Most delivery delays are not caused by traffic. They are caused by a missing piece of information at the point of booking — an unconfirmed address, an unexpected pallet, a truck that cannot fit the load. Here is what our dispatch team asks for, and why each answer matters.
Have your information at hand
Ordering a delivery goes quickly when the details are ready before you call or place the order online. Our dispatchers will ask who the pickup is for and where it is being collected from, along with shipment details such as the PO number, the size and weight, what the items actually are, the service level you need, the truck size required, and any special instructions for the driver.
That last one matters more than people expect. Gate codes, loading-dock hours, a contact name on site, or a note that the delivery is on the third floor with no elevator all change which vehicle and which driver we send.
Use proper shipping packaging
Make sure the packaging actually fits the shipment. Packaging that is correctly sized and sturdy enough for the contents protects the freight in transit, and it often saves money too — a properly packed shipment can travel on a smaller, less expensive vehicle than one that has to be handled loose.
Put the information on the package
Add the purchase order number and Y2K tag number to the package itself. When the driver arrives at a busy warehouse or job site, clear labelling means the right item goes on the truck without a phone call to confirm. The more information on the package, the less chance of a mix-up.
Pick the service level that fits the deadline
If time allows, planning your pickup and delivery ahead is the most cost-effective approach. Non-rush services are the least expensive way to send a shipment, and our Regular service uses a six-hour delivery window with cutoffs at 11:00 a.m. for the Lower Mainland and 10:00 a.m. for the Fraser Valley.
When something genuinely cannot wait, Four-Hour, Two-Hour and Direct service are there for it. The point is to match the service to the actual deadline rather than defaulting to the fastest option every time.
