Posted by Laura Peterson on Fri, Mar 05, 2010 @ 06:17 PM
Ever heard of the Butterfly effect? No, not the Ashton Kutcher movie, but the metaphor it's based on? The idea is that a butterfly's wings create tiny changes in the atmosphere that could eventually alter the path of an entire weather system! Okay, way too deep. Let's refocus.
Ever ponder how your decision to choose OnTrac affects a whole lot more than just packages getting from point A to point B? Think about it.
Customers get their orders faster and for less cost, which creates a positive impression and a higher chance for repeat business. Repeat business turns into capital, infrastructure, jobs, household brands, you name it.
Rather stick to numbers? No problem. Here's the math:
Next-Day Shipping Rates from Los Angeles, CA to San Francisco, CA
Weight
| OnTrac | FedEx | UPS |
| Letter | $11.95 | $23.40 | $21.70 |
1 lb.
| $16.50
| $34.05 | $31.60 |
| 5 lbs. | $20.70 | $50.35 | $46.70 |
| 10 lbs. | $26.65 | $68.60 | $63.60 |
15 lbs.
| $34.10 | $86.65 | $80.35 |
And, that doesn't even include the money you save on all the fees. Here's a look at one of the dozens of fees you're avoiding by choosing OnTrac:
Daily Long-Term Savings of No Residential Delivery Fee
| Volume | Per Day
| Per Month
| Per Year
|
| 100 | $250 | $5,500 | $66,000 |
| 250 | $625 | $13,750 | $165,000 |
| 500 | $1,250 | $27,500 | $330,000 |
| 1,000 | $2,500 | $55,000 | $660,000 |
| 2,000 | $5,000 | $110,000 | $1,320,000 |
Sure, there are more variables in the business equation, but choosing the right shipping company can be a big part of your success. A low cost, high-quality carrier can easily be a game-changer; not only in a bad economic environment, but a good one too.
But hey, you're already shipping with OnTrac so this is old news.
Fewer fees add up to BIG savings! See a fee comparison of the most common surcharges here.
Posted by Laura Peterson on Fri, Feb 19, 2010 @ 05:30 PM
Thank you to everyone that participated in the "Share the Love" contest! We had so many great stories about OnTrac and "different" packages that have been shipped. Some packages were strictly for business and some were of a more personal nature.
Thank you to everyone that participated and commented on the blog. We appreciate it and were happy to see that the feeling is mutual with many of you.
With so many great stories, we decided add a few things to our contest. We are still awarding the red iPod nano. But we have two runner up stories as well that will receive $50 in American Express Gift Cards. And everyone else that submitted a "Share the Love" story will receive an OnTrac 1G Flash Drive.
So, the winner of the red iPod nano is....
Jake Greidanus from 1.800.RADIATOR!
Here is Jake's winning story:
OnTrac always make our franchise the hero of the day. We will get calls late from other warehouses to ship out parts because they know and trust myteam to make it happen. This, in turn, puts dollars in both of our pockets. Your competitors simply can not compete with the flexibility and willingness of your Visalia Team! Also, my HIGHEST respect and praise for Lucy and Becky- they have an awesome attitude and work ethic. They go above and beyond whenever we ask! -Jake Thanks, Jake!
When we spoke to Jake about winning the iPod, he said that he truly appreciates how flexible our service is and loves the fact that we can work together so harmoniously. He says some of his customers refuse receiving FedEx packages because of their historic damage rate and whenever he uses OnTrac he doesn't need to worry because it's all good. Thanks again, Jake!
Our two runner up stories are:
1) I work for a national medical distributor, last week at our yearly meeting we started to compare shipping numbers and dollars, which was a new thing for us. My region stood out from the others. Not just in numbers, but in dollars. Ontrac made me look so good, I'm now in charge of planning our companies shipping operations going forward. I was literally seen as someone ahead of the game and the envy of every other Regional Manager due to Ontrac's incredible service and pricing. As companies are incurring reduced margins, the type of savings a company like Ontrac can add to the bottom line are invaluable. -Tim R.
2) A few months back, I received a call from one of my co-workers. She asked me if she could send out a personal package. I let her know that as long as she paid for it, then yes. She came up to the front and handed me the package filled with photos and little trinkets. I noticed she had tears in her eyes. She told me that the box was for her husband who was to deploy from a base here in California and she wanted him to have these items to give him a sense of home wherever he was. I was fighting back tears while putting this package together, and I have to say that was the best package I have ever sent out with you guys. -S.T.
These two winners will receive $50 in American Express Gift Cards. And, since we wanted to "Share the Love," everyone that commented will receive a 1GB OnTrac Flash Drive.
Congratulations to all the winners and thanks for "Sharing the Love!"
We will post new contests here periodically, so check back often or go to ontrac.com.
Posted by Laura Peterson on Fri, Jan 29, 2010 @ 04:42 PM
Valentine's Day is coming up and a great day to "Share the Love." Everyone likes to receive gifts on Valentine's Day. Chocolates are always a favorite and Mom usually likes flowers and cards. OnTrac has a team of people that are ready to deliver all of your Valentine's Day gifts. And, if you're a last minute shopper, use OnTrac Saturday Delivery to get the flowers to Mom right on time. 
We thought we would "Share the Love" by starting a new contest.
Share with us your favorite item you have sent or received via OnTrac by commenting on this blog.
The contest ends on Valentine's Day. The winner will be selected on Monday, February 15th from all posts on the blog. The winner will receive a red iPod nano!
For more information about all OnTrac Shipping Services, go to ontrac.com.
Posted by Laura Peterson on Tue, Jan 19, 2010 @ 05:59 PM
It is so frustrating when the customer you shipped something to doesn't think the package is there. You've gone to the trouble to ship it overnight. You packaged it up, scheduled a pickup and tracked it all the way there. Your customer can't find it, doesn't think it was delivered and now she's mad at YOU!
Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could easily see who signed for the package so you could tell your customer? Well, now you can with OnTrac. As an OnTrac customer, you can sign up for our online shipping software, WebOnTrac. It's free and allows you to print shipping labels, view shipments and other reports and manage your address book - all online.
And now, you can also see the signature of the person who signed for the package. When you send a shipment and mark it signature required, a free service from OnTrac, we'll post the signature of the person who signed for the package online with the details of the shipment. All you need to do is log into your account, click on view shipment, select the package and the actual signature appears at the bottom of the screen (see image below).
It's that simple and you can tell your customer who signed for the package at their location. For more information, visit ontrac.com.
Look for a new contest coming at the end of January!
Posted by Laura Peterson on Tue, Jan 05, 2010 @ 12:19 PM
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We would like to extend warm wishes to all of our customers. We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!
Posted by Laura Peterson on Fri, Dec 18, 2009 @ 12:00 PM
Typically speaking, we like to say, "Yes," to our customers, helping them meet their needs for overnight delivery in California, or overnight delivery in Nevada, or Arizona or anywhere in the six western states we serve.
But while we say, "Yes," to you, we suggest you say, "No, " to the laundry list of add-on fees our competitors like to pile on top of your shipping charges.
Residential Delivery fee? Say, "No." Use OnTrac and save $2.50.
Signature Required fee? Respond, "No," and keep another $1.75 to $3.00 in your pocket.
Invalid Account fee? Okay, you made a simple error and wrote down the wrong account number. That'll cost you $10 with the other guys.
Residential Delivery Area Surcharge fee? Save $2.50 per package. In an extended area? Save $2.75.
Commercial Delivery Area Surcharge fee? For goodness sake, isn't just about every package going to a residential or commercial delivery area? What's left the North or South Poles? Anyway, hang onto another $1.70 per package by using OnTrac instead of the other guys.
We have fees it's true. But our competitors almost seem to have fees for their fees. No matter, you don't have to worry about them all. All you have to do it just say, "No," to them and, "Yes," to OnTrac.
Posted by Laura Peterson on Tue, Nov 24, 2009 @ 04:04 PM
Our "Be A Box Office Superstar" contest went very well! We asked customers to take a picture next to an OnTrac Drop Box. We got many great pictures and had difficulty choosing, but here they are.
The winners each received a New 4GB iPod shuffle! Everyone that submitted photos with an OnTrac Drop Box received a 1GB OnTrac flash drive!
The iPod shuffle winners are...
Janelle Rose, El Dorado Hills, CA
Sue Duncan, Fresno, CA
Krista Carter Bowman, Oakland, CA
Chris Hibbeln, Sacramento, CA
Jennifer Bereta, Modesto, CA
Remember, when you use an OnTrac Drop Box, you save the $3.95 pickup fee. To find a box near you, use our Drop Box Locator at ontrac.com.
Thank you to everyone who submitted photos!
Posted by Laura Peterson on Wed, Nov 18, 2009 @ 05:47 PM
Okay, you won't get a walk down the red carpet, the paparazzi won't be tripping over themselves angling for your photo, and people won't be hounding you for your autograph (at least we don't think they will).
But you can still be a box office superstar or at least a star in your office by using one of our convenient drop boxes. And, you might win an iPod shuffle at the same time.
Whether you need overnight delivery in California or overnight delivery in Nevada or anywhere else in Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Utah, we've got drop boxes conveniently located for you. Over 1,200 of them!
Downtown LA? More than a dozen places for you to make your Hollywood debut. Sunny San Diego? We've got the coast covered with more than 30 boxes. Vegas, baby? Odds are we've got a drop box near you. San Francisco? Nearly two dozen in downtown alone and dozens more throughout the Bay Area.
Getting the Drop on High Shipping Costs
You already know our rates are amongst the lowest around. Using one of our drop boxes, you can save even more money; in fact, save $3.95 each time your drop it in the box compared to an on-call pickup.
They're easy to find: Use the Drop Box Locator on our website, or call us at 800.334.5000, where we have transportation professionals waiting to help.
Get Your Glam On
To get your drop box office career started and to show you just how quick, easy and convenient using our drop boxes can be, we've cooked up a little contest for you.
- Locate a drop box nearest you. They look just like this.
- Snap a digital picture of yourself next to the box.
- Email the photo to us at dropbox@ontrac.com.
We will pick 5 smiling faces that drop into our inbox with our drop box as your co-star. The 5 winners will have their pictures posted on our Facebook page and email newsletter. Plus, the winners will receive an iPod shuffle! Hurry, we are only accepting photos on Thursday and Friday, November 19th and 20th. Please be sure to submit contact information along with your picture. We have to be able to get a hold of you to send you your iPod shuffle!
Now, get out there and get ready for your closeup. Maybe there isn't an Oscar in your future, but there could be an iPod shuffle!
Posted by Laura Peterson on Wed, Nov 11, 2009 @ 06:09 PM
Knowing the location of your shipment gives you the peace-of-mind that your package will arrive safely and on time. Regional carriers are committed to providing you the most accurate and timely package tracking available.
Using industry-leading tracking capabilities and the latest in scanner technology, regional carriers let you see a complete history of your shipment's journey. The key component to obtaining the latest information is the tracking number, which usually can be found near the barcode on the waybill. A hand-held device is used to scan the waybill each time it reaches a milestone in its journey, recording all details from pickup to delivery.
Carriers make tracking information available in many ways. You can request tracking details by calling or emailing your carrier's customer service department or you can typically track a package online.
Some of the scans you might see when tracking your package online are:
Picked Up from Shipper - A Service Provider has picked up your shipment, scanned it, and will transport it to the nearest facility.
Package Received at Facility - Your shipment has arrived at a local facility and will be departing to its destination soon. The second scan shows that your package has arrived at the facility that will deliver your shipment.
Out for Delivery - Your shipment is on a delivery vehicle and is en route to its final destination.
Delivered in Good Condition - Your shipment has been delivered and proof of delivery is available.
Detailed tracking information is only part of the shipping experience. A good customer service group can add the custom touch of relaying a change of address, providing proof of delivery or signature information which gives you the confidence of knowing that your package has arrived safely.
Posted by Laura Peterson on Fri, Nov 06, 2009 @ 03:54 PM
This year, even Santa will be tightening his belt. 
Odds are Santa Claus won't be laying off any reindeer this year, but that doesn't mean the supreme overnight shipper isn't watching his shipping budget more tightly than ever before. You can too.
Trimming holiday shipping costs can be as simple as trimming the tree if you know what you're doing.
Begin with a little carrier comparison shopping.
Look for carriers that serve the geographies that many of your shipments go to. For instance, if your packages are being shipped for overnight delivery in California, a carrier specializing in that area will get your packages there as quickly as the national carriers and for less cost. And, since they don't put packages on planes, there is less fuel cost as well, which is good for you and great for the environment.
Consider total shipping costs for all your shipments, not just the weight charge per package.
Unless you really like that holiday day-after surprise when your shipping invoice arrives and all your $13.95 shipments turn out to really be $25.50, you'll soon discover the tree isn't the only thing that got flocked this year.
The big carriers have discovered the profitability of surcharges, the hidden fees that add up to big dollars for simple requests like getting a delivery confirmation. The major carriers have more than 85 accessorial fees. Good regional carriers keep things much more simple with only a few additional fees.
Look for Flex Appeal
Carriers that offer later pickups, can help ensure that those last holiday packages are shipped and make it on Santa's sleigh.
Leverage the Web
Look for a carrier that gives you time-saving website tools to make shipping easier from end-to-end. Instant rate quotes, waybill printing, tracking packages and email notifications should all be readily available.
Who knows? You might just save the company enough dough to treat yourself and the team to a little holiday cheer.