The market is becoming increasingly competitive, and to improve the quality of services provided and value customers, the option of scheduling deliveries has been created as a natural consequence of new trends available in commerce. In scheduled delivery, it is possible for the consumer to choose the best day and time to receive their goods, and the company has an obligation to meet the deadline properly. Its purpose is to provide greater security to the customer regarding the receipt of the product. There are already laws that regulate the operation of this service in some states, and its non-compliance can cause problems for the entrepreneur and several complaints against the company, bringing several negative impacts to the brand reputation.
How important is scheduled delivery?
When a schedule is made, it is possible to make a planning, scheduling and alignment of all demand, ensuring the adequacy of production. A shift scheduling software can help a lot. In logistics, this means greater control of the institution’s operations, as it allows the control and monitoring of warehousing, order preparation and transportation services.
What does the law on delivery scheduling say?
In some countries, specific laws already exist with the purpose of imposing sanctions on commercial establishments that do not offer delivery of goods by appointment, i.e., with predefined day and time, as guaranteed in the Consumer Protection Code. This law has its own specificities depending on each state where it is applied. However, in all cases, there is an understanding, which is the advance scheduling.
At the time of scheduling, a document must be issued confirming the date, shift and identification of the establishment. This identification must include the company name, the trade name, the business address and a telephone number for any contacts. Failure to comply with the law can lead to various penalties, such as blocking activities and paying a fine, and the amount will be set according to each state, and the possibility of the consumer to file a lawsuit against the company.
In states where this law has not yet been implemented, establishments are not yet required to schedule delivery times. However, they must provide at least the day to submit, assemble or install an order, in accordance with the Consumer Protection Code. In addition to products, if the bill becomes law, the type of scheduled delivery will also be required to provide services. According to the proposal presented, the organization may charge for the scheduled delivery or visit, but must show the price of the service at the time of purchase or contract.
What are the obstacles to law enforcement?
There are some obstacles that prevent entrepreneurs from being able to comply with legislation properly. Meet the main ones.
No feasibility study
Several companies and groups of traders complain that, in most situations, municipalities do not conduct a feasibility study before applying the new delivery rule and do not seek to know the opinion of shop owners. Many business owners also report that, as the norm was put, the responsibility for non-compliance with the proposal lies only with companies, regardless of the logistical problems caused by the lack of structure in cities.
Heavy traffic
Many businesses are struggling to deliver their products on a scheduled time in more populous cities and with heavy vehicle traffic, given that in most of these municipalities there is an impediment to certain plates running on some roads for a limited time. Another issue is the ban on the traffic of trucks and other heavy vehicles in the centers or peak hours, which happens in parallel with the car rotation. Automatic barriers are very important in this context.
Therefore, a company that needs to schedule delivery in cities with these characteristics should consider these two factors, which further decreases the chances of delivery at all times and increases the time required to meet them.
