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Johannesburg - The South African Post Office (Sapo) strikes have made it challenging to deliver documents and parcels, but an e-commerce firm has launched a courier comparison site to offer an alternative.
Dubbed ‘CourierScout.co.za’, the site made by Vaimo South Africa went live at the start of November and helps users gather online quotes for delivery services.
Users of the site can enter their relevant information and then be linked to available couriers that deliver in that area with a list of prices. The site works on an e-commerce basis whereby users can pay via their credit card details once they’ve chosen their preferred quote.
Couriers listed on the site include the likes of Aramex, Fastway and CourierIT.Courier costs are traditionally higher than those offered by the post office. But Vaimo says its best rates are R88 door to door with VAT included for local deliveries, lower than market-related courier costs for major town deliveries of R100.
“Many of our customers are now using couriers to deliver mail rather than Sapo,” Immo Böhm, a director at Vaimo South Africa, told Fin24.
“Mostly the mail consists of legal documents, insurance policies and debtors statements. Both types of documents are critical to arrive speedily with proper proof of delivery,” he added.
Böhm explained to Fin24 that “tough competition” in the courier industry means efficient deliveries are expected.
Strike cripples postal services
A four month post office strike has crippled postal services in South Africa as 7 900 casual workers across the country demand an 8% wage hike and permanent employment.
Post has been piling up as Sapo also faces a R400m shortfall. Meanwhile, Sapo's board also resigned earlier this month, plunging the post office into further crisis.
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