It’s 10am. Your customer has just called and needs something delivered today.

Maybe a production job has been delayed. Perhaps a customer is waiting for an important part. A machine has broken down and needs a replacement component. Or something simply hasn't arrived when it was supposed to.

Whatever the reason, the pressure is now on you.

So, what are your options?

1. There may be more options than you think

When something needs to be delivered today, the first reaction can often be to look for a same-day courier and ask, "How quickly can you get it there?"

But before arranging anything, there are a few questions worth asking:

Where does it need collecting from?
Where does it need delivering to?
What time does it need to arrive?
How large or heavy is the item?
Is it fragile, valuable or particularly important?
Does it need a dedicated vehicle?
Does someone need to be available to receive it?
Is there a more economical option that will still meet the customer's deadline?
Having this information from the start can make a big difference.

2. Same-day dedicated delivery

If the delivery genuinely needs to arrive today, a dedicated same-day courier may be the simplest solution.

The vehicle is dedicated to your delivery rather than carrying other customers' goods along the way.

This can be particularly useful when the delivery is urgent, time-sensitive or too important to leave to a standard network service. Apollo only operates using a designated vehicle policy to ensure the quickest possible delivery time.

Depending on the size and weight of the goods, there are different vehicle options available — from small vans and Transits through to larger vehicles.

The important thing is to make sure the vehicle is suitable for the job.

3. Does it really need to be delivered today?

Sometimes the answer is yes.

Sometimes it isn't.

If your customer says, "I need it today," it is worth establishing why it needs to arrive today and what the actual deadline is.

For example, does it need to be there by 3pm, 5pm or before close of business or can it be collected that day for delivery the first thing the next day?

That information could affect which delivery option is most appropriate and what it will cost.

A good courier should ask these questions rather than simply giving you a price for the first vehicle available.

4. What if the original courier arrangement has gone wrong?

This is where having someone you can actually speak to with experience can make a real difference.

If a collection has been missed, a vehicle has broken down or the original delivery arrangement is no longer going to meet the deadline, the answer isn't simply:

"We can't deliver it today."

There may be other options.

A different vehicle might be available. Another driver may be able to collect. The collection could potentially be made from another location. Or the delivery could be arranged using a different service.

The key is to find out what can be done, rather than simply being told what can't.

5. Give your courier the right information

One of the biggest causes of problems with urgent deliveries is inaccurate or incomplete information.

If you're arranging a same-day delivery, make sure your courier knows:

Collection address
Delivery address
What is being transported
Number of items
Dimensions
Weight
Collection time
Required delivery time
Any access or delivery restrictions

Getting this right at the beginning helps your courier choose the appropriate vehicle and plan the delivery properly.

It can also prevent unnecessary additional costs.

A real example

A situation we regularly encounter is an urgent delivery from a printer.

A vehicle may have been booked to collect a finished print run at a particular time, but production doesn't always go to plan. A problem with the print run can mean the job is delayed and our driver has to wait while it is completed.

Sometimes the situation changes again. An additional item may need to go with the delivery, meaning the vehicle originally booked is no longer large enough.

This is where we don't just leave the customer to sort it out.

We speak to the client to establish the new completion time and, if necessary, arrange for the driver to wait or larger vehicle to collect the additional goods.

At the same time, we check that the recipient will still be available to accept the delivery. With an urgent same-day job, we continue to keep our client updated while the delivery is on the road.

Approximately 20–30 minutes before arrival, we contact the recipient directly to confirm the delivery point, make sure someone is there to receive the goods and give them the latest estimated arrival time.

So even though the original plan may have changed, everyone knows what is happening.

The client can concentrate on getting the job finished. The recipient knows when to expect us. Team Apollo concentrates on getting the delivery there.

That's the difference between simply supplying a vehicle and managing an urgent delivery from start to finish.

So, what are your options when your customer needs it today?

There isn't always one answer.

Depending on the circumstances, you may have the option of:

A same-day dedicated vehicle
For urgent deliveries where getting it there today is the priority.

A different-sized vehicle
If the goods are larger or heavier than originally expected.

A different collection arrangement
If the original collection isn't possible.

An alternative delivery solution
If the original plan isn't going to meet the customer's deadline.

The important thing is to talk to someone who will look at the whole situation and help you work out the most appropriate option.

When the delivery matters, talk to someone who will help

At Apollo, we know that a courier request isn't always simply "take this from A to B."

Sometimes there is a customer waiting.

Sometimes there is a production line that can't stop.

Sometimes a job needs to be completed today.

And sometimes the original plan has gone wrong.

That's when experience, communication and having someone 24/7 who will look at the options can make all the difference.

If your customer needs a delivery today, give us a call.

Tell us what needs moving, where it needs collecting from, where it needs to go and when it needs to arrive.

We treat every shipment as an individual and look at every option with you and help you work out the best way forward.

When your delivery matters, leave it with us.