Checklist: Questions to Ask Your Shippers

Different shippers have different pricing schemes, which means that using only one vendor might not always be the best choice for your business. Your options for overnight delivery are FedEx, DHL, the U.S. Postal Service, Airborne Express, and UPS. Get their pricing schedules, and ask these questions:

- Will you get a refund if the package doesn't arrive on time?

- Do you have to pay a fee to set up an account?

- Do they offer discounts for frequent shipping or membership in trade organizations?

- Do they offer money-saving partnerships? (For example, FedEx offers a 10 percent discount if you charge shipments to an American Express card.)