Tag Archives: Courier Services

Need a Legal Document to be Filed A.S.A.P.?

August 7, 2015

Most residential real estate transactions in Ontario close within 30-90 days, which may not seem like a long time to the eager buyers – but legally speaking, is really a very short time span in which dozens of details need to be processed behind the scenes. While the move is toward electronic filing of important documents, many others – such as the Agreement of Purchase and Sale itself and the Status Certificate in the case of condominiums – are typically still paper-based, and need to be reviewed by a number of professionals to ensure the deal closes as stipulated.

Commercial Real Estate Documents

For commercial real estate deals, the document burden is only intensified, according to The Law Society of Upper Canada. Though commercial deals do usually take longer to close, there are a tremendous amount of forms to be prepared and delivered ‘in a timely manner’ as per a complex closing agenda. Equally as important as speed is document integrity: an original property survey, for example, may be a delicate sketch nearly a century old, while other documents like amendments and schedules may quickly lose legibility if they are repeatedly scanned and emailed back and forth between parties for signatures and changes. In both cases, documents need to move quickly and safely to preserve their integrity.

Choose the Right Courier

What is the solution? For legal documents, when every moment counts, Power Link Expedite is there to make sure your records are delivered on time, and in their original state. We offer a variety of service levels to meet your needs, so you can choose which service is most economical depending on your requirements. From Super Direct courier services in Toronto that delivers your documents anywhere within Canada or the United States as quickly as humanly possible, to same-day delivery which ensures your papers arrive by end of business, we have a service that fits. And for your convenience when filing paperwork with government agencies, whose front desks often close before 5, we offer several rush services with guaranteed delivery within 1-4 hours. Simply have your parcels ready by the ample cut-off times and one of our professional couriers will deliver your shipment right away. Real estate closings aren’t the only legal matters where time is of the essence. Law firms that don’t respect the needs of their demanding clients risk losing those clients – so whether it’s serving a party with divorce papers or responding to legal action within a specified time frame, it makes sense to entrust your essential legal documents to a reliable courier services in Toronto you can trust to keep them safe, confidential, and delivered within strict timelines.

We Can Deliver Legal Documents Fast

Power Link Expedite understands the urgency of the documents you’re sending, because our client roster includes many law firms who have registered accounts and use our speedy, reliable courier services in Toronto on a daily basis. When Canada Post simply isn’t enough, you can trust Power Link Expedite for all your urgent document delivery needs.

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Important Documents You Can’t Forget While Getting Your Products Shipped to US

August 6, 2015

You’re in the big leagues now – shipping your finished products to the US in something bigger than an envelope. While an eager market ten times the size of this one can seem heaven-sent, remember that there are only three certainties in life: death, taxes, and paperwork. You will certainly need plenty of the latter when using courier services in Toronto to ship to the US. So, should you leave all the documentation to your freight forwarder? Even if you do turn this task over, it’s still good to know what important documents will be required to get your products across the border successfully.

Your International Shipping Documents

  • Commercial invoice: This is the primary document used for reporting because it outlines how much your buyer is expected to pay for your goods, so it’s a true representation of value and therefore useful for calculating any customs duties.
  • NAFTA Certificate of Origin: Whether you’re old enough to remember Meech Lake or not, the historic accord between Canada, Mexico and the United States means that if your shipments qualify, your products will enter the country duty-free! This certificate provides proof.
  • Bill of Lading: This document lists exactly what you are shipping to the US and specifies the transport terms. It also acts as a receipt for the goods and a title document proving that its owner has title to the goods. For shipping on the high seas, there are actually two different types of Bills: a straight bill of lading and a negotiable one. As the name implies, a negotiable bill of lading can be bought, sold or traded while the goods are still on the ship; customers looking to purchase such a bill should ensure they receive an original copy to avoid problems at port later.
  • Air Waybill: This will come into play when shipping your freight by air.
  • Certificate of origin: This form may be required over and above the commercial invoice, to prove the origin of your export item
  • Inspection certificate: Depending on what and where you are shipping, a third party inspection may be required from an independent testing organization to verify the specs of the shipment
  • Dock/warehouse receipt: When shipping by liner, this is your receipt when the courier services in Toronto domestic carrier moves your goods to the port of embarkation, all ready for its ocean voyage.
  • Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED) must be prepared for shipments through USPS if the value of the contents is over $500, or over $2500 if not using the postal service.
  • Export packing list: Itemizes what is in each individual package, along with its dimensions, weight and measurements…extra proof for picky US Customs agents that you are shipping what you claim to be.
Remember, if you are shipping specialty items like dangerous goods, perishables, or certain types of equipment, additional Customs forms may be needed.

Looking for a Reliable Courier Service for Your Business?

At Power Link Expedite, we assist countless businesses achieve their needs through our state-of-the-art technology, experienced drivers, and high quality customer service.  For over 15 years, we have shipped items large and small across the GTA, Canada and to the US. For more information about how we can help you, visit our website to learn more about our services, or contact us to request a quote, and step up your game to offer quality courier services like the biggest players.

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5 Simple Tips to Prepare Your Delicate Shipments Like a Pro

August 4, 2015

Tips to Prepare Your Delicate Shipments You’ve got the goods. Now you want them shipped. If you have ever stood in line at the post office during the holiday season and seen someone thrust what looks like a football wrapped in twine at the postal worker, you already know how not to pack your goods for shipment. Yet, if what you are sending is fragile or delicate in any way?  What is the best way to have it arrive in one piece? Your first step is to use a courier service as opposed to regular mail. That way, instead of being handled by multiple workers and tossed around different warehouses, your parcel will be carefully taken care of by just one professional in direct transport. But you still have to package it correctly. Follow these simple steps below, and your package will be properly prepared and delivered.

Tip #1:  Use a corrugated cardboard box.

Your box should be:
  • New, or in excellent condition
  • Unmarked. Remove any old shipping labels and strike out other markings
  • Strong enough to hold what you are shipping

Tip #2:  Protect the contents.

It is important to cushion the contents of your package properly.
  • Wrap each item within the box separately
  • Pad the corners, sides, top and bottom of the box with at least 5 cm of cushioning to prevent shock and vibration
  • Use enough cushioning to trap the items so they don’t move around when the box is shaken
  • Use the right protective materials.

Packing Materials

Now is not the time or the place to recycle newspaper or old clothes; protect your delicate shipment by using:
  • Layers of bubble wrap
  • Inflatable air bag packaging (as long as the contents have no sharp edges)
  • Polystyrene peanuts layered at least 5 cm deep on the bottom of the box, separated from your items with a layer of corrugated cardboard, then fill the remainder of the box with peanuts. Not for use with electronic items due to the static electricity they can generate.
  • Foam enclosures that are pre-engineered to conform to the shape of the goods being shipped
  • Spray foam in the appropriate density, which will harden to form a protective mould
  • Tightly crumpled Kraft paper
  • Double box (good for extra fragile items such as glass, ceramics, and electronics)

Step 3. Secure your container properly.

Don’t reach for the duct tape.
  • Use proper packing tape, 2”-3” in width
  • Secure the box flaps with a minimum of three strips of tape

Step 4. Label your package correctly.

After all the care put into packing, don’t wreck things with improper labelling!
  • Include the postal code
  • When shipping internationally or to a PO Box, include a contact phone number
  • Don’t forget the suite number
  • Put the packing slip on the top of the box. Avoid placing it over seams and tape
  • Include your full return address and phone number
  • Place a duplicate shipping label inside the box

Ready to Ship Your Package?

Once your package is wrapped up and ready to go, you need to trust that it’s going to be handled with care and delivered accurately and promptly.  At Power Link Expedite, we know that the items we deliver hold great importance and/or value, and we strive to reach our customers’ expectations.  Whether you’re shipping within the Greater Toronto Area, or to elsewhere in Canada or the US, Power Link Expedite will get the job done through state-of-the-art technology, experienced drivers, and high quality customer service. Contact us today to learn more about our services, or to request a quote, and deliver your package right the first time!

How to Choose a Medical Imaging Courier

July 20, 2015

medical courier serviceEvery night is a new emergency, usually with some romance thrown in to spice things up – but what they don’t show you on TV hospital dramas are the everyday, essential realities of the medical sector. Specifically, how important it is to get your supplies into the clinic, and your samples out, with the greatest possible speed and reliability. If you’re in medicine, you know how important logistics are; fast, reliable deliveries – though perhaps not as exciting as George Clooney’s hair - can literally save lives. Here’s how to choose the best possible medical courier service.

Review Your Shipping and Mailing Needs

While an e-commerce site can go bust if they don’t get the lowest possible shipping prices, the medical establishment has very different needs, and it’s important to keep this in mind when comparing couriers. After all, many courier companies offer low prices, but price typically isn’t the primary concern when it comes to delivering biological samples; speed and reliability are far more important. Review your hospital’s shipping patterns so you can compare apples with apples when looking at courier reviews. A great way to choose a courier, suggests a recent slideshare article, is to get recommendations from other medical clinics in your area and find out what (type of) shipping service they are using.

Investigate Local Couriers

When looking into courier services, there are several areas that must be studied. Ask these questions first to save time, money and hassle later.
  • Resources: does the courier company have adequate warehouse space if needed…a fleet of well-outfitted vehicles…experienced personnel who are trained in the proper biohazard handling procedures?
  • Tracking: does the courier company offer online tracking so you can always see the status of your outbound shipments?
  • Insurance: will your parcels be covered against theft, loss or damage? Is the maximum liability amount sufficient for your cargo? What about service guarantees?
  • References: this part of the selection process is often overlooked in this era of slick online marketing, but the best testimonials come from a delivery service’s satisfied customers, not from the company itself. Ask past and current clientele what the courier’s customer service is really like.

Enter into a Short Term Agreement

The last thing you want is to be locked down into a long term agreement – at least not until you’re sure you have retained the very best delivery service for your clinic. It’s okay to let your courier know that you’re going to give them business on a trial basis and then add more volume once you’ve experienced their services firsthand. One caveat: many courier companies offer discounts for frequency and volume, so if you choose to hold a portion of your business back, you risk higher prices initially. According to a UK infographic, the courier industry is growing all the time, so there is no shortage of choice of medical couriers out there. A little due diligence up front will pay huge dividends for your clinic.

Looking for a Reliable Medical Courier Service?

At Power Link Expedite, we assist countless businesses achieve their needs through our state-of-the-art technology, experienced drivers, and high quality customer service.  For over 15 years, we have shipped items large and small across the GTA, Canada and to the US. Contact us today for more information about our medical courier services.

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Why Small Manufacturing Businesses Love A Courier Service

April 5, 2015

Small Manufacturing Businesses Couriers How can you maintain an edge that keeps your clients coming to you and not the firm down the street – or across the ocean? If you’re a small Canadian manufacturer making products or parts, you already have enough to worry about: the economy, ever-changing technology, shrinking margins, which SEO agency to hire… and of course, the other guys. Competition is fierce, and it comes from all sides. The answer, in a word, is service. If you can’t beat the giants on price, you’d better have something else up your sleeve. In fact, you already do: your clients can call you up and get you on the phone, for one thing. You are responsive to their changing needs, you accommodate special orders, and you offer flexible payment options. Now it’s time to add lightning-fast order fulfillment to your arsenal, with high quality courier services.

Courier Services Keep Your Promises

You make promises every day. Whether you have promised to ship finished units to a client, or parts to one of your own plants for assembly, a trusted daily delivery service can do more than help you keep your word: it can radically improve turnaround times and boost your customer satisfaction to new heights. But doesn’t a courier service cost a fortune? Not necessarily. When you choose courier services, you’re taking advantage of the same kind of impressive network that the big guys have, because good couriers have developed the sophisticated logistics capability needed to serve many small businesses. Using a courier service is often less expensive than taking care of your shipping in-house because you don’t have to dedicate the staff, time, and capital to establishing your own shipping network. And even if your business has the extra money kicking around to devote to a fleet of vehicles, drivers and experienced freight handlers…don’t you have better things to do?

What Small Manufacturers Should Look for in a Courier Service

Not all courier services are created equal. Some small companies are focused on document delivery, for example, as opposed to freight. As a manufacturer, you want a courier service to meet your own unique needs. Look for:
  • Lack of prohibitive size/weight restrictions
  • Vehicle sizes that match the goods you are shipping (cars, vans, trucks that can hold pallets)
  • Reliable, experienced professional couriers
  • Special handling (inside delivery, careful handling of fragile goods)
  • Weekend, holiday and after-hours delivery
  • Various price packages depending on delivery speed and shipping volume, to save you money
  • Online tracking system

Beat the Big Guys

There is a saying in the business world that your clients do business with you because of what you do, but they refer you to others because of who you are. If your clients wanted to deal with the big, impersonal giants, they would; obviously, they like who you are. Keep them happy with great products, great service, and promises you can keep with the help of professional courier services that can support your business.

Looking for a Reliable Courier Service for Your Business?

If you run a small manufacturing service, then you probably know the importance of having your goods delivered on time. At Power Link Expedite, we assist countless businesses achieve their needs through our state-of-the-art technology, experienced drivers, and high quality customer service.  For over 15 years, we have shipped items large and small across the GTA, Canada and to the US. For more information about how we can help you, visit our website to learn more about our services, or contact us to request a quote, and step up your game to offer quality courier services like the biggest players.

Does Your Business Need a Same Day Courier?

April 1, 2015

Does Your Business Need a Same Day Courier- There’s nothing quite like being able to say, “I’ll have it on your desk by the end of the business day.” However, same day courier fees can quickly add up. Does your business really need to use a same day courier or will a slower method – post office, say, or carrier pigeon – do the job just as well?

Benefits of a Same Day Courier

Same day courier service is not for everyone, but it does provide many key advantages over slower courier service, regular post, and other delivery methods:
  1. One driver + one van = smooth, timely delivery. Your package isn’t stopping along the way, getting jumbled in with other mail and potentially getting delayed, lost or damaged.
  2. Speed. No other delivery service can achieve this kind of lightning speed when the package absolutely, positively, has to be there.
  3. GPS-based tracking. Today’s shipping technologies allow clients to track the status of their parcels online in a closed loop between the sender, the recipient, and the courier company.

Who Should Use a Same Day Courier?

Take a look at this list of industries below that typically choose same-day courier service for their business-to-business shipping needs. Does your business appear anywhere on the list? Or do you have other urgent shipping needs that make same day courier services a good fit for your company?
  • Government or other security-based agencies that need fast delivery of their sensitive materials with guaranteed privacy and security
  • Law offices that require important documents (depositions, statements, agreements to purchase, etc.) to be signed with extremely fast turnaround in order to present them in court or finalize contracts
  • Medical clinics, hospitals and healthcare organizations that require fast, secure transport of such specialty items as blood samples and organs for transplant
  • Businesses with satellite offices or important clients scattered across the country, who need to communicate quickly and securely via air freight
  • Businesses transporting delicate and perishable goods
Whether your company falls on the list or not, before you choose a same day courier, it’s important to consider whether or not your shipment is suitable for the service; large freight, for example, probably isn’t. Investigate courier companies to find out about things such as insurance and tracking for your package. And make sure if a signature is required, that your recipient will be available during the same-day window to sign for it.

Are You Looking for a Same Day Courier for Your Southern Ontario Business?

If you need something delivered within Southern Ontario before the end of the day, Power Link Expedite ensures your shipment gets there safely and on time.  For over 15 years, we have helped businesses ship within the GTA, Niagara Region and the Guelph/Kitchener area, and you can feel confident with our experienced drivers, state-of-the-art technologies and dedicated customer service. Learn more about our same day courier services, or contact us today for more information or to request a quote, and be able to follow through with your “end of the day” shipping promise!

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Want Your E-commerce Business to Make More Money?

February 23, 2015

same-day-delivery-servicesNot too long ago, same day delivery courier services was considered a priority service, this however has since changed. As more and more businesses fight for the supremacy of being the leader in on time delivery, major online retailers in the e-commerce industry are fighting all odds to deliver their customers’ orders as fast as they possibly can. Same day delivery is now the norm for many companies and their e-commerce solutions, which retailers such as eBay, Amazon, and Uber are taking full advantage of. While these retailers can afford the associated costs with same day delivery service, many smaller businesses simply do not have the funds or the resources to join in on the booming e-commerce trend.

Benefits of Same Day Delivery

There are many benefits of same day delivery, however, three benefits in particular have a more profound affect than the others. These three benefits are:
  • Time Saving
  • Convenience Factors
  • Productivity Increase
While many of your customers may not have a problem with waiting in long lines for their free delivery services at local post offices, UPS, or FedEx facilities, a large amount of those customers would much rather pay the fees associated with same day delivery service. They can save time on traveling and waiting in line, and if they need the item or document in order to conduct business, they are more likely to need same day service to meet their own needs.

What Same Day Delivery Can Do For You

Every second of every day matters when you are running a retail business. Even if you run an online store, you may not be big enough to have a staff on the clock for 24 hours. That means that you still have some sort of normal operating hours in place. Bringing in new customers and making more sales from them can be achieved by offering same day courier services.

You can benefit from same day delivery service by:

  • Delivering inventory to various store locations: In the long run, this can reduce your shipping costs and the amount of time and effort spent on these activities.
  • Meeting on the fly customer demands: This will improve your customer service and satisfaction level.
  • Immediately delivering to your vendors and partners: Your clients may need products for meetings, trade shows, or even for their own clients, and offering same day delivery service to them will ensure they are able to keep up with their own demands.
Larger companies have the available resources to provide same day delivery, but that doesn’t mean you have to be left out of the trend. You can begin implementing your own same day delivery processes today and show your customers you have what it takes to deliver what they need.  

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3 Major Differences Between Shippers & Couriers You Never Knew

February 20, 2015

courier servicesStrong commerce depends on a reliable transportation and delivery of goods. In your zeal to make sure that your document, product or gift arrives at its destination safely and on time, you may not realize the distinctions between the two options available to you: a shipper and a courier. While the two may appear to be one and the same, they are actually slightly different. Here, we take a look at four key differences between a shipper and a courier.

Transit Times

Many shipping companies have a standard time frame for delivering a range of packages at a flat rate. For example, a small- to medium-sized package may take from 3 to 10 business days to deliver for a set fee while larger packages may have a slightly higher fee and take a bit more time to deliver. Shipping companies typically offer few options for customization. Courier services specialize in custom timing options ranging from three hours to three days and can move anything as small as a folder or as large as an appliance within a short time frame. If you need a package delivered somewhere overnight or within an afternoon, you can choose from a courier's menu of options to see which timing and pricing options work best for you. You get a lot more variety and customization than you would with a regular shipping service.

Clientele

Both shipping companies and courier services cater to both residential and business clients. However, courier services tend to be slightly more geared towards business clients due to their unique shipping needs. A courier service can be equally important for personal use if you have a pressing matter that requires you to have something delivered as soon as possible. Couriers provide a premium service that not only includes shipping but also tracking, signature service and much faster delivery times. You would choose a courier rather than a shipper if the item you are shipping is valuable or sensitive enough to warrant the premium cost.

Drop Point

Courier services usually arrive at your home or office to collect the package from you before delivering it directly to your desired destination. When using a shipping service, you are normally required to drop the package off at a locally operated facility who will then pass your package to a central hub for delivery to its final destination.

Transportation Method

A courier can collect your package in a number of different ways. Large, well-established courier companies may arrive in a truck, van or SUV as they have a large volume of packages to collect and ship. However, for small, personal objects you may hire a bike or motorcycle courier. 

Join 86% of Your Manufacturing Peers that Don’t Use FedEx or Purolator

August 20, 2014

courier servicesBigger isn’t always better.  As businesses develop and expand, quality is often replaced with quantity.  Chances are you have seen a video or two of an employee, from one of the big name shipping companies, mishandling or even throwing a client’s merchandise and then taking off before anyone could notice.  Sure, they’ve been in business for years, but once in a while they seem to forget what it took to get them where they are. More and more people and manufactures are switching from big shipping companies to courier services that provide quality service, and really focus on getting your package to where it needs to be safely and in a timely manner. Continue Reading...