Dedicated or shared courier: what to compare for same-day jobs
A dedicated courier puts your goods in a vehicle that goes straight from collection to delivery. A shared or multi-drop service carries several customers' items on one route, often through a depot. Shared delivery can suit routine, non-urgent items. When a deadline matters, a dedicated vehicle with one driver usually fits better. Send It Direct runs dedicated same-day jobs: one driver goes direct, with no depot stops and no transfers.
What's the difference?
Dedicated
One vehicle and one driver for your job, from collection to delivery. Your consignment is the only customer load on board, so the timing depends on your job alone.
Shared or multi-drop
Your item travels with other customers' items on a planned route, and may be sorted at a depot. The timing depends on the whole route.
When does each suit a job?
- Dedicated suits deadlines, such as court filings, a part holding up a production line, event deliveries or medical samples, and anything you want signed for by a named person.
- Dedicated suits large, heavy or awkward loads that need the right vehicle, such as a Luton or a 5m flatbed.
- Shared delivery can suit routine parcels where a set time doesn't matter.
What to ask before you book
- Is the vehicle dedicated to my job, or will it make other drops on the way?
- Will my goods go through a depot or change vehicles?
- Who has custody from collection to delivery?
- What proof of delivery do I get?
- What collection time will you quote?
How Send It Direct handles a dedicated job
We quote collection at 30–60 minutes, typically within 45 minutes, anywhere in the UK. One driver then goes direct to the delivery address, with no depot stops, no transfers and no other customers' drops on the way. We match the vehicle to the load (vans, Lutons, our 5m flatbed and, in central Bristol, cargo bikes), and you get a signature and timestamped photo on handover. Every delivery is carbon neutral, certified by Carbon Neutral Britain, with a tree planted for every delivery.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What is a dedicated courier?+
A dedicated courier carries only your job in one vehicle, with one driver going straight from collection to delivery, rather than adding your item to a shared route.
When is a shared or multi-drop service enough?+
For routine parcels where a set delivery time doesn't matter. If there's a deadline, a named recipient or a large or awkward load, a dedicated vehicle usually fits better.
Does Send It Direct use depots?+
No. One driver goes direct from collection to delivery, with no depot stops and no transfers.
Which vehicles can you send?+
Vans, Lutons, our own 5m flatbed and, in central Bristol, cargo bikes. Tell us the length, weight and how the load is handled, and we'll match the vehicle to it.
How quickly can you collect?+
We quote collection at 30–60 minutes, typically within 45 minutes, anywhere in the UK, and confirm the collection time when you book.