Is it worth it?

Suppose you're at a job site doing part of a construction, renovation or remodeling job.  You are the contractor or designer or the person with the craftsman's skill performing the work.  Other sub-projects are in line to begin after you finish and are on a schedule.  You discover an important part of the job is missing or broken or incomplete.  Do you have time to stop everything and take a trip to the parts depot?  It's 30 miles away and will kill at least two hours.  What if you could order the part, pay for it with a credit card and have someone pick it up and deliver to you at the job site asap?  It might still take two hours to get your part, but meanwhile you're still at the job site being productive.  The cost for the courier, assuming 30 miles, would be about $59.  Give us a call and we'll help you get back on track.

Getting to Point B

Getting to Point B

“I need to get this from Point A to Point B ASAP” says the caller in a tone of urgency.  “How much will it cost?”  Steve, our dispatcher gathers address information about Points A and B, asks about the size and weight of what we are carrying, and when they want it done.  Our system generates the quote.  “Ok let’s do it.  We’ll have it ready in half an hour,” says the customer.  Notice the person went from caller to customer in a few seconds.  That’s because they know we can get their item to Point B and they won’t have to worry about it.  They won’t have to pay an employee time and expenses for the rest of their day driving on crowded roads in the rain, into rush hour, risking company insurance.  They won’t have to stand in line at the airport or post office or FedEx or the dry ice place.  They won’t have to bring a hand-truck or dolly for the boxes of files that have to be hauled across a parking lot and then up eight floors.  They won’t have to go through security at the courthouse or figure out which clerk to go to. 

Getting to Point B isn’t always easy, which is why we need couriers and messengers.

We know we are only as good as our last delivery, and we appreciate the continued business and referrals from our loyal customers!

Action Courier Service is BBB Accredited, TSA Certified, Bonded and Insured with over 20 years experience. For service or a quote, call us at 1-800-847-8942 or visit us at www.GoActionCourier.com.

A Courier's Vew of the Recession - Is It Really Over?

A Courier’s View of the Recession – Is It Really Over?

Business in 2009 was brutally challenging for us, as it was for many businesses.  We saw revenue decrease in most types of deliveries, most significantly in aircraft parts due to the decline in business travel using private jets.  Also, aircraft mechanics found themselves with enough extra time to do their own deliveries.  Deliveries for yacht repairs virtually stopped.  One of our regular mail pickups ended because the business closed their mailbox to save costs.  In 2010, things are changing.  Beginning in March, revenue has consistently been better than last year, and July and August were record months during our typical slow season. 

What’s different?  Deliveries of aircraft parts are increasing ever so slowly, but most of the recovery has been in gaining new customers and new business.  For example, we are doing more warehouse transportation than ever.  In this kind of work, we receive a semi-load of material, break it down and distribute it to locations (such as retail stores) all over South Florida.  Another area of increased work has been in handling samples and specimens for various laboratories.  Companies know they can trust us to keep tight schedules and ensure proper handling of time and temperature sensitive materials.

The recession has changed our business forever.  Some of our old customers are coming back, and some we may not see again.  It is gratifying to know that our solid reputation and long history of excellent work is sustaining the business and will take us out of the recession into great years ahead.

We know we are only as good as our last delivery, and we appreciate the continued support of our loyal customers.

Action Courier Service is BBB Accredited, TSA Certified, Bonded and Insured with over 20 years experience. For service or a quote, call us at 1-800-847-8942 or visit us at www.GoActionCourier.com.

Laboratory / Medical Specimens Need Temperature Control and Monitoring

Laboratory Samples and Medical Specimens Need Temperature Control and Monitoring

Transportation of laboratory samples and medical specimens often require the use of ice or dry ice and always have to be monitored during shipment.  Biological specimens cannot be exposed to excess heat or cold.  For example, when being shipped by air, we need to monitor the sample container until it is tendered to the airline.  Proper packaging and handling of medical shipments ensures their purpose is fulfilled without delay and is a critical part of the process.

Action Courier Service is BBB Accredited, TSA Certified, Bonded and Insured with over 20 years experience. For service or a quote, call us at 1-800-847-8942 or visit us at www.GoActionCourier.com.

Commercial / Mechanical / Construction Parts Delivered On Time

Construction projects require the right people, equipment and parts to be working on the right thing at the right time. Action Courier Service speeds delivery of parts to job sites when they are needed - now.  For example, we help building supply companies deliver mechanical PVF (Pipe, Valves, Fittings) and commercial finished products to their customers when their fleet is too busy or unavailable.  This can be important for deliveries over long distances or  during odd hours.

Action Courier Service is TSA Certified, Bonded and Insured with over 20 years experience. For service or a quote, call us at 1-800-847-8942 or visit us at www.GoActionCourier.com.

Helping Local Families in Need

12/19/2009 Each year Action Courier Service helps provide holiday meals for hundreds of families in southern Florida by trucking pallets of food from the Goodwill distribution center in West Palm Beach to a Delray Beach church for sorting, packing and distribution. C.R.O.S. Ministries,www.crosministries.org on behalf of The Caring Kitchen organized the pickup and distribution efforts of fresh and frozen food consisting of frozen hams, bread, fruits and fresh vegetables.  We provided an expert driver and a 26 foot box truck with a lift gate.  This year the food distribution was allocated to a much larger number of families in need compared to last year.  For information on how you can help, contact C.R.O.S. Ministries at: www.crosministries.org.

How do I ship fuel samples?

A customer from a cruise ship line had a problem with some gasoline they purchased at one of their international ports of call. Some component of the fuel was not burning properly and the contaminant was making its way into the engine crank case and diluting the lubricant there. That's a serious problem for an engine. They decided to send samples of the fuel and the contaminated lubricant to a laboratory for testing. Shipping fuel or other hazardous materials is either prohibited or very costly, unless you contact a company trained and certified and able to carry and correctly handle the goods.

Fuel and fuel products such as gasoline, oils and lubricants, diesel fuel and so on are hazardous materials primarily due to their flammable properties. Carriers such as USPS, UPS, DHL and FedEx do not handle flammable items as part of their routine business. You've heard the questions at the post office so often you can answer without actually hearing the words: "Does this package contain anything dangerous, flammable, ... etc." The USPS manual has a detailed explanation of what are considered dangerous goods or hazardous materials: http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm300/601.htm#wp1064962

Action Courier Service is TSA Certified, Bonded and Insured with over 20 years experience. For service or a quote, call us at 1-800-847-8942 or visit us at www.GoActionCourier.com.

Need to Compare Shipping Rates? Use ShipGooder.com

ShipGooder.com Compares Rates of Courier and Delivery Services - It's Fast and Easy!

Customers now have an easy way to compare shipping rates between the major carriers FedEx, UPS, DHL and local courier services and delivery companies. Just type in the origin and destination zip codes and ShipGooder instantly shows rates for same day, next day, two day, three day and ground deliveries. In addition, the site accounts for weight and number of packages. As weight and size increase, so does the price. It is easy to see that a local courier is often the best choice of carrier, especially for heavy, large or delicate items.

Other features I like about ShipGooder.com are the mapping, which shows the distance of the delivery, and the Couriers section which shows the names of all couriers within a zip code radius.

If you want to know your shipping options quickly, without having to make a bunch of phone calls, just go to ShipGooder.com.

Action Courier Service offers reliable same day delivery from the Palm Beaches to anywhere in Florida. Call us any time at 1-800-847-8942.

Water and Soil Samples Require Special Handling

Temperature Control, Time and Weight Create Transportation Challenges

Laboratories that perform analytical services such as drinking water testing, environmental testing, mercury and pesticide testing, sediment testing and so on, will get water and soil samples from their test locations and have the samples sent to their laboratory for analysis. The transportation of the samples can be over a long distance and require temperature control such as ice packed insulated containers or coolers. A 50-gallon cooler full of ice and samples is heavy, and the need to get the samples to the lab as soon as possible at a constant temperature make a courier service the best choice of carrier. For small loads we can choose to send a car or hatchback, and for more than three big coolers we can send a van or SUV. Another advantage is our ability to pick up the samples at the exact time they are ready, any time of day or night.

Action Courier Service is TSA Certified, Bonded and Insured with over 20 years experience. For service or a quote, call us at 1-800-847-8942 or visit us at www.GoActionCourier.com.

Who Delivers Your PO Box Mail?

Do You Pick Up Your Own Mail from the Post Office?

Do you have time for that? There are a many companies in West Palm Beach, Fl that use a post office box to receive their mail. Some companies receive a lot of mail, including certified and registered mail that requires a signature to pick up. Action Courier Service picks up mail at area post offices and delivers it to companies at their office location. We also stand in line to sign for and receive certified and registered mail so you don't have to pay an employee (or yourself) to do it. Your employees can spend more time doing what your company does best - providing the best product or service and the best customer service! We pick up mail from 3200 Summit Blvd. West Palm Beach, Fl 33416 and 3900 Haverhill Rd. N. West Palm Beach, Fl 33417 and any other USPS location your company uses.

Action Courier Service is TSA Certified, Bonded and Insured with over 20 years experience. For service or a quote, call us at 1-800-847-8942 or visit us at www.GoActionCourier.com.

How do I Move my Trade Show Display?

How do I move my huge, heavy trade show display?

What if you are a trade show exhibitor travelling from city to city and your display is too big to be checked as baggage? You will probably arrange with your Corporate Event Planner to have the display transported by a TSA Certified courier from the airport to the show venue. When the show ends, you pack up the display and the same courier will take it to the airport for travel to the next city, just in time for you to set up for a new show. An example of a "portable" display might be a 10' x 20' modular display that packs into four cases each measuring 14" x 48" x 29", each weighing 77 pounds like this one: http://www.everythingdisplays.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=674 This is not something you want to be lugging around in the hotel transportation.

Action Courier Service serves Conventions, Trade Shows, Corporate Events, and venues such as The Kravis Center, Palm Beach Convention Center, and The Breakers Hotel Palm Beach to help ensure their clients get their displays and equipment in time for show time!

Action Courier Service is TSA Certified, Bonded and Insured with over 20 years experience. For service or a quote call 1-800-847-8942 or visit us at http://www.GoActionCourier.com.

What is Dimensional Weight or DIM Weight?

What is Dimensional Weight or DIM Weight compared to Actual Weight?

Dimensional Weight, used in shipping and freight, is a billing calculation method that takes into account the volume of a package. When shipping costs are calculated using the actual weight of the container and contents, this can be unprofitable when the container is large and lightweight, because of the amount of space it takes in the vehicle. The concept of dimensional weight, or DIM weight, has been universally adopted by freight carriers as a means of establishing a minimum charge for the space the package occupies. Freight carriers use the greater of the actual weight or dimensional weight to determine the cost.
For example, the DIM weight for a domestic shipment is: (Length x Width x Height)/194 using inches. The DIM weight for international shipments in inches is (L x W x H)/166.

At Action Courier Service we always use actual weight and not DIM weight for two reasons: Our deliveries are in a vehicle dedicated to your shipment, so the amount of space taken by the container doesn't matter. Second, we want to provide the best value for your same day delivery by not overcharging for weight, especially for relatively short distances.

This means you can ship large volume items such as empty crates (which we will gladly carry again when full), rolls of plastic tubing, refrigeration equipment, and medical equipment and we will charge by the pound for the actual weight and not the DIM weight which is usually more.

Action Courier Service is TSA Certified, Bonded and Insured with over 20 years experience. For service or a quote call 1-800-847-8942 or visit us at http://www.GoActionCourier.com.

Action Courier Transports Cord Blood

Action Courier Transports Cord Blood for use in Regenerative Medicine

Action Courier Service serves the medical community every day. Whether transporting surgical instruments, live tissue or lab samples, special handling and direct delivery are critical. Regenerative medicine using stem cells is a growing and vital part of medical science. Parents can now save blood from their newborn's umbilical cord in a special blood bank for use by the family if a need arises in their lifetime. According to the CBR website http://cordblood.com "By banking your baby's cord blood stem cells you could benefit from breakthrough uses and be prepared for the unknowns in life. Stem cells are showing promise in the treatment of brain injury and juvenile diabetes and have already been used to treat nearly 80 diseases, saving many lives." CBR is one of the blood banks offering this service. Action Courier Service picks up the cord blood kit directly from the parents at the hospital. We then take the kit to the airport and tender it to its assigned flight to the blood bank.
Action Courier Service is TSA Certified, Bonded and Insured with over 20 years experience. For service or a quote call 1-800-847-8942 or visit us at http://www.GoActionCourier.com.

Action Courier - AOG Specialists

Action Courier Service Rescues Grounded Commercial Aircraft

Action Courier Service serves the aviation industry every day. We frequently carry parts flown in to regional airports to aircraft in need of repair. Aircraft deemed not airworthy are called aircraft on ground or AOG. Commercial airlines are diligent in keeping their aircraft airworthy and safe. One recent night at 2:00 am, we received a call to pick up a Radome in Miami and carry it to the AOG sitting on the tarmac at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood Airport (FLL). The term radome comes from radar and dome – a dome shaped structure housing the radar antenna in the nose of the airplane. Radomes are typically made using a honeycomb core material with several layers of fiberglass bonded to the core. If the radome has impact damage or moisture, the radar signal strength that passes through it will be degraded. The radome on this particular aircraft had apparently been struck by lightning.

Action Courier Service is TSA Certified, Bonded and Insured with over 20 years experience. For service or a quote call 1-800-847-8942 or visit us at: http://GoActionCourier.com

Action Courier Service delivers leeches!

Action Courier Service delivers leeches for medical use

Action Courier Service http://GoActionCourier.com serves the medical community every day. We frequently carry surgical supplies, harvested organs, laboratory specimens and cord blood. Recently we picked up an unusual package at Palm Beach International Airport to deliver STAT to a medical clinic. The contents - leeches! There are many types of leeches and a few are used in various medical treatments just like they were thousands of years ago. Leeches are used to treat all manner of ailments from heart diseases to arthritis. According to the website leeches.biz, "During the process of feeding, leeches secrete a complex mixture of different biologically and pharmacologically active substances into the wound. Hirudin is the best known component of leech saliva."
To learn more about leeches in medicine, just Google the phrase, or go here: http://www.leeches.biz/

Action Courier Service is TSA Certified, Bonded and Insured with over 20 years experience. For service or a quote call 1-800-847-8942