Running a business today means allowing access to your products online and finding the best ways to ship items to customers. Efficiency and speed should be a priority when getting orders out of the warehouse and delivering them to customers. To achieve this, many businesses turn to third party carriers for assistance in the last mile of delivery. With a good delivery management system, customers are typically alerted when their shipment has been picked up by these third parties. However, this often leaves customers wondering “What does accepted by last mile carrier mean?”
What does ‘Accepted by Last Mile Carrier’ mean?
“Accepted by the last mile carrier” is among the last tracking notifications that inform the recipient that their packages are on the way and prepare them for pick-up. It refers to when the final delivery driver has picked the item and is ready to start the delivery process.
How long does the last mile of delivery take after being accepted?
Unfortunately, last mile delivery is not an exact science, and ETA”s can be hard to pinpoint. The last mile delivery period largely depends on the carrier and the distance between the warehouse and the product’s destination. Even if the nearest processing center is miles away from the end-user, the process can still take around 5-10 business days to reach the customer. Fortunately, companies that utilize delivery management systems offer full transparency in the delivery process so you can track your shipment for a better ETA.
Businesses can optimize the delivery period by selecting last mile carriers near their prospective customers or have same-day shipping. If customers are willing to pay for same-day delivery (which, according to Statista, over 88% are willing) companies can speed up this process without losing money themselves.
What happens to your delivery when it is with the carrier
The 3PL fulfillment process is simple and follows the order below:
Receiving
The 3PL only ships orders they have received from the seller. In this stage, the last mile carrier confirms they have accepted the goods from the seller.
Warehousing
After receiving the inventory, the last mile carrier stores items in fulfillment centers, waiting for further details from sellers for particular orders.
Picking
After a customer places an order, the 3PL fulfillment process starts. The seller will send the details, and a warehouse picking team is assigned to pick items ready for delivery.
Packing
After picking all items on the order, the team will pack them securely. The packing depends on the 3PL’s capabilities, shipped items, and brand preferences.
Shipping
This is the most important step in the process. A carrier is assigned an order to deliver to customers. The speed largely depends on the 3PL’s partnerships, policies, and shipping options.
Returns
Sometimes goods shipped may not reach the customer’s destination or decline to accept them. The 3PL company will process the return and restock the items or dispose of them depending on their policies and the company preferences.
Benefits of accepted by last mile carrier mode of delivery
Modern customers want to receive their ordered goods as fast as possible. The best way retailers can achieve this is by diversifying their delivery options and working with reliable last mile carriers to deliver their goods.
Having efficient and cost-effective last mile delivery is vital to maintaining customer loyalty and boosting satisfaction. Customers who receive goods fast will remain loyal and market your brand.
Optimize your last mile carrier service with Elite EXTRA
Elite EXTRA offers a reliable third-party delivery network to help connect companies to third-party drivers. You can communicate effectively and optimize the last mile delivery process to boost customer satisfaction. Contact us today to learn more or get started.
Sources
Statista
Cleo
Chemistry Views
