Parceline introduces delivery date choice by SMS
Delivery company Parceline has introduced an interactive SMS messaging service which offers home shopping customers a choice of delivery dates for their parcels.
Problems with home deliveries could become a thing of the past, says Parceline about its innovative solution which enables the company to arrange delivery direct with the receiver of the parcel.
When talking to delivery companies in the past about such solutions, I have been told that the technology is available but it’s down to the retailers to decide whether they want to offer it. This step by Parceline shows how delivery companies can increase efficiencies (by reducing failed deliveries) and still improve service for internet retailers.
Parceline says that what makes this solution really different is that the receiver can reply and choose delivery on a day more convenient for them. Parceline is the only carrier to offer this interactivity, and is obtaining a patent for this service.
The receiver will get a text from Parceline giving the date the parcel will be delivered. If this is not convenient for him, they can choose delivery from three alternative dates. This is all done by text, although there is an option to receive notification by email, if preferred.
Is this the solution that the retail industry has been calling out for? According to the IMRG, 12% of home deliveries fail at the first attempt.
“The home delivery market continues to grow rapidly, and its weak point to date has been lack of an effective notification and delivery solution. This new service not only gives a great experience to the end recipient, it also offers leading players in the retail field a valued added service they can provide to their customers,” says Parceline’s Executive Director of Sales and CRM, Dwain McDonald.
“There are also environmentally-friendly benefits as well. As we’ll make more first-time deliveries, fewer return journeys will be necessary, so less miles travelled, less fuel used and so a reduction in carbon emissions and congestion” – less cost for the planet and reduced costs for Parceline. Will this result in lower carrier costs for e-retailers as well?
Emma Herrod
