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Things to Know Before Your First Big Shipment

November 20, 2015

courier services The cost of shipping can make or break your business, whether you’re brick and mortar or online. With the advent of online shopping, brick and mortar stores are forced to find new ways to retain their customers. Shipping products is a big part of that. If your shipping costs are too high, customers are going to go elsewhere, especially if your competitors can offer lower shipping costs. Before your store opens, there are several things you need to take into account to ensure you and your customers get the best possible service.

Research

It's well worth the time to do research before jumping into a shipping plan, believes Sergiy Lishchuk, owner of Skokie, Illinois-based Ukrainochka. Before opening his business dealing in Ukrainian arts and crafts, he researched what successful retailers were doing with their shipping policies. "I looked at Amazon, overstock.com and lots of eBay stores and compared them to see what worked best," he explains. All the major shipping vendors like USPS, FedEx, UPS and DSL publically provide a list of their services and rates on their sites. You should also check sites like www.iship.com and www.InterShipper.com, which ask for information like package size, weight and location information to work out the cheapest way to send packages. Many of these vendors will have representatives that you can arrange to meet with to review their needs and explain options. "Arrange meetings with the reps and find out just what options are available. There may be things you didn't know about that will work well for your business," suggests Ramon Ray, founder of a business and technology consulting firm in New York City named SmallBizTechnology.com.

Who pays for shipping?

Keeping all this in mind, woothemes.com states that “it might be a good idea to offer flat rate shipping or to absorb shipping (or at least part of it) as an expense on your end to keep customers on the path toward conversion.” If you do the right thing by your customers and keep your costs low, you will build a loyal customer base. "In this competitive environment where there's very little customer loyalty, things like shipping matters," concludes small-business consultant Steve Strauss. "Eat the shipping. It's a small cost to you, and customers will respond." Weigh up your options before deciding, taking your customer base and reach into account. If you have international customers, it may not be feasible to offer a flat-rate or take the financial hit of paying for shipping yourself. Some of your customers will be more forgiving than others, so think carefully before embarking on either course.

Ready to Find Your New Shipping Company

At Power Link Expedite, we know that the items we deliver hold great importance and/or value, and we strive to reach our customers’ expectations. Whether you’re shipping within the Greater Toronto Area, or to elsewhere in Canada or the US, Power Link Expedite will get the job done through state-of-the-art technology, experienced drivers, and high quality customer service. Contact us today to learn more about our courier services, or to request a quote, and deliver your package right the first time!

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Is Your Business Getting the Most From Today’s Shipping Technology?

November 10, 2015

courier services It’s time to ask what else your courier company can do for you. Can you find your shipment at any given time? For that matter, can you reach your courier’s customer service at any given time? Today’s courier technology gives you unprecedented access and control during the entire shipping process. If your current company doesn’t offer the following, it’s time to ask why.

Package Tracking

This is obviously the most important feature. Today’s technology gives you the ability to see exactly where your shipment is, right now. Framing a realistic expectation of when things will arrive is important for both you and your recipients. There is also the piece of mind of knowing exactly what is happening at all times.

Ordering

Ordering can be a massive time drain, so make sure your courier gives you the tools to help you place small and bulk orders, as quickly as possible. Your courier should offer you the ability to:
  • Place an order online
  • Print waybills
  • Track the status of your shipment with email updates
  • Receive an electronic Proof of Delivery (P.O.D.)
  • View your invoices
  • Search for previous shipment records
  • Access your shipment history online
  • Receive your invoices and statements electronically
  • Update your address book

Dispatch and POD

You also need to work with a company who has a constant understanding of where exactly their fleet is at all times. That way, they can dispatch the closest possible agent to come pick up your rush delivery. Otherwise, you can lose valuable time, before you have even sent anything. Also, all drivers should be equipped with mobile data terminals, which instantly record and transmit pick-up and “proof of delivery” information so your delivery data status and updates are time-stamped and available online. This ensures your package arrives in the right hands, every time. If your courier doesn’t offer you this level of service and accountability, it’s time to find a courier that can.

Looking for a Reliable Courier Service?

At Power Link Expedite, we assist countless businesses achieve their needs through our state-of-the-art technology, experienced drivers, and high quality customer service.  For over 15 years, we have shipped items large and small across the GTA, Canada and to the US. For more information about how we can help you, visit our website to learn more about our services, or contact us to request a quote, and step up your game to offer quality courier services like the biggest players.

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These Legal Documents Can’t be Emailed and Need to be Couriered

November 9, 2015

legal courier services While even your legal documents can often be sent to relevant parties using email or fax these days, sometimes only a print copy or the original will do. The management of these documents can have very important consequences for you or those close to you--the need for the original is a good indication of their significance--so it is important that you handle them correctly. Here are three types of life-altering legal documents that can't be sent by email.

1. Passport Documents

Your passport is a symbol of freedom, leisure, and excitement. Your first adult passport must be applied for either in person or by mail. You will need to ensure that you send the completed application and appropriate supporting documents as outlined by the government of Canada.

2. Estate Documents

The authenticity of a will is paramount, so the original document is often required. As Canadian Living explains, only the original can be presented in court, so if you need to send your will or that of someone in your life somewhere for legal reasons, you will need a courier.

3. Immigration Documents

If you are immigrating to or planning to extend a stay in Canada, getting the application process right could affect the rest of your life. While some immigration applications can be applied for online now, others remain paper-based. While the government is now accepting visitor visa applications, work and study permit applications, Express Entry permanent residence applications, and Interim Federal Health Program applications online, many programs require that a hardcopy be mailed to a case processing centre. Spousal sponsorships and sponsorships of parents or grandparents are included in those applications that must still be mailed physically. Similarly, according to Citizen and Immigration Canada, when submitting an application for a permanent residence card, completed applications and the supporting documentation must be mailed to the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Even urgent applications (for those leaving Canada to travel) must be mailed. The delivery of these documents can be highly time sensitive, whether you are dealing with travel plans, inheritance issues, or immigration concerns. If you need a courier who will deliver your legal documents quickly and securely, consider Power Link Expedite.

Looking for a Reliable Courier Service to Ship Legal Documents?

If you constantly handle legal documents, then you probably know that such documents should be couriered as opposed to sending them via regular mail. At Power Link Expedite, we assist countless businesses achieve their needs through our state-of-the-art technology, experienced drivers, and high quality customer service.  For over 15 years, we have shipped legal documents across Ontario, Quebec and to the US. For more information about how we can help you, visit our website to learn more about our services, or contact us to request a quote, and step up your game to offer quality courier services like the biggest players.

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How to Track an Important Order

August 31, 2015

courier serviceThe logistics industry has benefited greatly from the technological developments of the past couple of decades, enabling this sector to provide services in a more cost-effective manner. In addition to reducing the amount of time it takes to deliver goods, the ability to closely track packages and delivery personnel helps to ensure that logistics companies get the most out of their staff and infrastructure. As a consumer who needs to make sure that a package arrives on time, it’s key to understand how to track the delivery of an important order.

At the Warehouse

The first step of keeping track of an important order happens at the facility which accepts the request. A warehouse or storage facility keeps close tabs on all inventory and monitors the activity of the pickers and packers who locate the item before packaging it to be sent away. Most inventory are typically labelled with barcodes that can be scanned and linked into a logistics database that registers the status of the order. This allows the person making the order to see that the item isn’t stuck in warehouse limbo, but instead has been promptly prepared for delivery. The computerized database can be set up to send automated messages to alert customers that an order has been fulfilled and is on the way to its destination.

In Transit

Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has revolutionized the logistics industry as much as computerized inventory management. The ability to track the exact location of delivery vehicles, including cars, trucks, boats, and planes, down to specific coordinates allows for greater communication and collaboration between those who order and those who deliver items. A series of satellites that orbit the earth communicate with GPS devices, linking them into computer systems that report their exact location. In addition to GPS, when a delivery involves multiple stops on the way to its destination, each individual stop can be recorded and monitored throughout the network of logistics storage facilities. The best way to track an important order is through the combination of local inventory tracking and monitoring of delivery vehicles through GPS systems. During each step of the process, you’re able to confirm the departure and arrival of the package through various logistics facilities, even confirming the exact coordinates of the item regardless of where it’s located around the world.

Have an Important Order to Ship?

At Power Link Expedite, we help businesses achieve their needs through our state-of-the-art technology, experienced drivers, and high-quality customer service.  For over 15 years, we have shipped items large and small across the GTA, Canada, and to the U.S. For more information about how we can help you, visit our website to learn more about our services, or contact us to request a quote.

How to Get More From Your Courier

August 22, 2015

courier service In any business, the most important thing is to keep your customers happy. No matter who you are or what you’re selling, if you have unhappy customers, it will impact on your business One of the most important and easiest ways to keep your customers happy is to offer a strong courier service. Regardless of the quality of your product, if a delivery arrives late or damaged, your customer won’t be happy and may take their business elsewhere. If you choose to work with a sub-standard courier, you have no one to blame but yourself, so you need to be careful about who you choose to carry your products. A wise choice can propel your business to new levels while poor services may just work the opposite way. So, it’s crucial to take time and choose wisely. Always Consider:

Cost

Whatever your business, you will be looking to keep costs down, so you may not be able to afford an expensive courier service company. It’s a common adage that “you get what you pay for,” but it is fully possible to enjoy first class service at a fair price, if you shop around and are willing to negotiate. You can contract a fairly priced courier provider but still enjoy the top-notch services you are after.

Reach

It’s important that whatever company you choose can actually take all of your deliveries. No matter what size your company is, you need to be able to reach your customers, and you’ll need a provider who can deliver to everywhere your customers are. This especially applies if your business has an international customer base.

Customer Service

By using a company that offers an up-to-date tracking system, you and your customer can keep tabs on the shipment, from when it leaves the courier’s office to your buyers front door and everywhere in between. This will spare you the stress of guessing whether your customers order reached its destination. Theft, loss or damages are things that can crop up during shipping and delivery, no matter how careful you and your courier are, so be sure you are sufficiently covered against these, especially when you are sending costly products. Not all courier companies offer the same terms, and some also have a maximum amount for liability, so check all this before choosing your courier. The courier should also be able to present delivery confirmations each time, which comes with the recipient’s signature.

Customer Reviews

A company can tell you whatever it likes when you approach them with business but the proof of the pudding is in the eating, in this case, customer reviews. Take some time to research and see what has been said about the company by their customers. Good places to look are on business forums, or “you can do a quick check on sites like Trust Pilot which let you search for a company then provide the reviews.”

Ready to Try a Different Type of Courier?

Since 1998, loyal customers have shipped their packages with confidence with Power Link. As a leading provider of same-day courier and expedited freight services, Power Link combines state-of-the-art technology with old-fashioned values for a service you can depend on.

For more information about how we can help you, visit our website to learn more about our services, or fill out the form on the right to request a quote.

Finding the Best Courier for Your Small Business

August 12, 2015

courier for small business In business, nothing is more important than keeping your customers happy. Regardless of the size of your company, if your consumers are unhappy, it will have a negative effect on your business, but small businesses are more vulnerable than most. To keep your customers happy, you need to offer the best possible courier service. If a delivery arrives late or damaged, it’s unlikely that the customer will return. If the courier is sub-par, it will reflect poorly on you, so you need to be very careful about who you choose.

Safety

A fast and safe delivery system is crucial to running your business. You (and the customer) will also want to be able to track the package from the time of the order to the point of delivery. You may also need to research insurance issues; it’s very unreasonable to ask the customer to cover any damages that may occur over the course of transport due to mishandling.

Cost

As a business, you will be looking to keep costs down, so you may not be able to afford an expensive courier service company. It’s a common adage that “you get what you pay for,” but it is fully possible to enjoy first class service at a fair price, if you shop around and are willing to negotiate.

Reach

Small businesses are more likely to have customers in surrounding areas than further afield. If your small business wants to use couriers for deliveries, you need a provider who can deliver to everywhere your customers are. The same applies if your business has an international customer base. In these instances, worldwide deliveries will be a necessity. It’s important that whatever company you choose can take all of your deliveries.

Customer Service

Deliveries can be stressful. When you’re dealing with a courier, you want someone whose customer service will ensure you are not stressing every time you give them a package. You should also deal with a company that will allow you access to your account 24/7, so you can monitor pickups and deliveries whenever you want to check in. The courier provider should also be able to present you with delivery confirmations each time, with the recipient’s signature.

Customer Reviews

Although a courier company may say whatever it takes to secure your business with them, reviews can offer an alternate view on their services. Set aside some time and go through the complaints, comments and reviews of them by other businesses and customers. This could make or break your decision to do business with them.

Looking for a Reliable Courier Service for Your Business?

At Power Link Expedite, we assist countless businesses achieve their needs through our state-of-the-art technology, experienced drivers, and high quality customer service.  For over 15 years, we have shipped items large and small across the GTA, Canada and to the US. For more information about how we can help you, contact us to request a quote, and step up your game to offer quality courier services like the biggest players.

How to Ship Your Business’ Sign?

August 11, 2015

shipping service If you’re trying to open a new branch in your corporation in a new area, branding is everything. Without appropriate signage, it’s much harder than it could be to make an impact in a new area. Unfortunately, shipping signs or other awkwardly shaped items can be a nightmare, with improper packing leading to damage to, or the loss of, your sign. Some people would opt to simply buy two planes tickets, one for the courier and one for the sign itself, and let it travel that way, but this is not feasible for many.

Protect Your Investment

So, rather than spend more money on deliveries that doesn’t need to be spent, it’s better for many to ship their signs on the own terms, by packing and shipping the sign themselves. The first step is to find a box of the right size. For some items, such as wheels or anything circular, there are boxes that are specifically designed for such an item. Saving time and being able to pack multiple items may be worth the added expense of finding the perfect-sized shipping box for your sign. Using a tape measure, you can determine the sign's general length, width, and height. Then, find a location that sells shipping boxes and find a box that matches the signs size with about 2 inches of spare room on each side.

Prepare for Shipping

Once you have your box, you’ll need packing material to protect the sign from jostling during transit. Packing materials include plastic bubble wrap, newspaper, packing peanuts or other "loose fill" supplies, and stiff cardboard. The right choice depends on the item being shipped, your own budget, and the size of the box. As you’re packing, you may need to get creative, especially if the box isn't perfectly designed for the item. Crumpled newspaper and packaging peanuts are good for keeping an item sturdy inside the box. Plastic bubble wrap is good for the interior to prevent damage. Surround the item with packing material on all sides so it can absorb impacts from multiple angles. Finally, seal the box with packing tape wherever there is an open seam and along all sides. The best way to figure out the proper postage for shipping your sign or other awkwardly shaped items is to take it to be weighed and measured at the post office. Once you’ve got all that sorted out, send your sign and wait for confirmation of delivery.

Ready to Ship Your Business Sign?

Once your sign is wrapped up and ready to go, you need to trust that it’s going to be handled with care and delivered accurately and promptly.  At Power Link Expedite, we know that the items we deliver hold great importance and/or value, and we strive to reach our customers’ expectations.  Whether you’re shipping within the Greater Toronto Area, or to elsewhere in Canada or the US, Power Link Expedite will get the job done through state-of-the-art technology, experienced drivers, and high quality customer service. Contact us today to learn more about our courier services, or to request a quote, and deliver your package right the first time!

4 Reasons Every Law Firm Should Use Courier Services

August 10, 2015

In the legal profession, every minute counts. Deadlines can mean the difference between a case going to court or being dismissed. So, why would you trust your important paperwork to anyone other than a legal document courier? We've come up with a list of four reasons why every law firm should use courier services. The next time you've got important legal documents to send, think about this list before you entrust them to just anyone.

Couriers Keep Records

If you want to know for certain whether a document arrived at its destination, you need a record that the recipient indeed received it. Couriers keep track of every single delivery. They have a record of the person who ordered the delivery, and when they arrive at the recipient's address, they require that he or she sign for the package. There can be no doubt that a document arrived when you've got the person's signature to prove that he or she received it.

Couriers Take the Quickest Route

This probably sounds like a familiar situation: you have a document that needs to be signed by a certain time by a third party, and if he or she doesn't sign it, it could cost your firm big. A courier knows the quickest way to get from your office (point A) to the third party's address (point B). You won't have to worry about him or her getting lost, because couriers know which routes have the most traffic, and which streets to take to get to the destination speedily.

Couriers Offer Rush or Express Service

Many courier firms will provide rush or express services to their clients. That means that you no longer have to worry that the vital paperwork won't be submitted in a timely fashion. Rush or express service is guaranteed, so the courier will do everything possible to make sure that it arrives at the recipient's address by the deadline.

Delivering Packages on Time is Their Job

Courier firms specialize in completing deliveries by a certain time. They're not doing you a favour. It's their job. So, they've got a vested interest in making customers happy. If they don't deliver packages in a timely fashion or if they don't uphold their guarantee for a rush delivery, they'll lose customers and might eventually go out of business. Choosing a legal document courier is the only way you should transmit your files, because you know the company wants to keep your business.

Looking for a Reliable Courier Service for Your Business?

At Power Link Expedite, we assist countless businesses achieve their needs through our state-of-the-art technology, experienced drivers, and high quality customer service.  For over 15 years, we have shipped items large and small across the GTA, Canada and to the US. For more information about how we can help you, visit our website to learn more about our services, or contact us to request a quote, and step up your game to offer quality courier services like the biggest players.  

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Need a Legal Document to be Filed A.S.A.P.?

August 7, 2015

Most residential real estate transactions in Ontario close within 30-90 days, which may not seem like a long time to the eager buyers – but legally speaking, is really a very short time span in which dozens of details need to be processed behind the scenes. While the move is toward electronic filing of important documents, many others – such as the Agreement of Purchase and Sale itself and the Status Certificate in the case of condominiums – are typically still paper-based, and need to be reviewed by a number of professionals to ensure the deal closes as stipulated.

Commercial Real Estate Documents

For commercial real estate deals, the document burden is only intensified, according to The Law Society of Upper Canada. Though commercial deals do usually take longer to close, there are a tremendous amount of forms to be prepared and delivered ‘in a timely manner’ as per a complex closing agenda. Equally as important as speed is document integrity: an original property survey, for example, may be a delicate sketch nearly a century old, while other documents like amendments and schedules may quickly lose legibility if they are repeatedly scanned and emailed back and forth between parties for signatures and changes. In both cases, documents need to move quickly and safely to preserve their integrity.

Choose the Right Courier

What is the solution? For legal documents, when every moment counts, Power Link Expedite is there to make sure your records are delivered on time, and in their original state. We offer a variety of service levels to meet your needs, so you can choose which service is most economical depending on your requirements. From Super Direct courier services in Toronto that delivers your documents anywhere within Canada or the United States as quickly as humanly possible, to same-day delivery which ensures your papers arrive by end of business, we have a service that fits. And for your convenience when filing paperwork with government agencies, whose front desks often close before 5, we offer several rush services with guaranteed delivery within 1-4 hours. Simply have your parcels ready by the ample cut-off times and one of our professional couriers will deliver your shipment right away. Real estate closings aren’t the only legal matters where time is of the essence. Law firms that don’t respect the needs of their demanding clients risk losing those clients – so whether it’s serving a party with divorce papers or responding to legal action within a specified time frame, it makes sense to entrust your essential legal documents to a reliable courier services in Toronto you can trust to keep them safe, confidential, and delivered within strict timelines.

We Can Deliver Legal Documents Fast

Power Link Expedite understands the urgency of the documents you’re sending, because our client roster includes many law firms who have registered accounts and use our speedy, reliable courier services in Toronto on a daily basis. When Canada Post simply isn’t enough, you can trust Power Link Expedite for all your urgent document delivery needs.

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Important Documents You Can’t Forget While Getting Your Products Shipped to US

August 6, 2015

You’re in the big leagues now – shipping your finished products to the US in something bigger than an envelope. While an eager market ten times the size of this one can seem heaven-sent, remember that there are only three certainties in life: death, taxes, and paperwork. You will certainly need plenty of the latter when using courier services in Toronto to ship to the US. So, should you leave all the documentation to your freight forwarder? Even if you do turn this task over, it’s still good to know what important documents will be required to get your products across the border successfully.

Your International Shipping Documents

  • Commercial invoice: This is the primary document used for reporting because it outlines how much your buyer is expected to pay for your goods, so it’s a true representation of value and therefore useful for calculating any customs duties.
  • NAFTA Certificate of Origin: Whether you’re old enough to remember Meech Lake or not, the historic accord between Canada, Mexico and the United States means that if your shipments qualify, your products will enter the country duty-free! This certificate provides proof.
  • Bill of Lading: This document lists exactly what you are shipping to the US and specifies the transport terms. It also acts as a receipt for the goods and a title document proving that its owner has title to the goods. For shipping on the high seas, there are actually two different types of Bills: a straight bill of lading and a negotiable one. As the name implies, a negotiable bill of lading can be bought, sold or traded while the goods are still on the ship; customers looking to purchase such a bill should ensure they receive an original copy to avoid problems at port later.
  • Air Waybill: This will come into play when shipping your freight by air.
  • Certificate of origin: This form may be required over and above the commercial invoice, to prove the origin of your export item
  • Inspection certificate: Depending on what and where you are shipping, a third party inspection may be required from an independent testing organization to verify the specs of the shipment
  • Dock/warehouse receipt: When shipping by liner, this is your receipt when the courier services in Toronto domestic carrier moves your goods to the port of embarkation, all ready for its ocean voyage.
  • Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED) must be prepared for shipments through USPS if the value of the contents is over $500, or over $2500 if not using the postal service.
  • Export packing list: Itemizes what is in each individual package, along with its dimensions, weight and measurements…extra proof for picky US Customs agents that you are shipping what you claim to be.
Remember, if you are shipping specialty items like dangerous goods, perishables, or certain types of equipment, additional Customs forms may be needed.

Looking for a Reliable Courier Service for Your Business?

At Power Link Expedite, we assist countless businesses achieve their needs through our state-of-the-art technology, experienced drivers, and high quality customer service.  For over 15 years, we have shipped items large and small across the GTA, Canada and to the US. For more information about how we can help you, visit our website to learn more about our services, or contact us to request a quote, and step up your game to offer quality courier services like the biggest players.

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