Weekly, I am reminded of how vastly different the freight world can be from the small package world. A $5.00 error in small package can be a $100.00 mistake in freight. I see mistakes and errors that I know are avoidable. These mistakes can cost you money.
Here are a few key things to keep in mind when you are quoting or shipping freight. As time goes by, I will write about new pieces of information, or repeat old ones that need repeating.
#1. Always check the ship-to address to make sure that the location is really a business or a residence. Use Google street view and go look at that address. If it isn’t clearly a commercial building, then the carrier will call it a residence. Unlike UPS/FedEx where the difference is under $10.00, this same mistake with freight can cost you $50-$150.00, depending on what happens
#2. Ask, advise, and warn the customer and consignee that the carrier expects to deliver in a normal size truck. If for whatever reason they can’t, that can and will cost delays and possible increases in costs, or worse they simply can’t deliver at all.
#3. When shipping to a business, it is best to have the business name, a contact name and their phone number. Don’t make the simple mistake of not having the business name. They WILL charge for a residence when billing doesn’t see a business name. The best practice is to have all this and the business hours noted on the bill of lading. If the carrier attempts to deliver at 4:30 pm and the business is closed, you will be responsible for a re-delivery fee. This is usually starts at $89.50, plus a day or two delay. The carriers consider normal business hours between 8:00 and 5:00.
Thank you,
Jeff Ballantyne, AMBC Freight
Source: AMBC Blog