How to ship Takealot orders with Bob Go

How to ship Takealot orders with Bob Go

Shipping in action

How to ship Takealot orders with Bob Go

Follow the correct booking, documentation and courier process when sending stock to a Takealot warehouse through Bob Go.

Takealot deliveries follow a specific process and should not be handled in the same way as a standard business delivery.

Through Bob Go, only The Courier Guy, RAM, Skynet and Internet Express should be used for deliveries to Takealot.

Before you book

Always include the PO number, due date and vendor number in the delivery instructions and book Takealot shipments using the ECO service.

How to book a Takealot shipment

1. Receive and allocate your PO

  • Once a sale is made, Takealot issues a Purchase Order (PO) with a due date.
  • Log in to the Takealot Seller Portal.
  • Allocate the PO to your selected courier.

2. Create the shipment in Bob Go

  • Create and fulfill the order using one of the supported Takealot couriers.
  • Add the PO number to the delivery instructions.
  • Add the due date.
  • Add the vendor number.

3. Book using ECO

All Takealot shipments must be booked using the ECO service. Booking on OVN or LSE does not replace the Takealot booking process or help bring the delivery forward.

4. Pre-alert the courier

For all supported couriers except The Courier Guy, email Bob Go Support and the relevant courier contacts before 14:45.

5. Prepare your documentation

Make sure the shipment includes:

  • Shipping note inside and outside the parcel
  • PO confirmation
  • Correct parcel labelling

1. The Courier Guy

The Courier Guy is the recommended option for Takealot deliveries and has a direct arrangement with Takealot.

  • Can automatically rebook to earlier available slots where applicable.
  • Always include the PO number in the special instructions.

2. RAM

RAM is a strong alternative and regularly handles Takealot shipments.

  • Existing clients: provide the booking confirmation and PO.
  • New clients: provide the full documentation, including labels, notes, PO and booking information.

3. Skynet

  • Can handle Takealot shipments but is not specialised for them.
  • Requires full documentation.
  • Uses a dedicated driver for these deliveries.

4. Internet Express

  • Cost effective, but the process is more manual.
  • Does not automatically rebook.
  • Notify Internet Express and Bob Go after booking.
  • The delivery due time should not be earlier than 10:30.

Additional RAM requirement

When allocating a Takealot shipment to RAM on Adaptress for JNB, DBN or CPT, send an email containing:

  • UAR / BOBR waybill number
  • Linked PO number
  • Takealot hub of delivery

Address the email to Bob Go and copy bella.nthite@ram.co.za and Kimberley.Wallace@ram.co.za.

Couriers not supported for Takealot

Do not use:

  • Fastway
  • MTE Xpress
  • City Logistics
  • Citi Sprint / Breaze / Drop24

These couriers do not support the Takealot delivery process and may result in delays, failed deliveries, returns and additional charges.

Understanding Takealot timelines

Collection dates

A date such as 17 NOV indicates the earliest collection date. Collection will not take place before that date.

Delivery slots

Takealot controls the delivery booking date and time. The courier submits the PO for booking and Takealot provides the available booking slot. Couriers cannot manually bring the slot forward.

Tracking and PODs

Will I see an Out for delivery status?

Not always. Takealot shipments do not necessarily follow the same tracking events as a standard delivery.

When will the POD be available?

PODs can take 24 to 48 hours to reflect because of Takealot's internal processing.

Once the POD is available, Takealot has processed the delivery and recorded whether the parcels were accepted or rejected. Any discrepancies should then be raised with Takealot in line with the POD.

Handling rejected POS

An existing waybill can only be reused if:

  • The PO was rejected.
  • The parcel is still with the courier.
  • No return has been booked.

How to correct a rejected PO

  1. Create a new PO in the Takealot Seller Portal.
  2. Allocate the new PO to the existing waybill.
  3. Prepare the updated shipping note, PO confirmation and supporting documents.
  4. Send the updated documents to the courier and Bob Go.

Good to know: A new waybill is not required when the existing waybill qualifies to be reused.

Common reasons shipments are rejected

  • Damaged or worn packaging
  • Incorrect or repackaged boxes
  • Product damage, including leaks or breakages
  • Missing PO or supporting documentation

Returns vs rejections

Rejection

The parcel is refused during receiving and should be addressed as quickly as possible.

  • Resolve within 24 hours where possible.
  • It may require a new PO or updated documentation.

Return

A return may occur when:

  • A PO remains missing for more than 48 hours.
  • Documentation is incomplete.
  • Shipment information is incorrect.

PO number missing from the waybill

If the PO number is missing from the waybill, Takealot may still accept the parcel, but a POD may not be issued and cannot be requested afterwards.

Use your own contact details

Use the merchant's contact details for the delivery address so that the courier can contact the correct person if assistance is required.

Key Takeaways

  • Always book Takealot shipments on ECO.
  • Include the PO number on the label, documents and delivery instructions.
  • Use The Courier Guy wherever possible.
  • Make sure parcels reach the depot before the required cut-off times.
  • Follow packaging requirements carefully to reduce the risk of rejection.
  • Act quickly when you receive communication about a problem with a Takealot shipment.