Posts tagged: Small Parcel Audit

Overview 

Late shipments are something that shippers should be paying attention to. Shippers have to take necessary action steps to improve their KPIs and cut down costs.

What will you know from this article

• An overall insight into how to identify late shipments and the need for identification, through market research.

• Financial impact on shipment costs.

• How to submit claims to carriers.

• The role of audit firms in the identification and submitting claims through a variety of software tools.

How can Audit firms help the shippers

We will discuss the need for shippers to make a strategic decision whether to go with audit firms or not. Lastly, we shall talk about the audit firm’s add-on services offered, compensation models, and how firms deploy security measures to protect the confidentiality of sensitive customer information.

We hope this article surely helps you to take your current business to the next level just by implementing some of the best practices discussed in detail below.

Let’s deep dive on, what are late shipments and how would you identify a late package?

In the current context even if we try to know we cannot find out if the package is delivered on time. Most of the time, it is very difficult to identify, and this is where the tools come into the picture. The best-in-class tools produce the best result.

What is the need to identify late packages?

• For explanation purpose, we would like to categorize the reasons into two: First and foremost is the performance of a company depending on how well they are satisfying their customers. Customer satisfaction depends on a better price, quality product, and product on-time delivery. On-time delivery plays a pivotal role in the success of a company. But identifying the late packages is one of the KPI for the company’s growth.
• The second reason is the huge unimaginable revenue potential. Most of the carriers offer GSR (Guaranteed Service Refunds) for shipments not delivered on time. If in case they don’t fulfill the promise, the carrier would offer a refund on shipping charges. However, they just don’t refund the money just like that. There is a process built around for claiming for refunds, on which this article is built upon.

Submitting Claims for late shipments:

The main catch for submitting the claims is, these usually have to be submitted within 15 calendar days of product delivery or invoice date. Usually, most companies simply don’t have time to pursue these. The majority of shippers don’t even realize that they are leaving money on the table. This is because any shipment if delivered even a minute late to committed time is considered late. The shipper is entitled to a refund for such late shipments. Research reveals that Late shipments recoveries can recoup up to 3% of shipper’s costs. However, handling these claim submissions is a little time-consuming. It involves identifying the late packages, process them in the system and submit for claims. This is where audit/recovery firms come into the picture.

Role of Audit firms :

Audit firms analyze each package, identify late packages using their software tool, and submit claims on the behalf of the shipper. They just charge a contingency fee based on the savings made. The percentage of recoveries generated by shippers versus audit firms varies significantly as audit firms have processes in place, complete domain knowledge, tools in place, and manpower to implement. The higher percentage of credit received depends on the proficiency of the audit firm.

How Audintel can help you :

AUDINTEL is a one-stop solution that delivers a secure small parcel audit platform by using proprietary Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive predictive analytics, hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS), the best in class cloud hosting provider. AUDINTEL’s 36-point parcel audit is the most proficient auditing process currently available, and its ability to maximize credits from your carriers is very unique. AUDINTEL’s small parcel audit disputes all eligible late deliveries and any other mischarges tied to the package. For further queries, please reach out to [email protected].

Shipper’s decision-making evaluation:

Depending on the volume of shipments, a shipper can approach the audit firm for helping them in recovering the percentage of their costs. After thorough market research, the shipper should be finalizing the company. It constitutes a team with an immense knowledge base and has shown proven results. Audintel has a fully automated monitoring system and has security controls in place. The client’s shipping data consists of customer names and addresses and hence should be kept confidential.

On the same lines, Shippers should also be checking on add-on services offered by the audit firms to justify the cut offered. Add-on services may include rate audit (whether the carrier is applying the correct rate and is not charging unnecessary surcharges), Audit platform access, reporting, and maintenance. The contracts between shippers and auditors may vary from shipper to shipper. The compensation plan may vary from gain share split/contingency basis to a flat rate per transaction, whichever suits the shipper.

Conclusion:

To conclude, customer service is of prime essence, a satisfied client means you are satisfied. Hence, it is highly encouraged for shippers to not sign a waiver on GSR with any carrier. Additionally, you ensure that you get refunds for late deliveries. For further queries, please visit Audintel or contact us at +1 (619) 354 8539 or mail to [email protected].