The best proof of delivery, how important is it?
Once again the courier has arrived at the front door. Next is pushing the doorbell button. And from the sound of the chimes, it works very well. Now the courier waits. Perhaps it’s possible to hear footsteps from within the house. Or maybe there is a loud flat screen TV that suddenly goes quiet. Anything that acknowledges the courier’s presence will do. As long as there’s some noise, or some activity, everything will be okay.
However, what if it remains quiet, and no happy customer answers the door? What then? A courier, driving for a merchant, has an out. It’s the home base. Back at the home base, there is help. In the form of a manager, or a crew mate. Either of these can help track down the elusive customer. In fact, this type of thing happens often.
Furthermore, couriers have a name for the solution to this problem. The police knock. It may seem like this is excessive worry over getting someone to answer their door. However, it can be one of the most time consuming parts of a delivery. A lot of time is lost standing at a door no one answers. Similarly, if this is a meet at the door drop-off, the courier needs that door answered. ASAP.
The Best Proof of Delivery
Experienced crew couriers understand the idea of waiting at the door. Once upon a time every delivery was, meet at the door. It was a given that someone would be there to receive the delivery. In fact, that was and still is, the ultimate proof of delivery. Handing the hot fresh food to a human, that is. Except that, handing it off to a human isn’t necessarily the best proof of delivery these days.
With this in mind, it very nearly is better if the delivery is a leave at the door delivery. Particularly with a delivery app. This isn’t because of blazing speed or better than early arrivals. Actually, it’s the way proof of delivery works with a leave at the door delivery. The courier must submit a picture. And the GPS location must match the drop-off location in the app.
Then the information is sent to HQ. Once it is approved the delivery is cleared for completion. Now the proof of delivery has been submitted, and the courier can move on to the next offer. Yet there is still another thing to consider. What if the delivery customer greets the courier at the door anyway? What does a courier do if it’s a leave at the door delivery, and there’s nothing to leave at the door? Can there be proof of delivery, when the courier is met at the door instead?
How Important is it?
It’s a matter of great importance. It would be ideal if every delivery experience was legitimate. However, there are sometimes bad actors. And although the courier completes the delivery by handing it to the drop-off customer, it can be disputed. After the fact. Additionally, without picture evidence or proof of delivery, it can lead to a ding in the ratings. Especially if the drop-off customer reports the delivery as incomplete.
It happens. And sometimes it is part of a scam. A solo courier’s best defense is to follow through with the leave at the door steps. Even if the customer is there to receive the delivery. A picture takes two seconds. Then the courier has proof of delivery. Similarly the customer receives notification from the app of delivery confirmation.
This technique helps with possible disputes. For example, a quick picture of the front door, if the customer was quick, and went back inside with the delivery cargo. A courier isn’t going to be at the front door of the exact drop-off location and somehow not make the delivery. In other words, it’s just that much harder to make a scam work, when there’s photo evidence to counter it. Stay safe out there.
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