large packages, special services must be hired that take into account the dimensions and weight of the shipment or order to be shipped.
Challenges and problems
In every delivery circuit, challenges are faced and inconveniences can arise that harm either a business or a customer. Although efforts must be directed towards an optimal service , of excellent quality and that is environmentally friendly, there are unforeseen events and problems that sometimes complicate the outlook or prevent deliveries from being made quickly, efficiently and with a sustainable methodology.
A cargo transport , for example, may be subject to theft or accident, in which case it will be necessary to notify the fact and carry out the relevant procedures to access insurance coverage, although all this takes time.
Some deliveries , meanwhile, may suffer delays as well as certain merchandise, as a result of knocks, breakages or misplacements, become considered damaged and/or lost deliveries . Faced with these eventualities, companies must act responsibly to compensate harmed customers.