Hi guys.
I am a lifelong UPS customer and always use UPS whether shipping or buying online.
I am set to launch a new ecommerce startup and would like your advice.
Simply put, the price and quality of service you provide is the most important issue to the success of my business that is outside of my control. If I can't offer a competitive delivery rate for my customers, we won't be successful.
As a startup, we obviously have no volume, so we don't have a volume rate. Without a volume rate, we can't compete with existing businesses who can offer low shipping rates.
We are going to be using a fulfillment warehouse that allows the use of our own account number. We have been offered low rates using USPS, FedEx Ground, SmartPost, etc. but I really want UPS to be our exclusive delivery provider from warehouse to door. I consider our driver's to be a part of our company since you are the one's who are actually coming face to face with our customers. Delivery reliability and professionalism matter to me.
I understand that quality has it's costs and I don't expect something for nothing however as an ecommerce merchant, we are all competing with Amazon on some level. We absolutely must be able to get a discount rate if we're ever going to have a chance to get off the ground. (yes, I know we won't get Amazon's rate
What is my best course of action? Are there volume buying organizations that I can join to get a rate where I can be competitive?
What do I need to do to get a competitive shipping rates from UPS to be able to grow into the successful ecommerce business I know we can be?
Thanks for your time.
I am a lifelong UPS customer and always use UPS whether shipping or buying online.
I am set to launch a new ecommerce startup and would like your advice.
Simply put, the price and quality of service you provide is the most important issue to the success of my business that is outside of my control. If I can't offer a competitive delivery rate for my customers, we won't be successful.
As a startup, we obviously have no volume, so we don't have a volume rate. Without a volume rate, we can't compete with existing businesses who can offer low shipping rates.
We are going to be using a fulfillment warehouse that allows the use of our own account number. We have been offered low rates using USPS, FedEx Ground, SmartPost, etc. but I really want UPS to be our exclusive delivery provider from warehouse to door. I consider our driver's to be a part of our company since you are the one's who are actually coming face to face with our customers. Delivery reliability and professionalism matter to me.
I understand that quality has it's costs and I don't expect something for nothing however as an ecommerce merchant, we are all competing with Amazon on some level. We absolutely must be able to get a discount rate if we're ever going to have a chance to get off the ground. (yes, I know we won't get Amazon's rate
What is my best course of action? Are there volume buying organizations that I can join to get a rate where I can be competitive?
What do I need to do to get a competitive shipping rates from UPS to be able to grow into the successful ecommerce business I know we can be?
Thanks for your time.