Understanding Failed Delivery Attempts and Solutions to Prevent Them

Failed delivery attempts can be a major drawback for businesses, leading to increased operational costs, delayed shipments, and dissatisfied customers. According to research, up to 20% of packages are not delivered on their first attempt, which results in additional expenses for re-delivery and a negative impact on customers’ experience.

Different factors contribute to failed delivery attempts, from incorrect addresses and recipient unavailability to logistical inefficiencies. However, some strategies, such as address validation, real-time tracking, and efficient last-mile delivery solutions, can be implemented to reduce failed delivery attempts. 

This blog will explore the common causes of failed deliveries and actionable solutions to ensure seamless shipping operations. 

Understanding the Concept of Delivery Attempts

A delivery attempt refers to an instance where a courier service provider tries to deliver a package to the customer but is unable to complete the process. Most logistics providers make multiple delivery attempts before saying that the package is undeliverable or starts initiating a return to the sender. 

Each failed delivery attempt leads to delays, additional costs, and customer dissatisfaction. You must track the delivery attempts closely and optimise your shipping strategies to increase first-attempt delivery success and ensure a seamless delivery experience for your customers.

How Often Does the First Delivery Attempt Succeed?

First-attempt delivery success varies by factors like carrier, location, efficiency, and recipient availability. A good First Attempt Delivery Rate is considered somewhere between 90%-100%.

Common reasons for failure include incorrect addresses, the absence of recipients, and security restrictions in gated communities or office buildings. To improve the success of the first attempt, businesses can use address verification tools, flexible delivery slots, and real-time tracking updates. These steps will ensure a smooth customer experience and reduce logistical costs. 

Top 12 Reasons Why Your Delivery Might Fail

Delivery failures can be frustrating for both your business and your customers. Understanding the most common reasons behind these failures can help you improve and take proactive measures. Some of the key causes include:

1. Incorrect or Incomplete Address: A wrong street name, missing apartment number, or inaccurate PIN code can cause a package to be misrouted or returned. Customers mistyping while placing an order or automated address filing tools can lead to errors. Make sure to double-check the address before dispatching the products.
2. Customer Unavailability: If the receiver is not home at delivery, the courier has to reschedule or attempt redelivery, increasing delays. To help reduce failed attempts, try offering flexible delivery slots and real-time tracking.
3. Unclear Delivery Instructions: Special instructions like ‘leave at the back door’ or ‘call upon arrival’ ensure smooth deliveries. Without clear instructions, couriers may struggle to find the correct drop-off point.
4. Restricted Access Locations: Deliveries to secured areas like office buildings, gated communities, or military bases need special permissions. If the delivery person lacks access or necessary authorisation, they may be forced to return with the package. 
5. Communication Barriers: If customers fail to respond to any calls or messages, couriers may be unable to confirm details, leading to unsuccessful deliveries.
6. Incorrect Contact Information: An incorrect phone number or email address restricts couriers from contacting the recipient for confirmation or clarification. This often happens when customers enter an outdated or mistyped detail during checkout. 
7. Unforeseen Issues or Natural Calamities: Extreme weather conditions, floods, strikes, roadblocks, or political unrest can disturb delivery schedules. Even the best-planned logistical operations can experience unexpected delays due to events beyond human control.
8. Damaged or Lost Packages: Packages that are mishandled, dropped, or exposed to poor storage conditions can be damaged before they reach the customer. In some cases, the parcels may also go missing during transportation. 
9. Unmanageable Package Dimensions: If a package is oversized or exceeds the carrier’s weight limit, it may not fit into the delivery vehicle or may need special handling. This can result in delays or failed delivery attempts. 
10. Damage or Lost Packages: If a package is lost in transportation or arrives damaged, it cannot be delivered as intended. Logistics providers need strong tracking mechanisms and quality packaging to prevent such issues. 
11. Shortage of Delivery Drivers or Vehicles: High delivery volumes during peak seasons or unexpected staff shortages can result in failed deliveries. Limited vehicle availability can also delay shipments, especially in remote areas. You can partner with different logistical providers like Shiprocket and optimise delivery schedules to help you tackle such issues.
12. Refused Delivery: Customers may reject a package for different reasons like incorrect items, unexpected charges, or dissatisfaction with the order. This can lead to returns and additional costs for businesses. Clear prices, transparent policies, and hassle-free return options can help you reduce refusals.

What Happens After a Failed First Delivery Attempt?

When a delivery attempt fails, the next steps depend on the courier’s policies, the reason for failure and customer response. Here is what happens after a failed first delivery attempt:

1. Second or Final Delivery Attempt: Most courier services try to make a second attempt within 24-48 hours. If the failure was because of incorrect details or unavailability, the customers can be notified to update their information. Some couriers may also limit the number of reattempts before returning the package.
2. Notify Customers & Verify the Address: Customers are notified about the failed attempt via SMS, email, or app notifications. If the contact number or address is found to be incorrect, the customer is provided a chance to correct it before redelivery.
3. Package Held at Pickup Point: In case redelivery isn’t possible; then the package is sent to a local pickup centre or courier office from where the customer can collect the package within a timeframe before it is returned to the sender. 
4. Return to Seller (RTS): If the customer is unreachable or refuses the delivery, the package is marked as return to sender (RTS). This results in additional shipping costs for the business and further delays in refunds and replacements. 
5. Customer Service: For urgent or high-value orders, businesses contact the customers directly to resolve the delivery issues. Alternatively, delivery slots, rerouting of the package, or switching to a different courier service can help you complete the order successfully. 

What Happens If Your Delivery Fails?

A failed delivery doesn’t just mean a missed package; it has wider consequences for businesses and customers. Here is what happens when delivery fails repeatedly,

1. Increased Business Costs: Every failed delivery adds operational costs for you. As couriers may charge redelivery fees, returning undelivered parcels to the sender leads to double shipping expenses.
2. Customer Dissatisfaction and Loss of Trust: Nowadays, customers expect timely deliveries. If their orders don’t arrive, they may leave negative reviews or switch to other sellers.
3. Inventory & Logistical Disruptions: Undelivered items often get stuck in the logistical chain, leading to inventory mismatches and extra warehouse storage costs. You can also face delays in reselling returned products.  

How to Avoid Failed Deliveries: 6 Proven Practices

Reducing failed deliveries requires a proactive approach that combines technology, efficient logistics, and clear communication. Here are six effective practices to minimise delivery failures and boost success rates:

1. Provide Real-time Tracking & Alerts: Customers appreciate transparency, so offering live tracking and automated notifications, such as SMS, email, or WhatsApp, can help them know when their package will arrive. 
2. Verify Addresses Before Shipping: Many failed deliveries result from incorrect or incomplete addresses. AI-powered address verification tools help validate customer details at checkout. 
3. Optimise Last-mile Delivery Routes: Inefficient route planning leads to delays and delivery failures. AI drive route optimisation helps couriers avoid congested areas, reduce fuel costs, and plan multiple stops efficiently. 
4. Offer Flexible Delivery Options: Providing customers with options like scheduled delivery, locker services, and pick-up points increases the chances of a successful delivery. 
5. Strengthen Return & Redelivery Policies: When a delivery fails, a well-structured return and redelivery process can prevent further issues. This allows customers to easily reschedule deliveries and ensures failed parcels are promptly reassigned for re-delivery.
6. Maintain Clear Communication with Customers: Effective communication helps reduce confusion. Proactively communicate with customers via email, SMS, or app notifications to keep them informed about any delays, issues, or changes in delivery status. 

How to Handle a Failed Delivery in 3 Simple Steps?

Even with the best logistics planning, delivery failures can still happen. When they do, a quick and structured response can help you prevent frustration and retain customers’ trust. Here’s how to handle a failed delivery:

1. Identify the Reason for Failure: The first step is to know why the delivery attempt was unsuccessful. Some common reasons include incorrect addresses, customer unavailability, restricted addresses, weather disruptions, and logistical issues. 
2. Communicate With the Customer & Provide Solutions: Once you have identified the reason, inform the customer via email, SMS, or call. Offer a solution, such as rescheduling the delivery, allowing pick-up from a local hub, or updating delivery details. 
3. Reattempt Delivery or Return Process: Based on the customer’s response, take necessary action, such as preparing the package for redelivery, processing returns or refunds for refused or undeliverable packages, or offering replacement or compensation for lost or damaged parcels. 

4 Trends in Delivery Logistics That Can Reduce Failures

With increasing customer expectations and a growing eCommerce market, you can use advanced logistics solutions to reduce failed deliveries. Trends shaping the future of delivery logistics are:

1. AI-driven Route Optimisation: AI (artificial intelligence) is changing logistics by analysing traffic patterns, weather conditions, and delivery constraints to find the most efficient route. AI-powered route optimisation helps reduce delivery delays, ensure successful first-attempt deliveries, and lower fuel costs and operational inefficiencies. 
2. Smart Address Validation & Auto-correction: Incorrect or incomplete addresses are one of the main causes of failed deliveries. Automated address verification tools use machine learning to detect typos, and errors, suggest corrected formats, and prevent delivery agents from visiting the wrong locations.
3. Real-time Tracking & Customer Communication: Customers expect full transparency in the delivery process. Advanced logistics solutions help you in live order tracking through GPS, provide automated alerts for delays and instant rescheduling options for missed deliveries. 
4. Contactless & Flexible Delivery Solutions: Modern logistics providers are promoting contactless delivery and flexible delivery options to handle failed attempts, such as parcel lockers for 24/7 pickup, on-demand delivery rescheduling, and alternative delivery points. 

Shiprocket Quick: A Game-Changer in Efficient Deliveries

In fast paced world of eCommerce, every successful delivery counts. Failed delivery attempts can lead to customer satisfaction, logistical inefficiencies, and increased costs. This is where Shiprocket Quick steps in as a powerful solution to streamline deliveries and reduce failures. Some of the significant features of SR Quick are:

1. AI-powered Route Optimisation: It ensures that drivers take the best possible routes, reduce delays, and complete the delivery on the first attempt.
2. Real-time Tracking and Alerts: Help you and your customers get live updates while reducing the chances of missed deliveries.
3. Automated Address Verification: Validates or auto-corrects the address details before dispatching. 
4. Flexible Delivery and Return Management: Allows you to reschedule seamlessly while providing hassle-free returns for an improved customer experience. 
5. Integrated with Trusted Courier Partners: Ensures fast, reliable, and cost-effective last-mile deliveries by partnering with reputable couriers.

Conclusion

Failed deliveries impact logistics, customer trust, operational costs, and business growth. Adopting the right strategies, using technology, and staying ahead of industrial trends can significantly minimise failed attempts and enhance the delivery experience. Whether it is powered route optimisation, real-time tracking, or flexible delivery solutions, every improvement in delivery brings you closer to seamless logistics operations. 

Take charge of your deliveries today with smarter logistics solutions like SR Quick. Ensure that every package reaches the right door on time every time!

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