Precise delivery: what it means and why it matters more than speed

Delivery speed has been the mantra of e‑commerce for years. But more and more customers are starting to value something else: precision. It is no longer about delivering “as fast as possible”. What matters is delivering exactly when the customer expects it.

✅ TL;DR – What precise delivery is and why it matters

• It is not just about whether a parcel arrives today or tomorrow
• It is about arriving within a precisely selected time window
• The customer knows when the courier will arrive – and can plan accordingly
• The result is higher satisfaction, fewer returns and fewer complaints

🔍 Speed vs. precision

👤 What customers really want

• Not “it will arrive sometime tomorrow”, but “it will arrive tomorrow between 5–7 pm”
• No stress from rescheduling meetings because of a delivery
• No calls to dispatchers, but clear information via email and SMS

📌 Precise delivery = certainty, convenience, reliability

📈 What does an e‑shop gain?

• Lower number of failed deliveries
• Fewer delivery‑related complaints
• Higher ratings and reviews
• Customers who come back

🛠️ How to implement precise delivery

1. Choose a carrier that offers slot‑based delivery (delivery on a pre‑selected day and within a selected time window)
2. Integrate time‑slot selection directly into the checkout (e.g. via a widget)
3. Set up notifications – email/SMS with delivery time and tracking
4. Monitor performance – SLA, delivery accuracy, customer feedback
5. Use data – adapt time slots based on demand

🧪 Use case: Alkohol.cz

For e‑shops selling heavy, bulky or fragile goods, delivery is not just the “last step”. It is a critical moment that determines customer satisfaction – and how much pressure ends up on customer support.

Alkohol.cz switched to slot‑based delivery with a precise day and time to gain control over customer expectations and its own operations.

What changed in practice:

• Significant reduction in customer complaints thanks to delivery on a selected day and time
• Relief for customer support and back office, previously handling delivery uncertainty
• Faster dispatch of express orders from the Prague warehouse thanks to predictable slots
• Higher perceived value of delivery – customers accept higher prices in exchange for comfort and certainty
• Reliable delivery of heavy and bulky shipments, including carry‑in to the door
• Extension of the sales week to Saturday without changing assortment or pricing

From the e‑shop’s perspective, precise delivery has shifted:

• from a cost item
• to a tool that improves customer experience and operational efficiency

How the e‑shop itself evaluates it:

“With the previous carrier, customer support was constantly overloaded. With slot‑based delivery from DODO, these problems practically disappeared – customers know when their order will arrive, and we can focus on sales.”
Tereza Pálková, Head of Business Development, Alkohol.cz

❓ Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is precise delivery demanding in terms of logistics?
Yes – but advanced systems like DODO optimize routes so that time‑specific delivery is both reliable and efficient.

Do customers mind having to choose a time?
On the contrary. Time selection is perceived as a benefit – it gives customers control.

Is this realistic for small e‑shops?
Yes. Slot‑based delivery can also be implemented by smaller e‑shops if they cooperate with a carrier that can handle it technically.

🚀 Summary

Precise delivery today is more than an “extra service”. It is a sign of trust, professionalism and customer care. Brands that embrace it do not just gain satisfied customers – they gain customers who return.