OneRail

Big-Item Couriers: Does Your Big and Bulky Solution Go the Extra Mile?

Have you ever bought a giant new fridge or a comfy recliner and wondered, “How on earth will this get to my living room?” You may be a retailer or a wholesaler, but at the end of the day, you’re human and sometimes play the role of consumer, too. With online carts these days, including everything from Traegers to Pelotons, the pressure is on for delivery services to step up. The objective is to guarantee that customers’ orders don’t just end up on their doorstep, but arrive just when they need them, without turning their schedule upside down, and in perfect condition. 

Plus, the delivery game has gotten smarter, matching the order size with the right vehicle. No more scratching your head as a tiny van tries to squeeze in a king-size bed. Consider this the next time your customer orders a large item, instead of throwing together an 11th-hour solution. Perhaps a big-item courier could take this pressure off your shoulders. 

The Rise of Big and Bulky in E-commerce

The boom in buying big and bulky items is shaking up e-commerce and the way businesses deliver these items to customers’ doors. Beyond strictly sales, big-item couriers are reimagining the whole delivery experience to keep up with relentless expectations.

Market Growth and Trends

Consumers demand more personalized and unique shopping experiences. Retailers aim to provide this by expanding their product offerings with a diverse range of big and bulky items like home furnishings, fitness equipment and outdoor living. Furniture & Home DIY notably has an expected 8.8% CAGR through 2028

More people are investing in making their living spaces both functional and stylish. And when it comes to buying these big and bulky items online, shoppers want the best of both worlds: convenience and quality. They expect their new purchases to arrive in perfect condition without any compromises and want value for money. Sustainability is also becoming a key factor in purchasing decisions, especially for younger buyers like Millennials and Gen Z, who want to know about the eco-friendliness of a products’ material and manufacturing. 

Moreover, the hassle of returning large items stresses the importance of a strong omnichannel experience and reverse logistics. Many consumers prefer to see and test products in person before committing, emphasizing the importance of the ROPO effect (Research Online, Purchase Offline). Conversely, many take the showrooming approach: physically visiting retail stores to research, touch and feel the merchandise before buying it online for cheaper.

Challenges for Big-Item Couriers and Bulky-Item Delivery

Delivering bulky items comes with its own set of headaches. You may have experienced it firsthand, trying to squeeze a sectional sofa into the back of a delivery truck. You need to somehow make it fit while optimizing every inch of cargo space — or “cubing out” — without damaging the goods or injuring the crew. This process becomes even trickier in dense urban areas or places with tight access. Here, the challenge isn’t just the weight; maneuvering big, cumbersome items through narrow doorways or up flights of stairs often requires extra hands or specialized equipment like motorized dollies.

These logistical gymnastics can also hit your bottom line hard. Every inefficiency, whether it’s unloading delays or the additional cost of special equipment, ramps up the expenses. And there’s the rub: customers love free delivery, especially when ordering big and bulky items online. Still, the high costs of last mile delivery for such products make this expectation tough to meet. Retailers find themselves in a pinch, needing to either hike up prices or take these costs on the chin, which can eat into profits and make competing with big players who offer free shipping even harder.

Innovations in Last Mile Delivery for Bulky Items

Picture your big-item courier services operating so seamlessly that every oversized product arrives perfectly on time and in mint condition. Companies are embracing leading-edge tech and specialized services to make this a reality.

Technological Advancements

First, let’s see how embracing new tech can up your delivery game and courier services for large items. Think about using route optimization software and advanced tracking systems to help you plot the quickest, most efficient routes and keep your customers in the know with real-time updates. Imagine your customer’s peace of mind when they can watch their new couch or fridge making its way to their doorstep through live updates. 

Then there’s smart-matching technology, which uses AI to match the specifics of each order — like size, weight and preferred delivery time — with the best courier and vehicle for the job. Always using the perfect driver or right-sized truck for the job cuts down on costs and boosts efficiency. At the same time, the smart tech behind the scenes minimizes delivery mistakes so that even the bulkiest item arrives right on schedule. For you as a retailer or wholesaler, this means happier customers and fewer headaches. A win-win.

Specialized Delivery Services

Stepping up your delivery game with specialized services can also set your business apart and keep your customers returning. Consider white glove delivery services, for instance. Think about it: When your team not only delivers a bulky item but also sets it up, tests it and takes away all the packing mess, you’re offering a standout service that makes your customers’ lives easier. A full-package deal that turns a routine delivery into a stress-free experience is especially crucial for high-end items or electronics, where the setup can be as difficult as the delivery.

Offering these top-tier services does come with its challenges, though. It’s more than just sending out a truck; it requires skilled staff who know how to handle the goods and the right tools to do the job properly. While this can bump costs, the payoff in customer loyalty and brand prestige can be well worth it.  

Customer Experience and Satisfaction

How you handle every step of a big-item delivery matters — from when a customer makes a purchase to when they put their new product to work. Quick updates, real-time tracking and helpful post-delivery support can make all the difference in direct store delivery, and then some.  

The Role of Customer Service

Let’s say you’re an outdoor furniture retailer running your annual winter sale. Suddenly, a customer who had closed on a new home days ago walks in and is itching to furnish their deck. Here is where your proactive customer service shines. Kick things off with proactive updates right after they buy their outdoor furniture set. Being proactive goes beyond notifications and reassures them that they’ve snagged a great deal and everything is on track.

As their new furniture sets off for their home, give them the ability to track it in real time to build excitement and make them feel part of the process as they envision their future gatherings. Once the furniture arrives, keep up the momentum with helpful post-delivery support. Whether offering to assist with setup, checking in to see if they’re satisfied or providing care tips for their new pieces, these thoughtful details turn a one-time shopper into a loyal customer.  

Customer Feedback and Continuous Improvement

Even though the outdoor furniture is on your customer’s deck and looks beautiful, your job is far from complete. For instance, if a customer reports that the delivery was late, it’s valuable insight. You can use this information to tighten up your scheduling or improve how you communicate delays. Positive comments are just as informative. Maybe a customer raves about how well the delivery team handled a storm, confirming that your training on weatherproofing deliveries is on point.

Keeping an eye on key satisfaction metrics like delivery timeliness, the condition of items upon arrival and overall customer happiness helps you measure how well your service meets expectations. Most retailers collect this data through feedback loops, follow-up surveys, direct customer feedback or even monitoring social media chatter. Each piece of feedback is an opportunity to refine your process, enhance the shopping experience and post-purchase experience, and build yourself into a business that flawlessly delivers products and puts the customer first. 

Practical Tips for Enhancing Big and Bulky Delivery Services

When it comes to delivering big and bulky items, a few smart tweaks to your service and last mile logistics can make a world of difference in customer satisfaction:

  • Train Your Team Well: Your big-item courier crew should know the ins and outs of handling heavy items safely and efficiently. A well-trained team moves items quickly and keeps everything from your customer’s door frame to their new sofa in top shape.
  • Smart Carrier Matching: Work with a large-item courier using a carrier-agnostic aggregated network connected to a platform to match the order with the best delivery option — mode or node. Think less guesswork, better handling and fewer headaches for everyone involved.
  • Flexible Delivery Choices: Let your customers choose delivery slots or pick up their items at a local depot. More control over delivery times means happier customers and fewer missed deliveries.
  • Use Data to Your Advantage: Analyze your sales data to spot trends and better predict stock needs. Knowing what your customers want and when helps you keep popular items ready and reduces wait times.
  • Listen to Your Customers: Ask for feedback after every delivery and listen to what your customers say. It’s your most valuable tool for refining and improving your delivery process.

Taking Big Deliveries to the Next Level: OneRail’s Game-Changing Approach

Shipping big and bulky items can be a major headache for your business, but it doesn’t have to be that way. As online shopping keeps growing, finding ways to deliver these goods quickly and safely has become indispensable and easier. It just takes a mix of smart tech, great customer service, clever planning and working with the right big-item courier to turn what used to be a logistical nightmare into a competitive edge.

OneRail shines here, with a revolutionary approach to the big-items game that not only meets the expectations of today’s shoppers, but also blows them away. First is its extensive network of over 12 million vetted drivers. Then, there’s the smart OmniPoint® Platform that does everything from automating rate shopping to matching orders with the perfect courier. Add in OneRail’s Exceptions Assist™ — which keeps an eye on deliveries 24/7 to handle any hiccups — and you’ve got a comprehensive solution that ensures every delivery is on point. And the best part? OneRail has the capabilities to handle every big and bulky delivery challenge nationwide, including large-item courier services for clients like Lowe’s and PepsiCo

Curious how OneRail can help streamline your big and bulky deliveries? Schedule a demo, see for yourself and discover what a real big-item courier looks like.



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