As we navigate through the reality of the 2024 shipping rate increases, I reflect on the continuous challenge these adjustments present to businesses. With my 27 years of experience in the transportation/logistics industry, I've witnessed the significant impact that shipping costs can have on a company's financial health. I'm here to share firsthand insights and strategies to help you manage these changes effectively. Here's a summary of a more in-depth article that was recently published at … [Read more...]
UPS and FedEx 2022-2023 Peak Season Shipping Costs
It’s peak shipping season. That means shipping with UPS and FedEx is even more expensive than usual. And that’s saying a lot! Both carriers implement seasonal surcharges and bigger fees annually between September and January. You need to know what to expect when shipping during peak season. So, we’ll break down this year’s peak surcharges for both UPS and FedEx and provide you with a list of key dates for guaranteed delivery by Christmas. As if super expensive seasonal shipping wasn’t enough, … [Read more...]
Outsourcing Fulfillment: Bigger Isn’t Always Better Starting Out
Whether you are an entrepreneur, growing business or mature company, the goal in today’s business world is to be bigger and better than our closest competitor. We want to be seen as the ‘leader’ of our industry. One of the primary ways we achieve this goal is through our sales and customer satisfaction … by having top-notch processes. Those ‘processes’ manifest themselves in our ordering, fulfillment and shipping life cycle. Today, you may be fulfilling your orders out of your garage, but … [Read more...]
Using Service Level Optimization to Maximize Profit
In the world of e-commerce, finding and retaining customers is a competitive game that almost every business has to play. From offering products that are of value and on par with others to getting these products into the customer’s hands, each step of the journey is fraught with pitfalls which expose businesses to profit loss or in the worst-case scenario, client loss. Customers expect their products to be delivered faster and cheaper by the day. In order for businesses to compete, they have … [Read more...]
Avoid Bottlenecks: Make Warehouse Pick & Pack Easy
Largely out of necessity, most startup companies perform all functions of running their business, including picking and packing orders. That is a good thing because this function can be one of the most time-consuming and costly pieces of operating your business. But it can also quickly turn into a costly and time-consuming bottleneck during busy times, like the end of the month, holidays, etc. However, it doesn’t have to be that way! Streamlining Your Pick & Pack Process A … [Read more...]
Holiday Shipping Guide
Worried your Christmas package might not make it in time? Don't stress, the good folks at Lojistic have you covered. We've compiled all major UPS, FedEx and USPS deadlines for the holiday season in one useful shipping calendar. Share it with your coworkers, family and friends to make sure your gifts show up on time! Download Graphic About Rich Harkey With 27 years of experience working in the transportation/logistics industry, Rich brings a wealth of experience, knowledge … [Read more...]
How To Become a FedEx & UPS Power User
Small parcel shipping has become an integral part of today’s business environment. UPS and FedEx dominate the parcel shipping industry with a combined market share of over 90 percent. This commanding position allows the carriers to dictate pricing and contract rules. Despite the carriers wielding so much control over its users, well-informed Power Users of UPS and FedEx can still maximize their savings potential. Although there are many similarities in UPS and FedEx contracts and pricing … [Read more...]
6 Best Practices To Prevent Shipping Costs From Eroding Your Margins
Businesses have grown to depend on parcel shipping as a lifeline to consumers and clients. The days of just slapping on a shipping label and sending off a package have given way to a complex maze of service levels, pricing, and intricate fees and surcharges. Over the past decade, UPS & FedEx have increased their ground tariff rates 75% and their air tariffs 81.8%. Those aren’t exactly small numbers. What’s worse, is these figures do not include the infamous Dimensional Weight pricing … [Read more...]