Get a delivery driver for 2 hours next Tuesday, 6 hours this Friday, & Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm for the next 3 months all using Tonquin - How to guide & FAQ
In addition to on-demand deliveries, we've recently added the ability to contract with an independent Delivery Provider on the Tonquin network for a block of time. This allows you to fill in your schedule gaps ahead of time. All you have to do is post the request (takes less than 5 minutes) and the Delivery Provider will show up at the scheduled time. It's really that easy.
Contrary to the title of this post, you can request to contract with a Delivery Provider for anytime, whenever they're needed, all on-demand. The only constraints being that it has to be between the hours of 8am and 6pm, and at a minimum of 2 hour increments and 8 hour maximum increments. These can be recurring (i.e. you need someone Monday through Friday from 1pm to 5pm for the next 3 months) or single use (i.e. you need someone next Wednesday from 10am to 5pm).
When the block of time starts and you have a delivery that you want your Delivery Provider to do, create the shipment as you would an on-demand delivery, except before clicking "place shipment", under "Choose Provider", your contracted Delivery Provider's name should automatically be selected (if it isn't, simply click the drop down box and select it). This means that when you click "place shipment" and your Delivery Provider is selected, that delivery will be automatically assigned to them and they will come inside the store to load it in their vehicle!
This is now available to all Vendors in all markets. To schedule a block of time to be fulfilled, go to your Tonquin Logistics Dashboard, click "Schedule" at the top center of your screen, and click the green button, "Schedule Charter". Fill out the parameters (when you need it), verify the cost, and place your request! Simple as that. Use your Schedule view to see once it's been accepted and see details of the Delivery Provider that you'll be working with.
Interested in how much it costs? Simply begin the schedule process for what you need and it will give you an instant quote before placing the request! The huge potential for reducing overhead expenses using this powerful solution will be detailed and explained in another post coming soon.
FAQs
Q - What actually happens once I place my request?
1. A - Your request will be displayed and made available instantly to your network of independent Delivery Providers. This is an entirely automated process. So anytime that you have your request accepted by a Delivery Provider, it's based purely on the decision of that Delivery Provider (it's recommended to keep a good relationship with anyone you work with so that they're always looking out for your requests!)
Q - How much does it cost?
2. A - Rates vary by market. All prices are shown before placing any request on the platform (on-demand delivery, block of time, or shuttle). Like stated above, if you'd like to see how much a certain block would cost you, simply begin the schedule process for what you need and it will give you an instant quote before placing the request.
Q - Will I get a random person each time?
3. Requests can be accepted by anyone in the Tonquin network. With that said, you will typically see the same Delivery Provider accepting your requests if you frequently need gigs fulfilled. This is due to a lot of reasons. The two most important being that they want to keep you happy and using their service because it's their business and secondly, they most likely live nearby your location (reducing their cost to commute to where the demand is). Also, requests get accepted in blocks, meaning that your recurring request to have someone for the next three months, can have a different Delivery Provider accepting each day. This is what drives a lot of the efficiency.
Q - How do I know if someone will show up?
4. A - On your schedule view, you will be able to see up to two weeks in advance if a Delivery Provider has accepted your request. Click on the block of time to see details and information about the Delivery Provider that you'll be working with.
Q - What happens if no one shows up?
5. A - If a Delivery Provider doesn't accept your request by the start time, it will be automatically cancelled and you won't be charged. If they do accept but still don't show up, it's recommended to try contacting them using their phone number displayed in the details. It's likely that a Tonquin representative will also attempt to contact them but if both attempts are unsuccessful, your request will be cancelled and you won't be charged. There is currently a 90% success rate, meaning that any of your requests have a 90% chance of being fulfilled. And of that 90%, 99% go off without a hitch!
Q - Are they required to come inside when they arrive?
6. A - Short answer, no. However, if the Delivery Provider has an on-time percentage (the percent of hourly gigs where they show up at or before the start time) below 80%, they must come inside to collect a signature before they can start the gig. It should be assumed as the Vendor that your Delivery Provider is there on-time, which means that once your block of time has started, any deliveries that you need them to do should be attempted to be assigned to them. If their name doesn't show up in your "Choose Provider" drop down box, that means that they are late, didn't show up, or are possibly having technical difficulties (so I wouldn't jump to worse case scenarios immediately!). Follow the steps in answer number six, if this happens.
Q - Can I do on-demand deliveries while an hourly contracted Delivery Provider is actively working?
7. A - Yes! The Logistics Dashboard has been made to seamlessly allow any dispatcher to work with all different types of solutions at the same time. To do this, create a shipment and before placing the shipment, click the drop down box next to "Choose Provider" and there should be an option that says, "On-demand Provider". Selecting this will have your delivery request sent out to the network of Delivery Providers currently working on-demand! In fact, it's highly recommended that if your block of time request isn't fulfilled, to try the on-demand delivery option since some Delivery Providers just prefer to work that way.
This post was last updated: February 28th, 2022
