Scheduling Carrier Pickups

Scheduling Carrier Pickups

Don't waste time going to the post office. Schedule carrier pickups directly from AtoShip and have packages collected from your location.

Carrier Pickup Options

USPS Package Pickup:

• Free for Priority Mail & Express
• Next-day scheduling
• Regular or one-time
• Available Mon-Sat

UPS Pickup:

• On-demand or scheduled
• Same-day available (fees apply)
• Daily, weekly options
• Account required

FedEx Pickup:

• Express and Ground
• Scheduled or on-call
• Recurring options
• Courier comes to you

Scheduling in AtoShip

One-Time Pickup:

1. Go to Dashboard → Pickups
2. Select carrier
3. Choose date and time window
4. Enter pickup location
5. Confirm package count
6. Submit request

Recurring Pickup:

1. Dashboard → Pickups → Schedule Recurring
2. Select carrier
3. Choose days of week
4. Set time preference
5. Specify typical volume
6. Save schedule

Pickup Requirements by Carrier

USPS Requirements:

UPS Requirements:

• Must have packages ready
• Proper packaging required
• Labels visible
• Pickup location accessible

FedEx Requirements:

• Account in good standing
• Packages sealed and labeled
• Within service area
• Accessible location

Setting Up Pickup Location

Location Details:

Business Name: Your Company
Contact: John Smith
Phone: (555) 123-4567
Address: 123 Main St, Suite 100
City, State ZIP: Anytown, CA 90210

Special Instructions:
- Ring doorbell
- Packages at front desk
- Use side entrance after 5pm

Time Windows

USPS Time Windows:

• Morning: 8am - 12pm
• Afternoon: 12pm - 5pm
• Typically a 4-hour window

UPS Time Windows:

• Specific times available
• Window depends on route
• Premium for guaranteed times

FedEx Time Windows:

• Express: Before 6pm
• Ground: By end of day
• Scheduled options vary

Managing Pickup Requests

View Pending Pickups:

Dashboard → Pickups → Scheduled

Cancel a Pickup:

1. Find pickup in list
2. Click "Cancel"
3. Confirm cancellation
4. Reschedule if needed

Modify Pickup:

• Change package count
• Update instructions
• Adjust time (limited)

Pickup Best Practices

Preparation:

1. Have all packages ready before window
2. Labels facing up
3. Group by carrier
4. Place in accessible location

Communication:

• Post pickup times for staff
• Note any schedule changes
• Track confirmation numbers
• Follow up on missed pickups

Missed Pickup Resolution

If Carrier Doesn't Show:

1. Check confirmation status
2. Call carrier customer service
3. Reschedule for next day
4. Document for claims if needed

Common Reasons:

• Packages not visible
• Access issues
• Incorrect address
• Route delays

Cost Considerations

Free Pickup:

• USPS Priority/Express
• UPS with daily pickup agreement
• FedEx with account volume

Paid Pickup:

• USPS First Class (if standalone)
• UPS on-demand ($5-10)
• FedEx one-time ($3-5)
• Same-day service premiums

Pickup Automation

Auto-Schedule Rules: Create rules to auto-schedule:

IF daily_label_count > 10
  THEN schedule next-day pickup
IF carrier = "UPS" AND weight > 50lb
  THEN schedule pickup automatically

Integration Options:

• Webhook when labels created
• Daily pickup scheduling
• Volume-based triggers

Multi-Location Pickups

Managing Multiple Addresses:

1. Add all locations in settings
2. Assign default carrier per location
3. Schedule independently
4. Track all in dashboard

Holiday and Peak Seasons

Planning Ahead:

• Schedule earlier in day
• Confirm pickup times
• Have backup plan
• Track cutoff changes

Peak Season Tips:

• Book recurring pickups early
• Expect longer windows
• Prepare packages sooner
• Consider multiple pickups/day