Delivery company UPS has hit a milestone with its UPS My Choice service, which has had its 20 millionth customer.

Online shopper UPS My Choice members register with the company ahead of having their parcels delivered. They will be informed of their delivery the day before it arrives, and if they will not be in they can re-route the package to a work address or have it held until a convenient date or time. UPS My Choice customers can also leave a note with the delivery driver telling them of a secure place to leave the parcel.

Most delivery alerts include a two hour delivery window that may help the customer be in the right place at the right time. European company DPD offers this service to all customers without registration – instead, the e-tailer passes on the contact details and DPD informs the customer on the morning of delivery. This in part is the reason for DPD winning awards for its excellent customer service.

Stu Marcus, UPS Vice President of customer technology said of this programme, “With the continued growth of global e-commerce comes more packages. UPS is focused on delivering where consumers are, not where they aren’t, and improving the online shopping experience.”

The customer not being in when the delivery is made is a problem for the customer and the delivery company alike, and this UPS My Choice as well as DPD UK’s policy of informing customers as to when the parcel will be delivered, as well as giving them the option of delivery at a more convenient time, are programmes that suit the delivery driver, who will have fewer missed drops on their route, as well as the customer who often lives in fear of the “Sorry we missed you” card lying on their doorstep when they get home…