Delivery free to the curb: definition and reasons for using the model.

When you order a product to your home, there are several delivery options. One of these options is curbside delivery. Here you will get an overview of the definition, the areas of application and the advantages of this model.

You are almost certainly familiar with the term "free delivery". However, many people are less familiar with the "free delivery to curb" model. Therefore, it is worthwhile to first take a fundamental look at the meaning.

Meaning of the term

The term means that a certain item is not delivered to the customer's home or property, but only to the front of the property, such as on the sidewalk. This is also where the term "free curbside" comes from.

In most cases, the model is used for deliveries by a freight forwarder. It can be relevant for both private buyers and business customers. In addition, there is the possibility of using the model for orders on the net or from the catalog, as well as for purchases in the store.

The latter is especially the case if the purchase cannot be taken by the customer without further preparations due to its size. Now you will surely ask yourself with what justification this type of delivery is used, since alternatively delivery to the buyer's house or property would be possible.

Reasons for delivery free curbside

Several factors play a decisive role here, the first of which is considered the main reason. Thus, the issue of insurance has a central importance. After all, most sellers no longer insure the goods on the recipient's property.

As a result, if the freight forwarder's employees cause damage while transporting the goods on the buyer's property or at the buyer's home, the supplier incurs costs that are not covered by appropriate insurance. This can significantly reduce revenues and, depending on the product, tear a noticeable hole in the cash register.

Another reason for this type of delivery is saving effort. Especially in the case of larger items, transporting the goods to the customer's house means a certain loss of time for the employees of the forwarding company or the selling company.

With a large number of orders, the implementation of this step is certainly hardly feasible in an efficient manner. In addition, there is a certain incalculability - after all, problems can occur during transport to the site, which leads to a delay in the processes.

For which products is this delivery method common and what to look out for?

In a next step, it is worth taking a look at what products are delivered in this way and what details need to be taken into account during the process.

Common products that are delivered in this way

As a general rule, free curbside delivery is particularly suitable and sensible for larger and bulky goods. Smaller items can, after all, simply be dropped off at the recipient's door effortlessly and without taking up much time. Examples of such bulky products include:

• Furniture of various types
• Garden shed
• Materials for processing in the garden (crushed stone, sand, pebbles, etc.)
• larger electronic products
• Home sauna
  
  

But larger plants can also be delivered free curbside. In 2019, Aldi attracted some attention by delivering a large and heavy bonsai tree in this way - but not only in a positive sense.

These are just a few examples. Especially in the B2B area, there are many other products that are bulky and are delivered free curbside. This applies, for example, to machines of various types as well as larger quantities of raw materials or components for production.

Some of these products are often delivered already assembled, while others are delivered in individual parts. In the case of the latter, a corresponding construction plan is included, with the help of which you as the buyer can assemble them.

For curbside delivery, there are some details that need to be taken into account for a successful process. In addition, a knowledge of legal factors plays a role, so that you as a buyer can avoid potential problems or even penalties.

Central importance of the delivery date

For a successful and trouble-free delivery free curbside, the delivery date plays a major role. First of all, you as the customer get a delivery period for the product. It is important that the manufacturer or carrier then gives you a specific delivery date.

This should be done with sufficient time in advance. Only in this way you will be prepared for the delivery and can take care of getting it off the street and onto your property as quickly as possible, organizing some helpers if necessary.

Possible consequences in case of problems with the delivery date

This has significance for a number of reasons, including legal ones. First of all, the product you receive is a disruptive object in the public space.

It is your responsibility to remove the item as soon as possible. Failure to do so, possibly due to a late delivery date, can result in fines, frustration, and the inability to purchase from the company in question.

But this circumstance is relevant not only because of potential legal problems. Rather, additional unpleasant conversations with the neighbors could arise if your goods block their everyday paths and thus restrict them.

In addition, if you do not remove the items in time, there could be damage. Especially due to weather conditions, there is a risk of breaking the items you just bought. These conditions include, above all:

• Rain and snow
• Heat
• Cold

Among other things, this can affect electrical appliances or goods that are similarly sensitive to corresponding external circumstances.

Advantages and disadvantages of the model

As with any model of purchase or delivery, free curbside delivery has some pros and cons that you should know before using this option as a buyer or offering it as a seller.

Advantages

Benefits include:

• lower costs,
• Efficiency for the conveyor
• and, as a result, faster delivery.

The lower costs arise mainly because the carrier saves expenses for personnel when the goods are unloaded on the sidewalk in front of the destination. Accordingly, customers also benefit from this model of delivery, as they can order the products at a slightly lower cost.

Furthermore, the efficiency already mentioned is a great advantage for the seller and the transport company. Sales can be increased through a higher number of delivered goods.

At the same time, customers benefit from the efficiency. After all, this shortens the delivery time, among other things.

Disadvantages

On the other hand, free curbside delivery has some disadvantages. Most of these aspects concern the buyers, a few also the supplier.

This includes, for example, the fact that spontaneous onward transport into the house or onto the property is no longer insured. If, for example, the forwarders want to help a customer who is obviously physically not easily able to transport bulky items and it would not be a problem in terms of time, this involves a great risk for them and their company.

Accordingly, a certain degree of flexibility in customer service is lost, which could create a negative image in certain situations. In addition, a lot of responsibility and additional organizational effort rests with you as the buyer.

If damage occurs during onward transport to the property or into the house, you must take responsibility for it. In the best case, the buyer has the appropriate insurance - if not, the joy of a recently purchased product could be significantly dimmed.

Additionally, there is the question of whether the model is suitable for every neighborhood. For example, its practicality is questionable in a downtown area or in heavily trafficked neighborhoods of a major city.

Here, various major problems could arise if the items are not removed at a pace that is hardly feasible. Accordingly, there are some limitations in the use of free curbside delivery.

What other delivery methods are available?

For these reasons, it is worth taking a brief look at what other delivery methods are available that could be useful for your purposes. Particularly common, in addition to free curbside delivery:

• delivery free to the place of use
• as well as free delivery.

In the case of free delivery to the place of use, the products are delivered to an individually agreed location. This can be quite different and certainly often depends on the specific intended use of the corresponding item.

This can be illustrated by two examples. For example, you can have furniture delivered to your living room free of charge. For gravel or sand, on the other hand, you can arrange a suitable point of use on your property. The advantage of this model is clearly the great convenience for the buyer. He has no or hardly any effort of his own for the transport.

Free delivery, in turn, means that the respective product is delivered to the house at the specified delivery address. There, the shipment is then delivered to the recipient in many cases.

The core element of this type of delivery lies in the term "free". This means that the buyer does not have to bear any costs for the delivery. Accordingly, this also applies to the delivery types free place of use and free curb.

Conclusion

Free curbside delivery is a delivery method used mainly for large and bulky items. In this case, the goods are delivered in front of the recipient's property. Advantages exist mainly in insurance-related issues from the supplier's point of view.

FAQ

1. What are the advantages of free curbside delivery for customers?

   The advantages that the model offers to customers are primarily cost savings and, possibly in the case of popular products, faster delivery.

2. What are the alternative delivery models?

   In addition to free delivery to the curb, there is also free delivery to the door and free delivery to the point of use.