Negotiation is simply a part of doing business in most industries. The courier industry is one of these, but the truth is that the vast majority of people do not recognize this. They think that the rate which is quoted to them by their Los Angeles courier service is immutable, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Many people negotiate the prices that they pay for delivery and courier services. Here are some things to think about to get you closer to getting the savings that you deserve on your shipping.
The first thing that you need to realize is that your courier wants your business. This is similar to any organization or person that you are negotiating with. They want you to buy from them, and so you are actually the person with the power in the situation. There is a good chance that there are many other courier companies in your area for you to choose from, and that freedom gives you the leverage that you need to negotiate a better shipping rate with your courier company.
Doing research is always a good idea before you start any kind of negotiations. You should know what the competitors are charging so that you have a good place to start your negotiations from. For instance, another courier company in town may actually have better rates, but you might enjoy the customer service that you are offered by the company that you currently do business with. Knowing what other rates that are currently offered in the industry are can give you a good place to start negotiating from.
You should also have in mind what you’re aiming for when you start trying to negotiate. You’re not looking to score a discount on a single shipment. That isn’t really going to save you much money in the long run. Instead, what you should be looking for is a preferred rate for your company with the courier. Even a small percentage discount can really add up to a substantial amount of money saved over time if you can get this kind of arrangement set up. If you currently deal with more than one courier company, offering one of them your exclusive business in return for a better overall shipping rate can be a great way to get the prices that you’re looking for. The key to negotiating is that you must initiate the ball rolling, otherwise you’re assured to not save a penny!