Top 5 Courier Services in Ottawa
Sometimes, a time-sensitive package or document needs to be picked up and delivered to a recipient ASAP. For those times, you’ll need the top courier services in Ottawa to help you out.
In the next section, we’ll look at some estimated costs on common courier services. There are also handy FAQs available at the end of this listicle.
How Much Does Courier Service in Ottawa Cost?
You’ll find that most of the courier services in Ottawa reviewed here today will offer customers a quote form for their parcel needs. It’s because the package’s destination, size, weight, contents, and other factors will affect your invoice
As the table below illustrates, the kind of courier service you’ll need will also have different rates and fees.
Please note that courier prices are still subject to HSTs and that some discounts might be offered for regularly-scheduled deliveries. It’s best to ask the company for more information about these.
1. A to B Couriers
Right off the bat, what makes A to B Couriers stand out is its capacity to deliver sensitive, fragile, and goods with special safety considerations. The company is Transporation of Dangerous Goods-certified so its team knows how to handle these kinds of packages with care.
Those with mixed freight needs can also have their goods accommodated with A to B Couriers’ 85 by 50-foot cargo capacity.
Its main pickup and delivery zone covers the entire Ottawa Valley including Stittsville, Kanata, Nepean, and more. However, it can also do long-haul deliveries to Toronto, Kingston, Montreal, Hamilton, and in-between points every few weeks.
There are currently no fixed services for long-haul deliveries, but the company is in the process of creating a commercial mailing list. This will enable businesses to receive alerts on upcoming long-haul runs, though there’s already a similar notification on its Facebook page.
Pros
- Certified for Transporation of Dangerous Goods
- Does both commercial and residential deliveries
- Can do long-haul deliveries outside Ottawa
Cons
- Currently no fixed schedules for long-haul deliveries
- Doesn’t indicate operating hours
- No pricing info provided
- No BBB accreditation
Customer Reviews
Prompt service, expert packing
“A to B couriers were an absolute lifesaver! Thanks for your prompt service and expert packing, everything arrived in tip-top shape! Would definitely recommend them.” – Debbi Bowes
Requests were accommodated and delivery was fast and easy
“I received my (very reasonable) quote right away and communication was fantastic All of my requests were accommodated and delivery was fast and easy.” – April Angell Hardwick
2. Gopher It Deliveries
Gopher It Deliveries used to be based in Saskatchewan but has since grown to accommodate all sorts of deliveries in Ottawa. It offers several levels of courier services: standard, same-day, rush, and bulk services.
The downside is that there’s a 25 lb. maximum weight per package, though excess weight can be accommodated with surcharges.
Its staff is made up of real employees and not contractual ones. This is an admirable move on the part of the company to ensure that employee is sufficiently trained and insured to handle packages safely.
The company also has a warehouse management service and comprehensive logistic solutions for its commercial clients. It has a dispatch service on the menu but it seems to be temporarily suspended.
There’s no price guide provided for these services but its delivery times are seven days a week between 9 AM to 4 PM. Earlier deliveries can be arranged but it will require an additional fee.
Pros
- No contractual staff
- Bulk delivery services are available
- Can deliver a wide range of items
Cons
- Doesn’t provide a price guide
- 25 lb. maximum weight per package
- Earlier deliveries have a surcharge
- No BBB accreditation
Customer Reviews
Delivered urgent document and peace of mind
“I assumed that delivery companies were all about delivering parcels…
I found out first-hand that they can deliver a few other things too: like my urgent document and peace of mind. Not only were all Gopher It staff so patient with this first-time (soon to be repeat) client, they were fast and reliable. Book them!” – Dawn Xavier-Franklin
Great experience, on-time delivery
“I use their services for my business, I can’t always personally deliver my art pieces so when I can not. I know my client is going to have a great experience and on-time delivery. Highly recommend them.” – Barbie Defazio
3. Ray’s Courier Services
Ray’s Courier Services can do same-day emergency delivery with the promise of one and the same fee regardless of package size and weight.
But how much that fee is exactly will have to wait until the company gets back to customers after filling out a quote form.
The company serves the Greater Toronto Area and can deliver to Ottawa and practically anywhere across Ontario. It caters to both residential and commercial clients.
Customers can book pickup and delivery services online which is quite convenient. Packages can be picked up in as little as half an hour with customer service available 24 hours a day.
We just wish Ray’s Courier Services will update its website information and design soon as it’s a bit of a strain to read the font currently being used against its choice of backgrounds. And the information can be presented in succinct and useful nuggets or tables instead of as huge chunks of paragraphs.
Pros
- Online pickup and delivery booking
- Serves residential and commercial clients
- Can accommodate last-minute pickup and deliveries
Cons
- Website design and info needs updating
- No base pricing info provided
- No BBB accreditation
Customer Reviews
Great reliable service
“I have two toddlers and sometimes it’s hard to get all my errands done! Great service I can rely on especially if I forget something important, I know I can depend on Ray’s courier service.” – Vanessa Guyadeen
Service was as promised
“Used once before, service was as promised. Would recommend and would definitely use again.” – Adi Adinka
4. 10 – 21 Sunrise
10 – 21 Sunrise was established over 25 years ago and has one of the lowest staff turnovers in the region. It’s because the company believes that its drivers need to make a living so it takes care of their wellbeing while still offering clients competitive courier prices.
We appreciate this gesture, but we also would’ve loved seeing a price guide as proof. There’s a comprehensive table of the company’s service levels which could be improved by the presence of service rates.
Its service levels include immediate, rush, same-day, overnight, overnight immediate, and overnight rush. They have to each be called in by particular times to meet target delivery times (60 minutes for immediate, 2 to 4 hours for rush, etc.).
Another unique feature about 10 – 21 Sunrise is how its drivers can contact each other at any time using a two-way radio system. This means that any accidents or emergencies such as vehicle breakdowns, traffic jams, wrong addresses, and other potentially delaying events can be remedied ASAP.
Pros
- Different delivery packages are available
- One-hour immediate delivery service offered
- Gives free estimates
Cons
- Doesn’t provide a price guide
- The office is open on weekdays only
- No BBB accreditation
Customer Reviews
Communication is excellent
“I needed something delivered to the airport to be shipped and 1021 sunrise went above and beyond to ensure it was delivered and went out of their way, communication is excellent and customer service is 100+++% highly recommend them for any delivery. I am a very happy customer.” – Stephanie Feletto
Provided exceptional service
“What a great team! I needed a delivery service in Ottawa with a stop-over and some waiting along the way. 1021 Sunrise took my business seriously and provided exceptional service. I mostly dealt with Nancy and she was very personable and understanding to my needs.” – Maryna White
5. Swift Delivery Systems
Swift Delivery Systems is a messenger service that’s been around for over four decades. It’s a Better Business Bureau-accredited company that has gotten no customer complaints since 1981.
It’s open 24 hours a day to accommodate documents and parcels that are time-sensitive. There’s a downtown hub that helps drivers and couriers facilitate faster service and use a tried-and-tested route optimization system across Ottawa and Gatineau.
But while it operates all year round, orders placed after 5.30 PM and on weekends and holidays can only be done by phone. Perhaps a live customer service can remedy this since it already operates 24/7.
To accomplish its list of services, the company has a fleet of different-sized vehicles. It includes passenger cars, minivans, cargo vans, 5-ton trucks, and even flatbed and tractor-trailers.
It offers a maximum liability of $2 per pound (or $4.41 per kilogram up to 50 pounds). But in case of a higher declared value, Swift Delivery System’s maximum liability will be the lesser of the actual loss or the declared value.
For those needing out-of-town shipments to Toronto, Montreal, or Calgary, the company can only ship parcels with a declared value not exceeding $5,000. There are also no local or area-applicable insurance provisions, which is a bit disappointing.
Pros
- Route optimization system ensures faster service
- Operates all year-round
- Can deliver time-sensitive packages
- BBB-accredited, Aᐩ rating
Cons
- Out-of-town shipment can’t exceed $5,000 declared value
- Doesn’t provide a price guide
- Holidays, weekends, and after 5.30 PM orders accommodated by phone only
Customer Reviews
Exemplary service received from the company
“I just wanted to let you know that we often remark on the exemplary service we receive from your company. We can always count on you and I wanted you to know because even though we think it often, I thought we should really take the time to actually let you know what a great job you do. I would, and have, referred your company and would definitely continue to do so.” – Anders, Young, Strong & Jonah
Swift’s overall performance includes lowest claims ratio / nightly on-time reporting / lowest to zero complaints
“As the World’s largest ‘Direct Seller’ of Women’s cosmetics and women’s products, AVON Canada recognizes Swift Delivery Systems in Ottawa, as our top Canadian carrier for the sales campaign years 2011/2012. This is the third time we have recognized Swift for their ‘service excellence’ over and above our many other Canadian carriers since Swift became our Ottawa terminal vendor in 1990, servicing Eastern Ontario, The Seaway Valley and Western Quebec regions, handling in excess of 54,000 shipments on an annual basis.
Swift’s overall performance includes lowest claims ratio / nightly on-time reporting / lowest to zero complaints along with consistent, prompt delivery, which is just a few of the many qualities Swift has been providing to AVON. In particular, Swift’s service truly excels during our heavy peak periods leading up to Christmas when volumes are extremely heavy and the weather is less cooperative.
Many thanks to the entire dedicated Swift team including management, support staff and drivers. It is because of conscientious suppliers like Swift providing this calibre of exceptional services that allows AVON Canada to expand our territories and ensure our product lines reach their destinations securely and in a timely manner.” – Stan C (Avon Canada)
FAQs About Courier Services in Ottawa
The top courier service in Ottawa can help you get your parcels and documents delivered ASAP. If we missed out on a good courier service in this listicle, please give us a heads up.
For other delivery options, feel free to check out the following published articles: