SmallBusinessNewz

Most people know to add up a few figures when buying a product; there's its basic price, the sales tax, and any shipping fee.  But folks often consider how long they'll have to sit around during the delivery process, too, and this is one respect in which many businesses can often improve.

Suppose you want a few panes of glass to cover some wooden tables.  One guy will get them to you for $150 and deliver at about any time you choose.  Another fellow will cut and deliver them for $130, but he wants you to sit by the door throughout a four-hour window.

If your small business is like the first guy, congrats.  Consider advertising this fact.  If you run things more like the second man, think about changing this up.  Maybe let customers know about the initial four-hour window, but promise to call them 30 minutes before delivery so they can run home from work instead of missing half a day.

Or you can take the approach adopted by Bob's Discount Furniture.  A Smallbiztechnology article noted today, "[Y]ou don't have to stay at home for hours waiting for their delivery truck to come.  Instead track their trucks online.  That is simple . . ."

There's even the option of offering after-business-hours delivery for a few bucks more.

Regardless, forcing people to sit around for long periods of time isn't a winning plan.