Sometimes, standard delivery isn’t enough. You don’t just need expensive furniture or a store fixture delivered to your business — you need it delivered and set up. That way, it’s ready to use ASAP. When you run into a situation like this, you may require white glove service from your delivery specialists.
Today, let’s dive deep into white glove delivery services and explore when you should use them.
What Is White Glove Service?
White glove delivery service is a “final mile” or last mile delivery with extra value. With white glove delivery, delivery specialists:
- Unload cargo once it is at the appropriate destination
- Take the load inside a home or business building if necessary
- Unload the shipped products for drop-off
- Unbox and uncrate the shipment
- Place the items on the floor or construct/set up the things as necessary
- Remove the packaging materials before departing or handle debris removal
Lastly, white glove service usually includes even more care and attention paid to your packages. For example, suppose you have something fragile you need to be delivered. In that case, white-glove service will guarantee that your high-value, fragile item arrives intact. The white glove delivery shippers or movers get trained to handle things carefully during unpacking rather than tossing boxes around.
In other words, the white glove delivery service is the complete package. You can order something, like a store fixture or piece of furniture as a retailer, then have it delivered and set up by the same people. Some high-quality services prioritize customer experience, so they may let you track the delivery’s status in real-time, use eco-friendly packing materials, or offer other benefits for e-commerce business owners.
You can also understand white glove service by comparing it to other delivery services. Standard delivery service usually requires that a package be dropped off at the destination, outside a home or business, or at a business’s freight loading dock.
Threshold delivery is one step up. The delivery service transports a package from the origin into a home or business, ensuring that the parcel can’t be stolen from the porch or entry. These delivery services usually (though not always) send the intended recipient a photograph of the item if it is not taken by a person inside.
Many logistics companies offer white glove delivery services to customers and clients willing to pay, though only for specific products or materials.
When Should You Use White Glove Service?
Due to their increased average cost, white glove delivery services should only be used for the right jobs. Generally, white glove delivery is best for receiving:
- Furniture, especially if it takes some time to set up
- Large electronics that require care when handling
- Exercise equipment, which can be heavy and require labor to set up
- Store fixtures for your business
- Medical devices, which are often fragile
- Anything else fragile, like unique gifts or decorations
Residential White Glove Service
You can use residential white glove services in a variety of situations, including:
- Curb Service
- Covered Service
- Inside Service
Curb Service
Many Americans can take advantage of residential white glove delivery services. Also called “final mile” services, these white glove services are available in three different tiers from most providers.
The first of these is curb service. This technically barely qualifies as white glove service. With curb service, your freight or package gets left close to the spot wherever the carrier parks its vehicle. This can be the curb, at your front door, or just somewhere on your property.
Covered Service
Covered service is the next tier — it specifies that shippers should leave your freight in a covered, semi-protected area near your property. For example, the delivery specialist might set your package beneath a plant or the roof at your front door, so it doesn’t receive damage from inclement weather.
Note that this service tier can also help reduce the likelihood of theft, as covering the package makes it less likely that someone on the street will see it.
Inside Service
Inside service is authentic white glove delivery. It’s perfect if you want your package delivered inside your residence. As such, you can rest assured that the package won’t be stolen or damaged in transit or upon delivery, even if it shows up while you are away.
Commercial White Glove Service
Although residential white glove service can be convenient and beneficial, delivery companies also offer commercial white glove services. For example, suppose your business doesn’t have a loading dock or the equipment to unload lots of cargo. In that case, you might use a white glove service so the delivery personnel:
- Deliver your products to your store
- Unload the products using a liftgate or other equipment
- Unpackage or uncrate the products
- Set the products up to your specifications
Commercial white glove services are frequently available for small businesses, especially if you order store fixtures or extensive equipment that cannot be transported in any other way.
Bottom Line
White glove service can be pricy, but it can also be more than worthwhile. White-glove service can help you enjoy new furniture or other pricy packages when the situation demands it. It also ensures that your packages get handled with the utmost care and attention.
That’s why it’s a good idea to always rely on a shipping company that guarantees attention to detail and exceptional quality at all times. RPM can help you move anything you need anywhere around the country by connecting your freight with the proper drivers. Contact us today.
Sources:
Everything You Need To Know About White-Glove Service | Supplychain247.com
Last Mile Definition | Investopedia
How to Keep Packages From Being Stolen | Consumer Reports
