How to make the best of delivery exceptions

Picture this. You sent out a package to one of your loyal customers a couple days ago. You elected for shipping that should have it arriving in only a couple of days. After all, customers these days expect their packages in two days or less. Time is money, and you don’t want to be left behind the curve. You idly swipe into your FedEx app to check where your package might be, just to make sure you’re on top of everything, but to your shock, your parcel has run into a delivery exception meaning that it won’t arrive on time! What can you do in this situation, and how can you prevent it from happening? Read on for the ins and outs of the exception delivery status, and how to navigate it the next time it affects your business.

What does shipping exception mean?

When you read that your package has an exception, it’s normal to be confused and wonder exactly what caused it. The truth, however, is that there can be a variety of reasons for the delay. Inclement weather, infrastructure blockages, technology issues, and problems with the label on the package can all affect delivery times. When it comes to a delivery exception incorrect address labels, for example, are an especially prolific culprit.

How can you prevent a shipment exception?

Unfortunately, as long as you make sure your package is labeled properly, there’s little you can do to prevent the kinds of events that delay a parcel. However, no matter which courier service you go with, you should be informed of any delays in service right away. You may have a FedEx shipment exception or a UPS exception meaning that you can receive both email and text alerts, as well as check updates online. Once you get the alert that a parcel may be a bit late, the smart thing to do is to relay that information directly to your customer to make sure that there are no nasty surprises. Alternatively, if your order management software supports integrations, you can set it up so that these notifications are automatically passed on. This keeps your customer happy, in the know, and less likely to have a negative experience, even though the items they wanted might be a couple days late. We here at P2Pseller offer an excellent solution that will keep both you and your customers informed. Register a free account with us today to check us out.

What if my package is nowhere to be found?

If the worst happens and a package exception leads to the realization that your box has gone missing entirely, not to worry. As long as you have insurance, you can claim the value of the package so you can send out a replacement without eating into your bottom line. If you don’t have insurance, check with your preferred courier partner. You may have the ability to claim a certain amount back anyway, a sort of blanket insurance that’s offered to all customers as part of the shipping price.

In conclusion

No one likes to hear that their delivery has been interrupted. But as long as you stay on top of your notifications and send any information to the customer as soon as possible, you can avoid most of the headaches that come alongside these unfortunate events.