11 Tips for AirWayBill’s First-Time Shoppers

August 17, 2017

We wouldn’t want you guys to go into the battle field head on while still unprepared, that’s why we gathered intel from our pro shoppers and shippers, and made a list to help you #GetShipping and #GetShopping with AirWayBill!

Know the Rules

Different countries have different rules to follow about what to bring, and what not to bring, in and out of the country, so be prepared! Don’t wait for customs to stop the carrier and give him (and you) a hard time before you learn your lesson, be proactive! Do some research and be prepared– especially when it comes to tricky things that require documents like medicine.

Pro tip: to avoid trust issues between you and the carrier, let the carrier buy the medicine themselves instead of you acquiring the medicine and shipping it. It’ll allow them to feel more secure.If it is a life saving prescription medication please snap a picture for the prescription while posting your request on the app to let the Carrier feel confident buying you the medication if the laws in his/her country would allow them to do so.
Address forwarding

If you’re still about to order the item online, then simply put it as request an item on the app and put the website details and items details, and the carrier shall buy and get it to you. However, if you’ve already ordered the item online and want the item delivered to you by an AirWayBill carrier, put the carrier’s address in the address of the recipient when filling up the order form and not your own. After all, they are going to be the ones delivering it to you, so it makes sense to have the item brought to them. It sounds obvious, but trust us, we’ve seen worse happen.
Taxes and Duty Fees

Ah yes, no one can get out of this one. Unless you’re a con artist which we’re pretty sure you aren’t. . Right? Jokes aside, remember to consider delivery charges and duty fees in your price estimate when creating an order on AirWayBill so as to avoid any headaches in the future.

Pro tip: Add the total of taxes and fees to the In the item’s value. To let the carrier get his fees fully so that they bid faster. Plus, it’ll help ease the delivery process since everything is accounted and paid for.
Choose the right website

Now before you get carried away and go into an online shopping frenzy, remember to always be safe. Choose trusted websites to shop on and make sure you spell the domain right. It never hurts to be careful.

Pro tip: look for the SSL (secure sockets layer). You know a site has it when the url starts with HTTPS:// instead of just HTTP:// this means that there is encryption installed and it is secure. Or you can simply open the AirWayBill app and let the carrier do the buying!
Be updated for discounts

Check for discount codes at pages like  retailmenot.com or  coupons.com to save not only on shipping costs, but the overall cost of the item as well. It’s a double win! And if their shipping is too expensive for your taste, you’ve always got us to help you out.
Be Specific

Let’s say you already decided on what to order or buy on the internet, or even in real shops and not just the online stores, now is the time to tell the carrier EXACTLY what you want. If the item is under any special deals, limited stocks, or limited time offers, make sure to inform the carrier so as not to miss the opportunity and the discounts. Also give a clear description of the item so the carrier can get the right one for you. Remember, the devil is in the details.
Read Reviews

Get to know the carrier by reading the reviews about him/her. This will give you an idea on what kind of person they are, how they will care for your item, and whether let’s say they’re known to be very punctual- (always a plus).
Lay everything out on the table

Make sure that you and the carrier have an understanding and have come to an agreement, especially on the condition of the item before making things final.

Pro tip: we really can’t stress this enough: the devil is in the details. Some people treat the smallest details as a sensitive matter. If there is any changes in the condition of the item, make sure to let the other party know so as to avoid any trouble or misunderstanding of any kind.
Establish relationships

Get in touch with previous carriers and travelers and establish a relationship with them, who knows, they might be carrying more items for you in the future.

Pro tip: Give them some travel spots or great destinations to visit in your city/country. If you have time or are comfortable, get a coffee and chat with them about their adventures and future travel plans. You might need something from where they’re headed.
Communicate Clearly

If you’re comfortable sharing your contact information to carriers, you can use other messaging portals like WhatsApp or Viber to communicate.

Pro tip: Use AirWayBill’s messenger so you can keep your info confidential at the same time we can keep track and document the conversations and present it as proof if the need arises.
Remember that the carrier is a frequently traveling human being, helping you and many other people get their items delivered to them.

With that being said, there may be some things that are out of their control: delayed flights, emergencies, or other things that compromises them. Don’t be in a hurry, the process may take a bit of time and complications may arise. Have patience and always be kind to people, make connections and establish relationships. The person you are dealing with is human, let’s treat each other with respect.