There are many  reasons  shipping errors occur.  These include picking the wrong product in your warehouse and then shipping it.  It could mean shipping the wrong quantity of a specific item.  It can also mean shipping your products to the wrong address.

Regardless if you are a small, medium or even larger company any shipping error will cost you.

 

Loss of Future Orders

In the event of a customer that placed even a small order and received the wrong product, it is an unsatisfactory experience.  Although “mistakes happen” in today’s economy, no matter what your remedy is, you may have lost potential repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals in addition to your own costs.

Charge Backs from Major Retailers or eCommerce Giants

Now, when you start playing with the “Big Boys” such as High Volume Retailers you are going to lose even more.  If you ship the wrong item, quantities or miss a promise date not only do you need to remedy the situation but you may receive a “Charge Back!”  Other reasons for Charge Backs include improper labeling of your products, boxes, packages or pallets, damaged merchandise or even improper packaging of your products according to agreed upon terms.

Double Check It Before You Ship It

Geez, it seems rudimentary but it really pays to make sure you have the correct procedures in place so you do not incur the shipping error expense.  If you cannot afford a warehouse management system and bar-coding solution in your operations, at minimum you should not only double check each shipment but have specific individuals checkers “bless” any shipment  before it goes out.

Here is a free DCSCInc._Shipping The Wrong Item_Work-Sheet to help gain an understanding of the costs associated with shipping the wrong item.