How to thank the shippers?

Question

Ok so my horse is almost here and I'm so excited. I've been really pleased with the shippers so far and I'm trying to find the best way to thank them. Is a simple thank you enough or should I do something more?

Answer 1

Depending on the shipper, they may only take "thank you". If you paid them for their service, then they are giving you what you paid for. IF you are really pleased with them. Recommend this company to other people or post a link to this shipper if you have a blogger, myspace, or website.

Also if they have a website, writing a nice email or letter thanking them for their service or posting your thank-you and the reasons why they stood out on their message board on their website. IE- You took care of my Peaches so well, my horse had a nice peaceful transition thanks to yall. Etc.

Answer 2

tip them, tell them your pleased and will recommend them, write a letter or email. chocolates and cards are a bit too much i think as it is there job anyway not like theyre doing it out of generosity. invite them in for a cup of tea theyd appreciate that after the journey im sure :)

Answer 3

You could take them to dinner. I'm sure they would like that after a long trip. Or just give them a gift card. But really, you're paying them to do a job, so nothing more than a thank you is necessary unless you want to do something more.  

Answer 4

I personally would give them a gift certificate to a restaurant near where you are so that after the long trip they can relax with a nice dinner or something. It's really up to you; you could give them just a simple thank you card as well!

Of course they are getting paid to ship the horses, but I'm sure the nice gesture of saying/giving a thank you will please them very much!

Answer 5

A tip will make them smile~~

You may tip anyone who has provided you with exceptional service... it's your choice.

Have yet to seen it written anywhere that you should not tip a shipper.  Does not matter how many times you use them.  Their profit margins are considerably narrowed as fuel prices continue to  increase.  They're in  business to make a profit and they cannot absorb the loss by  allowing  their charges to remain the same.   They're also between a rock and hard place as their charges cannot become exorbitant because of the fuel crises.  They'd soon be out of business....It isn't only millionaires who ship horses.  



Simple.

A gazillion referrals will not make up for rising costs of fuel.   If every referral shipped through them they might stay even with fuel costs but not every referral will use them.  Just people being people.

Answer 6

These people's job is to deliver your horse safe and sound.  If you feel they have done that job as well or better than their competitors the minimum of telling them exactly that should be done.  Even telling them what you liked best about the interaction and this experience with them would be helpful to them - it's always great when we get reveiwed at work to learn what we did well, and perhaps set us up with a challenge for what we can improve upon - setting goals.  Contracting such a shipper puts you in the "employer" category and them in the "employee" category.  

Likewise, if there was anything that left you a little stressed, maybe point it out and be sure to tell them the importance of it - if it was just a little thing, tell 'em that this one little thing maybe could have been better just in case someone else thinks it but never says it.

Customers often will go away without telling us why - and we always wonder what we could have done better.  A good company will want to know what they could have improved on and what could have been done better.

Is this shipping company run by the people actually delivering the horse or are these people just workers for others that own the company?  If the people doing the delivering are the owners then you have the opportunity to tell the people who care most what you think.  If they are employees of other owners, I would suggest you tell the drivers themselves what you thought of their personal part in the interaction and I would contact the business owners and let them know as well both what great employees they have and what if anything might have been done better.

Do not overly gush nor act arrogant - be very sincere because sincerity will ring true.

A gift is up to you - it should not be expected and should be relative to your knowledge of the people - what would you value if in their place?  A nice dinner on the way home?  A good cup of coffee?   This also plays into whether the drivers are the owners.  If the drivers were the owners and it's a one-person show, I might want to give them a little more like a gift card to a dinner place or a Visa or MC gift card to use for dinner where they want on the way home or another day.

If the drivers are employees, I probably wouldn't give them as much - maybe a gift card or something for a great cup of coffee or something like that on the way home - the call to their employer communicating your delight should give them more benefit by instilling in their employer the value of the employees.  

Finally promise of passing positive word of mouth advertising is in order as this is what small businesses thrive on.

I hope this helps!

Answer 7

Hello,

My input:

I have had 15 or so horses professionally shipped by haulers and YOU don't tip, etc...  JUST as others have recommended, you recommend them, or you call them again in the future for another haul.  You can also  let them know to feel free to use you for a reference.

BUT, I wouldn't suggest, tipping, taking to dinner, etc.  THIS is a service that they are well paid for.  AND I wouldn't get so rushed to be pleased until your horse is there, you check out the rig, and how well they took care of your horse.  

Answer 8

When they get there, have some cold water/soda/iced tea available for them. Often times, that's the best thing to receive after a long trip/hard day of work. Also allow them to take some more drinks/snacks along on their trip.

If it's a bigger company (aka the owner/manager is not traveling with them) give them a heart-felt "thank you" then ask how you can reach their manager to tell him what a great job they did. Many times managers are only called when people are unhappy, a call from a satisfied customer might even get your shippers a raise or bonus. Who knows!

But it's great to know their doing a great job with your horse. It's always a nerve racking thing to put that in someone else's hands.  

Answer 9

Did they do it for free?  I doubt it.  Best thing that you can do for them is give them cash and get a receipt...they had a job, did it and you pay them for it...no need for a tip, a dinner or adoption into your family.

Answer 10

a nyc card and some chocolates don't buy booze or they wil get drunk on the way back !

Answer 11

give them drinks and snacks for the drive back

Answer 12

You're probably paying them to do this.  It's just like any other service.  Thank them warmly upon safe delivery of your horse.  If they have a website, write a review of their great service.  Look for questions on Y!Answers of people wondering how to ship their horse and recommend them.  You probably don't need to get them a gift since you're paying them, but write them a nice e-mail if you want.