Meeting Unique Needs with White Glove Delivery Services

The logistics industry has systematized shipping with a great deal of precision. Whether you are shipping full truckload or LTL freight, you can find a carrier to meet your needs. Sometimes, though, a product requires special handling beyond what is normally provided. You may need a white glove delivery service to ensure the integrity and timeliness of your freight.

What Is White Glove Delivery?

White glove delivery services are final-mile transportation services that go beyond standard delivery. They provide the most tailored experience to shippers with unique needs once their freight reaches the end customer. If you have fragile or time-sensitive goods, white glove delivery may be the best way to ensure your freight arrives safe and intact, especially since freight damage commonly occurs during unloading.

Less freight damage has a benefit beyond the obvious cost savings. White glove delivery service helps reduce returns. Reverse logistics become more manageable when customers return fewer units. That means fewer products need to be refurbished or sent to the landfill. It doesn’t hurt that happy customers are more likely to become repeat customers!

Many industries use white glove delivery services. Commercial white glove delivery services are commonly used for medical devices, store fixtures, and electronics. For products like medical devices, white glove delivery services may go as far as to include guidance on installation or placement in a specific area of a medical facility.

Shippers who supply brick-and-mortar retailers use white glove services if a store lacks a dock. Freight may need to be unloaded using other means. Sometimes products require special displays within a store. White glove delivery may include setting up the display and stocking the inventory. The removal of packaging may be part of such white glove delivery services.

White glove services prevent damage to delicate products. Consumer electronics such as fitness equipment and computers require gentle handling and careful storage. White glove delivery services keep freight safe until they hit store shelves.

Options for White Glove Delivery

Given how many industries use white glove delivery services, you can imagine how many different types there are. All white glove delivery services are based on careful attention to detail. Carriers meticulously follow directions regarding the handling and storage of freight. This is critical for fragile and temperature-sensitive products.

Custom packaging provides an additional way of protecting freight. A white glove delivery service will ensure that freight has appropriate packing materials to keep it from shifting during transportation. By packing freight carefully, carriers prevent damage from moisture or cargo shifting during transport.

White glove delivery keeps freight intact upon reaching its destination as well. Rather than unloading at a dock, white glove delivery can include much more specific delivery site information. Upon freight’s arrival at its destination, a white glove delivery service will bring it to a specific location within a store or warehouse facility.

Site inspection is another service that can make white glove delivery a good option. Carriers can inspect a delivery site to make sure it fits the needs of the freight. For example, they can check for an adequate power supply if one is needed.

What Factors Should You Consider with White Glove Delivery?

When you are requesting white glove delivery service, there are some important factors to consider. First, you need to consider whether your freight needs special treatment during transit and delivery. If you’re shipping sensitive machinery, for example, white-glove delivery may be necessary. Still, it’s useful to know what questions to ask your carrier or third-party logistics provider (3PL).

You may need freight delivered within certain time restraints. Many retailers and warehouses receive shipments within prearranged windows. Freight delivered via white glove services may require more specific appointments. Communicate that to your carrier or 3PL upon booking to verify that they can accommodate your freight’s requirements.

Regardless of whether you use white glove delivery services, your carrier should provide a tracking method. The nature of the products requiring white glove delivery makes real-time tracking especially valuable. With fragile and time-sensitive products, it is best to keep all parties on the same page. A 3PL should have a transportation management system that makes this possible.

Cost will be at the top of many shippers’ minds when considering white glove delivery services. The cost, however, can vary given how tailored these services are. To get an accurate quote, provide your carrier or 3PL with the exact dimensions of the freight. They will also need to know details regarding the accessibility of the delivery site and whether special equipment is needed. Any site inspection or installation upon delivery may factor into the cost as well.

Requesting White Glove Delivery with First Call Logistics

Are you interested in requesting white glove services for an upcoming delivery? Working with an experienced third-party logistics provider is the best way to ensure your unique needs are met. Contact First Call Logistics today! Our team will work to create a strategy that ensures your final mile shipments are delivered on time safely.