What to ask when shopping competing courier services:

UNISHIP COURIER SERVICES originated in Bangor, Maine and has been operating professionally for over 30 years, covering the state. Over the course of time, different courier companies have come and gone and these days, there are courier companies with distant headquarters in other states that have tried to provide courier services from afar. Many of those courier companies promote themselves as if they are providing comparable services. Here are some questions you can ask when researching which company you want to help you transport your goods from here to there.

ARE YOUR COURIERS ON-STAFF or INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS?
There can be a big difference between hiring an out-of-state courier company that hires independent contractors and a company like Uniship who only fields staff drivers. Independents may or may not have years of experience at the company, may or may not be uniformed and bonded, and may or may not be as invested into the highest positive outcome possible. At Uniship, we’ve been here for over thirty years and our drivers are well-known, highly reputed and invested into your best interests and outcomes. If there’s ever an issue, there is instant communication and accountability with a commitment to consistency, customer service and successful outcomes.

IS YOUR OPERATIONAL HEADQUARTERS BASED IN MAINE, OR AT LEAST NEW ENGLAND?
More and more long distance courier companies have identified this market as an opportunity market and have been reaching into the area from increasingly distant headquarters across the country. Uniship is Maine-owned and Maine-operated with a considerable investment into the growth and development of Maine and the surrounding New England region. When you need to reach those in charge, you are assured of instant and easy access, and can also be easily accommodated for person-to-person connection and interaction.

ARE YOUR COURIERS UNIFORMED & THE COMPANY BONDED?
Bonded and insured vehicles, uniformed and trained drivers, means you can expect professionalism, skill, safety, trust, dependability and accountability. Make sure your courier company only fields properly insured, prepared and equipped drivers and vehicles.

ARE YOUR VEHICLES CURRENT MODELS and WELL-MAINTAINED?
A courier vehicle will park on or near your premises. It ought to be modern, maintained, cleaned and safely equipped. The appearance and condition of the vehicle (as well as the courier) is as much a reflection on your business as it is the courier company. Make sure to inquire about the make and model of the vehicles that will be deployed in service to your needs. All of Uniship’s fleet are 3-years old or newer, maintained in-house, and handsomely finished with company logo and uniform colors.

DO YOUR COURIERS HAVE EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH COMPANIES LIKE OURS?
Not all courier work is the same. It’s better not to assume the courier company has actually handled the type of materials you need transported. There may be special procedures or professional insights that apply. Ask the courier company if they’ve ever transported similar goods or industries in the past.

DO YOUR COURIERS HAVE TRAINING & EXPERTISE TO HANDLE MEDICAL TRANSPORT?
Medical Transport is critical and includes multiple procedures and specialized training not commonly found in other types of transport. Make sure you verify that the courier in question has significant experience in handling time and temperature sensitive specimens, lab work and other medical-related items.

WHAT ARE YOUR LATEST PICK-UP & DELIVERY SUCCESS RATE PERCENTAGES?
Not all courier companies regularly screen, test or evaluate their success rates and some may not want to know, but success rates are vital and help generate confidence that your transport items will actually be picked up when they’re supposed to be and delivered to where they’re supposed to go – on time and undamaged. Accidents and mishaps do happen, but for the best companies, the fail percentages are low and the success percentages are high. The best companies have protocols in place and under constant refinement in service to being safe, dependable and on-time. Uniship regularly scores over 99% success and in one recent test area, scored 99.4% success.