Since the installation of the first Easy Collect & Drop (ECD) Lockers in September 2020, ECD has started making waves in the last-mile delivery industry. As a new age delivery organisation, ECD aims to continue meeting customer last-mile delivery needs through its existing delivery options, for example smart locker technologies and introduce further innovations and service offerings, in the form of door-to-door delivery and various collaborations with partner stores, to make sending and receiving parcels a convenient and affordable experience to all customers.
ECD’s Business Philosophy
ECD understands that last mile delivery is fundamental for businesses. The future of delivery involves keeping up with trends and offering customers the best experience that fits their constantly changing needs and desires. ECD strives to offer a comprehensive delivery service which is characterised by low costs and high-quality service.
ECD’s main goal is to offer customers the most affordable and the most convenient delivery experience by tailoring their wide range of services to business or individual needs and requirements.
Given the many challenges of last mile delivery in South Africa, ECD offers businesses and customers alike a delivery that goes beyond being a simple service. They strive for an enjoyable and hassle-free experience whereby your delivery needs can be met. ECD enjoys taking advantage modern technologies, which includes innovation, touch and feel user experiences, store-involved deliveries, smart lockers and GPS tracking.
ECD is continuously growing and is excited to explain the introduction of their new services.
ECD’s new service offerings
Due to the major changes in the proposed services and operational costs, ECD has introduced new parcels delivery models. The new service offerings will include:
1. Door-to-Door delivery
As the name suggests, door-to-door delivery involves the parcel being picked up from the customer’s door and thereafter will be delivered to the recipient’s door. This price for this service starts from R50, depending on the size of the parcel and the distance between the two locations.
Door-to-door service offers customers convenience as it is a simple method of delivery which guarantees that the parcel will make it from point A to point B with little to no issues due to a single point of contact. It is also a time saving method of delivery that requires minimum efforts from the customer’s side, they can simply book a delivery order using ECD’s web or mobile app and wait for the delivery driver to pick up their parcel. This delivery method eliminates any hassles as the parcel will be delivered straight to the recipient’s home or business location.
2. ECD Points involved delivery
In addition to the above, ECD is also adopting the ECD Points involved delivery method by including stores and smart lockers as ECD pick up and drop off points.
ECD is partnering with various retail stores and implementing smartlockers in order to make the delivery process easier and more efficient for you as customers. This mode of delivery involves the customer dropping off or picking up his/her parcel at the nearest ECD partner store or smartlocker.
Two options exist, namely:
- ECD Point to DOOR or DOOR to ECD Point delivery: Drop Off your parcel at the closest ECD point (either a partner store or smartlocker) and it will be delivered to the recipient’s door address (or visa versa). Prices start from R40, depending on size and distance.
- ECD Point to ECD Point delivery: Drop Off your parcel at the closest ECD point and it will then be delivered to another ECD point. The price of this service start from R35.
Store involved delivery is beneficial as these stores exist in a wide range of locations, making them a convenient pick-up point for many customers (including individuals or businesses). Furthermore, this method of delivery saves costs due to the reduction or elimination of costly re-deliveries, and saves time for busy customers who are rarely at home and prefer to choose when to drop off or pick up their parcels following their packed and dynamic schedules.
Benefits of using ECD’s services
These new service offerings will be beneficial for businesses due to:
- the quick delivery speed;
- affordability;
- improved online delivery experience;
- elimination of re-delivery;
- easy-to-use functions; and ‘
- co-operation between Africa and Japan leads to improved technology transfer and encouraging investment
Thanks to the adoption of ECD points alongside door delivery, it is easily accessible and allows for greater flexibility in fetching parcels, at a time convenient for the customer. Along with the above additional services, customers will be able to easily obtain a quote for their delivery on ECD’s website and mobile or web apps.
ECD is excited to launch their new service offerings and hope to collaborate with its customers in ensuring both individual and business last-mile delivery success.
