Five ways to prep for the college shipping surge
Five ways to prep for the college shipping surge
It’s that time of year when excited students are getting ready to head off to college. That means shipping—lots of shipping. From clothes and bikes to TVs and guitars (and those inevitable forgotten items), you can leverage the reliability and affordability of FedEx® shipping. Students and parents will appreciate an easy, stress-free experience for shipping personal and valuable belongings. And you’ll enjoy the extra revenue.
Not sure your store is up for the college shipping test? Complete these assignments to help you ace it.
Get familiar with FedEx shipping services that are ideal for college shipping.
Your customers know what they need to ship, but they may not know the best way to do it. That’s where you can be a huge help. Stay one step ahead by knowing which services are best for items like clothes and supplies. From bulky bedding to fragile eyeglasses, you’ll have solutions for different items, timelines, and budgets.
Have enough packaging and packing supplies on hand.
Be prepared for a surge of college shipping by having the inventory you need. Choose from a wide range of free FedEx Express® packaging and specialty shipping supplies. (Please note that you’ll need different packaging for FedEx Ground® shipments.)
Do your research when it comes to shipping tricky items.
Odd-shaped, fragile, or expensive items can leave some shippers scratching their heads or nervous. Let them know your team has it under control. Learn about our specialty boxes. And browse our how-to guides for tips on shipping specialty items frequently taken to college.
Here are some items you’ll want to study up on:
- TVs or monitors
- Bikes
- Guitars or other musical instruments
- Clothing
- Gaming systems or other electronics
What about computers?
There’s a good chance you’ll be asked to ship a desktop or laptop computer for a student. But if it—or its charger—contains a lithium battery, you’re prohibited from doing so. That’s because lithium batteries are considered hazardous materials.
Let your customer know that FedEx policy and U.S. federal law don’t allow you to ship the item for them. But you can still offer help. Direct them to information online that explains how they can ship hazardous materials with FedEx.
Earn extra credit with our college shipping tips.
You never know when your customers might have questions about the best way to pack an item for shipping it to a college. As a matter of fact, they may not even know to ask the question. This is where you can provide an extra layer of customer service beyond your ability to ship.
To be ready for those opportunities, check out our college shipping tips. You’ll learn why it’s important for shippers to double-check a dorm room shipping address. Why they should ship early, before an assigned move-in date. And how they can protect their items by choosing the right packaging and cushioning materials.
Spread the word—digitally and in store.
Make sure you’re on your customers’ radar when it comes to college shipping. Use free resources from the FASC Marketing Toolbox.
Say it with social copy. Click Social Media Posts and find the copy for back-to-school shipping. Then just copy and paste it into your social platforms.
Put a poster in sight. Click FedEx In-Store Signage and scroll until you see the “Back to School Delight Poster.” Order it. Then place it in a high-visibility location.
So let’s review. The college shipping season is here. With a little prep, you and your team can be ready to give your customers a stress-free shipping experience, even for tricky specialty items. And because you provided A+ customer service, there’s a good chance they’ll come to you next year when it’s time to do it all again.