In many ways, the internet has made the world a smaller place. Among other things, our connection to a global network has made it possible for people to communicate with others and see events that are taking place on the other side of the planet in real-time. On top of giving people the ability to share information with a click of a button, the internet has also made shopping a breeze. It’s now fairly easy to look online for brands and products that meet your wants and needs.
However, online shopping is not without its limits. For example, if the items you want are not readily available in your country, then there’s no getting around the distance that the item has to cover to arrive at your doorstep. You’ll have to ship to the Philippines and wait for some time before you can get your hands on your purchase. The good news is that you have a number of logistics options for such an occasion. There are two prime contenders: courier service providers and postal delivery services.
Between the two of these, however, which should you choose? To be able to find a provider that matches your particular needs, you need to understand both the similarities and differences between courier services and postal delivery services. To that end, here’s what you need to know and what each service is best used for.
What Can You Expect from Postal Delivery Services?
Organizations that offer postal delivery services are almost invariably run and managed by national governments. While there are private postal service providers in existence, they often operate within certain restrictions in the countries that serve as their base of operations.
Postal delivery service providers specialize in transporting mail, letters, and postcards. Some can even accept small parcels, typically under 2 kilograms in weight. Depending on many factors, such as the distance between the sender and recipient, it can take a long time for a postal service provider to deliver a letter or parcel to its intended destination.
It requires a bit of a history lesson to understand the level of dedication that postal services have in delivering letters and documents. Since the invention of writing, people have depended on intermediaries to deliver written communication to their intended recipients. This practice became the prototype of the postal service that many people are familiar with today.
Even now that a good portion of the global population has access to the internet, postal service providers still fulfill an important role in keeping people and organizations connected. Because they’re typically run by states and funded by taxpayers, postal services can also afford to keep their services at a lower price compared to their private counterparts. But just like private logistics providers, postal organizations also need to adapt to the changes brought about by the ubiquity of digital technology, and their adaptability can determine whether clients or consumers will choose them over couriers.
What Do Courier Service Providers Offer Customers?
Courier service providers fulfill somewhat similar roles to postal service organizations, though there are a few major differences in how these groups are formed and their priorities when delivering the items that have been entrusted to them.
First, governments don’t have monopolies in courier services. Often, these delivery groups are founded and managed by private and commercial entities.
Second, the items these providers carry are not limited to letters and small parcels. Since they cater to the general public, courier service providers are eager to offer a wide range of services that consumers are looking for, and this may very well include transporting heavy or perishable items from one place to another.
Third, courier service providers carry out their operations with strict time constraints. It’s not unusual for the customers to consider transportation speed when choosing courier options, and courier companies are eager to set themselves apart from the competition by offering quicker delivery times.
Of course, more demanding delivery assignments demand higher prices. If the package that you want to send or receive is heavy, or if you want to get your item in a short period even though its place of origin is several time zones away, then you must be willing to pay a commensurate amount of money for the kind of service you want.
Choosing the Right Logistics Option for Your Delivery Needs
Ultimately, the best logistics option when online shopping is the one that matches your exact needs as a buyer. When choosing between postal and courier services, you need to consider a few important factors, such as the size and weight of the item, whether or not it can withstand lengthy times on the road, and when you want it to get to its destination.
If you’re buying an item that’s the same size as a letter or a small parcel and you’re in no hurry, then using a postal service is a practical option. On the other hand, if you’re in need of a service that can transport bigger items, and you’re also eager to receive the item you purchased online as soon as possible, then you’re better off paying for a courier service that suits your specific need, schedule, and budget. Again, take the pros and cons of both postal and courier services into consideration before you make arrangements to have something delivered to your corner of the world.
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