Preparing Things Ordered By Customers For Shipping

         One of the most challenging tasks we have at CCTCF is to prepare things our customers have bought for shipping by air as well as by sea. To our customers, it is simple; they have paid for the things they ordered, and all they have to do is sit and wait for the delivery of those things and as soon as possible. To our staff at CCTCF, it is a different story of long hours in the office, sometimes extending to late night for different reasons and because of different challenges.

Here below is a summary of what goes on behind the scenes from the moment you place your order to when you receive the goods. 

1. We get an inquiry email from customer X asking for more information about a particular product or a range of products. Problem: Inquiries from customers are usually vague, lacking details that matter.
2. Our Customer Service Department (CSD) replies with the preliminary information the customer requested.
3. Then our CSD puts up the customer X's contact info on our office inquiry board including a brief on what that customer is looking for. Problem: In many instances the customer will come back with totally different demands contradicting initial demands.
4. When customer X writes back with more clarifications on what they want, we change his status to serious customer and put an outsourscing agent in charge of the case. Problem: Sometimes we have one CCTCF outsourcing agent handling multiple customers. That may cause delays in responses.
5. The agent in charge of the case is responsible for preparing a preforma invoice, negotiation order terms, prices, delivery time, etc. Problem: This usually takes more time than customers expect.
6. Once customer X places the order, the agent in charge of his case is responsible for the preparation of items. This includes, factory visits, meetings with suppliers, checking items, testing some if required, repackaging, making videos of products for customer X, contacting our partner shipping agents, negotiating prices of shipping, etc. This is the most important step. Problem: This also takes more time than the customer expects and it is a critical stage in the process.
7. Once the cargo is sent to the warehouse at the seaport, we notify customer X and provide all necessary information. Problem: We can't control the schedules of shipping agents. They load according to their own schedules and this may make our customers impatient.
8. Our shipping agents then get in touch with customer X for confirmation as receipient of the goods. At this stage the shipping agent may also alert the recipient on other requirements for the reception of goods.
9. Goods arrive at customer X's sea port or airport and customer X is notified. Problem: Sometimes goods arrive but the customer is not ready and available to collect the goods.
10. Customer X comes to the collection point with his ID and collects goods

For customers who are not familiar with how outsourcing agencies like CCTCF work, this may be helpful information so that you can understand our agents in charge of handling your orders.