Proof of Delivery - A Predominant Segment In Last mile Delivery

E-commerce is a booming industry. With millions of sellers online it is important that you have good logistics to meet the demands of the customers. Every accomplished businessman knows the key to success is establishing a strong customer base, but in order to do that, you need to be loyal to your customers with good services. In a business situation, delayed or misplaced shipments affect company’s bottom line, so the last mile delivery should always be of high predominance. Even if the shipment has reached its final destination, it still needs to be accounted for. The cycle of shipment delivery end with POD and ensures the shipment is delivered to the correct consignee.

The POD is the acronym of Proof of delivery. The POD is an acknowledgment that consignment is being received & taken into one’s custody. It is an official document confirming a proof of purchase. The receiver of the delivered products will only sign if the parcel is in good and undamaged condition. PODs are imperative as accountability is passed from the retailer to the recipient.

Why do we need POD?

POD in last mile delivery is one of the most crucial parts of entire shipment process. In any form of delivery, when shipment leaves the depository and reaches the destination, it is essential that it is received by the concerned person. In some cases, the destination may be office or home. What if no one is there to receive it? Will the shipment be taken back or will it be left at the door? With POD it is easier to claim on shipment delivery. POD documents play major role in resolving disputes, in a case where the consignee disagrees on delivered goods.

If the received package is in a damaged condition, then the claim can be raised within time span given by the courier company along with dissatisfactory remark on the POD. It is always preferable to examine the condition of the shipment before signing the POD.

Paper POD and E-POD

The POD can be classified as the paper POD and E-POD. The most widely used is paper POD, where the delivery person will get the signature of the consignee upon reaching the delivery address. Paper proof of delivery systems can easily be misread if not written clearly or it can be misplaced. In contrast, E-POD or Electronic PODs are used to get consignees signature digitally besides shipping details along with many more customizable options. It is easy to handle and the data can be stored and retrieved accordingly. This halts inappropriate reporting and reduces carbon footprints thereby boosting the efficacy of the operations. The soft copy of  E-POD is sent to the shipper in an email.

POD’s enables one to complete last mile delivery without any complications thereby building good customer retention and satisfaction.