Furniture shopping is at an all-time high as people become homeowners as their tastes evolve to exude a certain class. Independent brands like Godrej Interio, easy-to-assemble furniture brands like Ikea, furniture rental brands like RentMojo and many small furniture brands are products of consumer demand.
Another factor that has nurtured furniture shopping habits is the quality of furniture delivery operations. One negative experience can cause the customer to shift to another brand. Here’s why –
5 challenges faced during furniture delivery operations
Furniture delivery requires special attention and an eye for detail. Most of the time, daily wage laborers are involved in transporting the items who face below challenges:
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Loss of items or damage
There are high chances of your furniture being misplaced during transit. Additionally, they can be damaged and some crucial components may go missing. For customers, this is a disappointing thing because this incurs a further financial loss.
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External conditions
There are external conditions that aren’t under anyone’s control. Weather, road conditions, traffic and other unforeseen circumstances can cause a hindrance in furniture delivery timelines. In such cases, customers can’t be updated in real time about the status of their furniture delivery.
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Driver and handler safety
As important as furniture is, the life of the driver and workers handling your order is equally important. Proper policies, especially insurance, must be taken care of before the furniture is out for delivery.
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Proper installation of furniture
While one team is responsible for delivery, another team is responsible for the installation of the furniture. Timely delivery is always appreciated but when the setup of furniture takes more time than usual, customers may be disappointed in the quality of services provided.
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Storage facilities for furniture
Most furniture is kept in warehouses and people make their selection via brochures or a similar prototype in the store. When they finalize a furniture piece, the next step is to get in touch with the inventory management team for quick dispatch. Also, a good storage facility is a must so the condition of the furniture is intact and delivery is smooth.
What is furniture delivery management?
Furniture delivery management is the process of coordinating and delivering furniture in the best possible way between the seller and the customer. Communication, order processing, delivery routes and conditions, packaging, return and replacement policies, and more are all taken care of. It’s needed to boost customer satisfaction, brand image, sales, and business growth in the industry.
Companies like Zuper have developed state-of-the-art platforms that take care of your furniture delivery services from start to finish.
5 best practices to efficiently deliver furniture
The following practices will ensure that your furniture delivery services will always be top-notch and complaint-free.
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Real-time tracking systems
When you have a real-time tracking system in your company, a major part of delivery issues are immediately gone. GPS tracking can track the location of your delivery trucks and the delivery status of the consignment. This ensures that there is better coordination between the backend team, delivery team and customers. Furthermore, you can provide a clearer picture of the status of the order to buyers.
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Checking route conditions
The route condition is of crucial importance for all furniture businesses. To ensure that delivery services are always optimal, you need to keep a tab on the route conditions so that you can minimize delivery time and fuel consumption.
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Provide expert teams for furniture assembly and installation
Always have a skilled team of personnel who know how to install furniture at the home of the customer. Provide training at regular intervals so that they know their way around different furniture models and types.
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Ensure high-quality packaging
A good way to win over your customers is to package their furniture using high-quality materials. This also reduces the risk of product damage during transit.
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Maintain transparency in communication
Your priority must be to update customers throughout the delivery process. Inform them of possible delays and answer their queries ASAP so that they can be at peace. The more transparent you are with the order status, you are ensuring a positive customer experience.
Implement best furniture delivery practices with field service management software
The furniture delivery industry of today is dependent on technology to provide consistent hassle-free experiences. While customer preferences may change, their need for quick and damage-free delivery will not. If you’re a furniture company looking to revamp your delivery services, book a demo with the team at Zuper to know how our field servicing solutions can help.