Speed, timeliness, and efficiency are important factors in choosing a transportation mode. Some products must be transported very quickly. Think of an organ for transplant travelling between donor and recipient hospitals. Other products are subject to less rigid transportation conditions. Occasionally, if products are very perishable, transportation companies will allow a change in destination. For example, if a shipment of fresh flowers is wilting, a transportation company might chose a closer destination.

Dependability is another important factor. Retailers lose sales when products don't arrive on time, or are damaged. When a carrier is undependable, the seller must keep more products in inventory, which increases inventory costs. Choosing dependable carriers is important, especially when the product can be damaged easily or when the shipment is time-sensitive (i.e., on a strict schedule.)

FedEx expected to deliver on time 355 million parcels during the 2016 Christmas season.

Imagine the long-term repercussions if FedEx customers discovered FedEx was unable to meet the demand.