Seller Own Fleet (SOF) on Shopee and Delivered by Seller (DBS) on Lazada allow Singapore merchants to fulfill orders using their own vehicles and drivers rather than third-party couriers. This is ideal for bulky goods, fresh perishables, or items requiring installation.
To run SOF successfully, merchants need route optimization software, real-time inventory tracking, and electronic Proof of Delivery (ePOD), like those integrated into Cartrack's fleet management platform.
The e-Commerce industry is growing fast in Singapore! Is SOF worth looking into?
Definitely! But only if you know what to expect and how to manage it all. Here’s everything you need to know about Seller Own Fleet or Delivery by Seller on Lazada and Shopee.
Seller Own Fleet allows you to take control of the delivery process of sold products on Shopee or Lazada, bypassing the courier aspect of the transaction. You’ll be responsible for all the steps relating to delivery, including communication with the recipient, the loading of the product, the car or van trip, and the dropoff.
Products that qualify for Seller Own Fleet delivery are items that need to include installation after the dropoff, perishables that need to retain freshness, and items that are too bulky for regular delivery. If the integrity of these products are somewhat specialised in their delivery requirements, you can apply for SOF or DBS on the Shopee or Lazada platforms.
When bypassing the traditional means of online product delivery, your operations will be affected in the following ways:
Seller Own Fleet is a way to gain more control over the brand, products and customer interactions of an online seller. It also allows you to bypass the expenses that come with third party courier providers. If your products are more nuanced than regular buy-and-dropoff items, then this is a good way to gain operational supervision.
Online sellers of furniture may need to install or assemble the item once it arrives, making SOF a good option for pre-assembled items. Others may need to ensure the integrity of their perishable products by maintaining temperature control during transit. Certain products may also be awkward to deliver due to their size or weight, making SOF a viable solution.
A lot of online sellers want to be involved in the delivery process because they see it as an integral part of their service delivery. By opting for SOF, they manage to build a solid reputation of quick deliveries, friendly service and professionalism when delivering their products.
A big reason for SOF being preferred among online sellers is the ability to curb delivery costs and redistribute savings back into the business itself. Third party couriers charge for their time, fuel and effort, but these costs can be carried by the sellers themselves which results in higher profit margins.
It’s challenging to run a Seller Own Fleet delivery operation without the help of tracking technology. You’ll need software to digitise and archive your paperwork, meet strict customer expectations, and handle returns. You’ll also be responsible for stock management according to the strict requirements of online platforms like Shopee and Lazada.
Once orders for your products start streaming in, you’ll need a manageable schedule to get them delivered. Shopee has a one- to four-day time limit on deliveries. If you miss this deadline, you’ll get penalised with Non-Fulfillment Rate (NFR) points.
Besides these platform-based penalties, you’ll also be disappointing your customers. According to Anchanto, 85% of online deliveries are ordered via mobile devices. These customers usually expect same-day delivery of their products as standard practice. Meeting or not meeting this requirement could be the difference between the life or death of your business.
Delivery and workforce management software is the best way to ensure your customers get the best ETAs without your drivers having to compromise their safety in meeting expectations.
Having a product returned and refunded can put delays on your regular delivery operations, but not if you have a system that handles returns quickly and methodically. There’s also paperwork and financial obligations involved, which means you should invest in a system that ensures returns won’t interfere with new orders.
Connecting each “Stock Available” display on Lazada or Shopee that’s accurate is a strict requirement on both e-commerce platforms. If you’re selling over multiple online platforms, you’ll need a reliable stock tracking platform that consistently represents your true stock availability over all of them.
Route optimisation software provides real-time, dynamic route selection and route deviation capabilities that updates according to real-world circumstances. Your drivers should be enabled to make deliveries safely and efficiently.
Customers aren’t interested in excuses like bad weather, roadblocks or traffic congestion. They want the reliability of a consistent drop-off service that can be counted on. You’ll need to meet these expectations and still keep an eye on your fuel bill while doing so.
A POD system that tracks every successful delivery allows you to handle disputes in a legal & professional manner. Your delivery software must allow for photos, receipts and signatures to be recorded, saved and accessed for later use.
If you’re deciding between Shopee and Lazada for your online selling, here’s how they differ in terms of SOF or DBS:
Cartrack provides software that assists with delivery operations in over 23 different countries. We focus on the processes that matter to you; those that promote customer retention, brand recognition and delivery reliability. Contact us to learn more about how we help you track your orders like a professional.
Learn how to benefit from the Seller Own Fleet option on Shopee and Lazada and take control of your delivery obligations with state-of-the-art technology.
