What is recorded delivery?
Learn more about what recorded delivery is, and how it can benefit your business!
Enhancing your delivery service
It’s safe to say that, when it comes to parcel deliveries, customers want to know that their items will arrive safely and on time, well before they actually place an order.
This makes it important for you to find and provide a service that does just that. But if you’re a small e-commerce business, the last thing you really want to be doing is investing in expensive tracking software and delivery controls methods on top of everything else.
Fortunately, there is a cheaper alternative out there – recorded delivery!
Keep reading to learn more about how this simple service can inspire confidence in your customers and help to grow your business.
What is recorded delivery?
At its core, recorded delivery (also called signed for delivery, proof of delivery, or signature delivery) is about one very simple idea –having your customers confirm to you directly when their parcel has been delivered, or when it has been placed in a designated safe space or handed over to a specified neighbour.
And this is important for two reasons:
- It puts a customer’s mind at ease knowing that their parcel won’t be left on their step unattended or delivered to the wrong address. If no one can sign for it, the parcel will simply be returned to the depot, ready for re-delivery.
- It lets you know quickly that your Courier service has been successful.
How does recorded delivery work?
Typically, recorded delivery can be handled in any number of the following ways:
- Having the recipient sign for their parcel using a digital signature upon their parcel’s arrival
- Having the recipient provide proof of ID matching the details on the parcel before handing it over
- Having the Courier take a picture of the parcel on the doorstep after confirming the recipient’s identity
Out of these three, digital signage tends to be the most popular. It allows a courier to record not only evidence of the parcel being delivered to the recipient, but also the time, date, and location of the delivery.
But with that being said, it’s not uncommon for two or more of these to be used together. It all comes down to personal preference and what sort of service you can provide to your customers.
Why should you use recorded delivery?
Simply put, making use of any form of proof of delivery comes with a number of benefits for any e-commerce business and their customers:
Safe shipping:
Customers get reassurance that their parcel will only be delivered if the parcel is signed for by them or a specified neighbour, making it a great way to send and receive important, personal, or expensive items.
Parcel protection:
Using proof of delivery systems with photos can protect both yourself and customers when it comes to ensuring parcel safety, highlighting whether or not parcels were received as damaged and making it easier to handle claims.
Simple dispute resolution:
In the unlikely case where a customer gets in touch because their parcel wasn’t delivered, you’ll be able to confirm whether or not it was signed for, or if it has been lost in transit – both of which can be confirmed quickly.
Parcel cover:
In the case where a signed-for parcel is lost during transit, recorded delivery enables you to easily claim back the loss in funds via insurance as you have proof that the parcel left your warehouse.
Reputation protection:
Although uncommon, in the event that an unsatisfied customer makes a complaint against your delivery service (such as requesting compensation for a parcel that was actually delivered), proof of delivery can be a very useful tool in disproving their claims.
Reduced paperwork:
Electronic signing systems minimise the need for extra paperwork as all data is transmitted and stored in an online database. This also has the added benefit of minimising the potential of losing confirmation documentation that could be used to support delivery claims.
Using Evri as your Courier service
So, now you know exactly how proof of delivery works, and why you should be using it, it’s time to choose a Courier service. One that offers you good value for money and provides a suite of great benefits for your customers – a Courier service like Evri!
Below are just some of the great benefits your customers get when you use our sending service:
- Standard and Next Day delivery options
- Regular tracking updates for all UK and international parcels
- Options to add a digital signature for parcels to be delivered directly to someone at the address or neighbour
- Photo confirmation of parcel delivery
- The option for recipients to divert their parcel to their nearest Evri ParcelShop or Locker up to 15 minutes before delivery
- The option to have their parcel delivered to a safe place or neighbour, again including photo confirmation
- Up to £20 free parcel cover* which can be increased up to £999
*excluding Postable parcels