HOW TO CHOOSE A SHIPPING COMPANY?
Everybody in the Caribbean community in the United States and Canada would agree that shipping goods to Caribbean, whether personal effects for family and friends or commercial shipments for business purposes, can be expensive, time-consuming and stressful if you do not take the time to engage a company that has a track record of reliability, competitive prices and excellent customer service.

How do you find such a company?

1. Choose a shipping company that is insured and bonded by the Federal Maritime Commission.  This means that they have met the standards of this governing body with respect to their methods of operation and have put in place a guarantee to the customer to this effect.  Each customer knows that they are affiliated with a company that has a high standard of operation, one that is willing and has the means for redress if the customer has a problem.
   
2. Talk to relatives, friends and associates about the shipping company.  Ask questions about their experiences with the particular company.  But do not depend on this alone.  Investigate the company’s history, for example, the length of time they have been in the shipping business and do they have a track record of meeting and exceeding the customer’s needs and expectations.   This is a good indication that they know what they are doing and that they have been doing it successfully for years.
   

3. When we spend our hard earned money to purchase items to send back home, we want to know that the price we pay to ship these goods are competitive.  Price comparison is necessary but make sure you are comparing “apples to apples”.  Is the price being quoted for the same service and the same quality service?
   

4. Even though in the eyes of many people all over the world, Caribbean people are considered to be laid back – the “don’t worry, be happy” syndrome - as Caribbean people we know that we are equally as interested in on- time shipping and the meeting of deadlines as the next man.  Get a good idea of the shipping schedules and cut-off times so you can do the proper planning to get your shipments to Caribbean in the time when you need them.
   
5. No matter how good the service might be in the U.S., the other side of the coin is whether it is just as good and dependable in each island.  The shipping company’s responsibility does not end once the goods are shipped.  It ends when the consignee in Jamaica has received the shipment on time, safely and securely, and is pleased with the service they have received from the agents in the respective island.  Fast stripping and quick inspection and processing through Customs is key to the on time delivery of shipments.  Does the shipping company have a system – a ONE STOP CLEARANCE SERVICE – that allows your party to clear their goods easily and without hassle?
   
6. Another question to ask with respect to the shipping company is how secure your shipment is while in the hands of this company.  Are the buildings secure with alarm systems and cameras to document activity?  Are the warehouses in the islands secure with guards, security checkpoints and alarm systems?  Is there liability insurance that covers your shipment when in the possession of the shipping company?
   
7. And, finally, what about information?  Is the shipping company able to give you immediate, up-to-date information on where your shipment is at all times?  Does it have a fully computerized tracking system?  Is information available to you as well as to your party in the island concerning the whereabouts of your shipment?

We invite you to measure the service of FINLAY’S SHIP THE CARIBBEAN using these criteria.  We are sure our company will be your Shipping Company of Choice as we meet and surpass these yardsticks of excellent performance.