If you want to make sure that your holiday shipping goes well this year, you may want to start planning your gift giving early. Specifically, if your shopping experiences will end up in sending packages to family and friends via various shipping companies. Because the hustle and bustle of shopping do take time, you need to know what the best strategy is to take. This is especially true if you are looking to save time and money, while also making sure each package makes it to their destination on time or before. Having said that, here are 8 common questions that people need responses to in advance.

1. When Should I Send My Gifts to Friends and Family?

While there is no fast and established rule for shipping packages by a certain time, there are some parameters that you need to think about for the holidays. Because the number of packages shipped during these times increases by 11 million and more, the chances of them reaching the destination on time get less and less. So, you must factor in this extra time and the season to plan your arrivals on time.

2. What do you recommend as the best Methods of Packing?

Fortunately, there are many great tips available. Many of which will help to prevent breakage and other damages in shipment. For instance, never use a box that is too large for the item since it will naturally shift and sometimes even break during transit. Before shipping furniture items, disassemble the parts as much as you can prior to placing them inside the box.

3. Should I wrap my gifts first?

One basic rule of thumb is not to let the gift wrapping fever get in the way of the actual shipping. For instance, if you are shipping a bike or any type of furniture, exclude the bows. However, if there are smaller packages like candy boxes, you have a better chance of getting away with it.

4. Common Items that Cannot Be Shipped

Since shipping food has become a staple in many areas of the country, people may expect food items to be shipped by any carrier. For TSI, this is not the case, so these items must be shipped by another food friendly carrier. Other items that cannot be shipped are those smaller parcels.

5. What is TSI’s response to the winter weather?

When the roads around the country are clear enough to drive, TSI will be driving too.

6. What Occurs If Shipments are Delayed?

TSi is known for charging lower rates so the dates provided are estimates only. However, if one has a shipping issue that they need to discuss, they can feel free to contact TSI’s representatives.

7. Economy or White Gloves – When is White Glove Service Appropriate

With 2 levels of service provided to TSI customers, people can choose the one that suits their needs. Normally, the economy is considered to be the best choice. However, if you premium service that you do not prefer to be concerned about, white glove service is always the way to go.

8. Should my Shipments Be Insured?

Presently, all packages that are sent through transit have a basic amount of insurance on each. However, for peace of mine on antiques, fragile and delicate items, you may want the additional protection of shipping insurance.