Virtual Dispatch

The special delivery and the porch with the best light

There is a difference between day deliveries, and night deliveries. Or more precisely, there is a difference in the degree of difficulty. A GPS device is handy and accurate, most of the time. However, there are times it causes more confusion, than it solves. In those times, time is actually lost, interpreting erroneous information.

With this in mind, the middle of the night, is not the best time to have erroneous information. In fact, it can lead to all sorts of trouble. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time, at night, is not the goal of most couriers. The job has always been about fast, and safe, delivery completions. As well as the best earnings possible.

The Special Delivery

Furthermore, using every clue to confirm a drop-off location, is a best practice. For example, house numbers and mailbox numbers. Additionally, the delivery customer sometimes adds details about their location, in the special notes of the dispatch screen. These are just as important as house numbers and GPS pins. When considered as a whole, the address confirmation is more solid.

It makes all the difference, when approaching the front porch of a house at night. Many front porches are under some form of video surveillance these days. This is an excellent thing for the courier. It goes hand in hand with safety. Furthermore, it means the courier’s actions are being recorded. Leave at the door deliveries are being recorded. Then the courier snaps a photo of the, leave at the door, scene.

After the porch work is done, the courier marks the delivery as complete. The special delivery was all about a night completion. Additionally, it all happened on the front porch. Not the side porch. Or the back porch. The delivery instructions were about the location of the delivery customer. However, there are times when the delivery instructions are about a particular porch. Often it is the one with the best light.

The Porch With the Best Light

For example, the delivery instructions request a leave at the door, drop-off. The door with the working light. Upon arrival, only the side door has a working light. In almost every case, the courier works at the front door, of the delivery location. However, the delivery instructions are part of the clue system. Therefore, a request to leave the delivery at the door with the light, is a clue. Additionally the courier will take a picture of the delivery scene, for delivery completion, confirmation.

In almost every delivery, there is a benefit to confirming a location. Even if the GPS pin is singing and dancing, and pointing right to it. Check the house number anyway. Double check the delivery special instructions. Look for the porch that has the best light. Make a call, or send a text, if there is no light. Using every tool, and looking for every clue, is a courier best practice, every time. Stay safe out there.