|
|
When should I use a common carrier?
When your item weighs more than 150 lbs., truck transportation
is more economical than using a parcel service. Common carriers
transport your item on a truck with additional small shipments
so that the costs for transportation are shared. If your shipment
weighs more than 8,000 lbs, you may need an entire truck (or
have a Truckload shipment). Standard procedure for common carriers
involves a truck driver backing up to a dock to be loaded by
the consignor (shipper), and driving the cargo to the receiving
destination to be unloaded by the consignee. Any service that
isn't considered "standard procedure" may require
additional fees. |
| |
Are transit times guaranteed?
Transit times are guaranteed only if noted as such on the carrier
options list returned for your quote. All other transit times
are reliable, but not guaranteed. Transit times do not include
the day of pickup. |
| |
What happens
if my shipment isn't ready when the driver comes?
Most commonly, the driver will not wait. The driver will be dispatched
for the following day, which delays your service. You will be assessed
a fee if the carrier charges freightnshipping.com for the duplicated
pickup. |
| |
Can I estimate
the weight of my shipment?
If an inaccurate weight or class is used and a shipment is reweighed
or re-classed by the carrier, those costs may be passed on to you.
Reweighing may also delay delivery. |
| |
What is the
claims process?
Claims are handled directly between the shipper, consignee and
the carrier. freightnshipping.com is not involved in the actual
claims process and has no influence in the carrier's claim decision.
Claims with the carrier must be filed within 90 days of delivery.
The claimant should only file for loss or damage on the product
which was shipped. ALWAYS be as concise as possible in noting specific
damage on the delivery receipt. Our representatives can coach you
on filing a claim and provide the proper forms. |
| |
Do I call the carrier after scheduling with
freighnshipping.com?
Please do not call the freight carrier or terminal - this will
duplicate the pickup. When you schedule with freighnshipping.com,
we contact the carrier electronically. |
| |
What should I do with the Bill of Lading?
All parties involved should have a copy of the Bill of Lading (buyer,
seller and carrier). It is imperative that the BOL be given to
the truck driver when he makes the pickup. Keep one copy for
your records. |
| |
How should I package my shipments?
Please package, crate or stack on pallets securely to prevent damage.
Secure cartons to the pallet with banding, shrink-wrap, stretch-wrap
or breakaway adhesive. Improper packaging may void the carrier's
liability for damage. Stack cartons squarely on the skid with
no overhang. Be sure the top surface is flat. Labels must be
placed on every piece or package. See Packaging Tips |
| |
Can I schedule a shipment and have it picked
up on the same day?
Yes, but this service cannot be guaranteed due to our carriers'
capacity. Please allow a 4-hour window before your docks close
so freighnshipping.com can get a driver dispatched out to your
location within that same day. Please note that carriers normally
make pickups in the afternoon and deliver in the morning. |
| |
What is a NMFC number?
This is a numeric indicator that specifically identifies each type
of product that can be shipped by a LTL carrier. The National
Motor Freight Association presets these product classifications
quarterly. It is always helpful to have the NMFC number on the
Bill of Lading in order to avoid re-classification and accurately
identify each product you ship. You can contact freighnshipping.com
at 877-618-6058 to determine the NMFC number for your products. |
| |
What if my items are fragile?
When shipping personal or fragile items, it is best to use Blanket
Wrap services (also known as Van Line Services). Freight carriers
can move personal items but they will only offer 10 cents per
pound in insuring your freight. Van Lines specialize in moving
personal items and will offer additional insurance to cover your
item's value. Common carriers are NOT recommended for shipping
costly fragile items. |
| |
Do fees apply for residential service?
The carrier defines a business as a location that opens and closes
to the general public at set times each day. You may be considered
a residence if you are located in a residential zone, even if
you open and close at set times. Schools, colleges, and churches
located in residential zones may also incur residential fees.
If the driver is required to go inside (beyond the front door
or loading dock) to pickup or deliver a load instead of remaining
on the dock or in his truck, additional fees may be applied.
When the shipping or receiving address does not have a loading
dock, manual loading or unloading is necessary. A lift-gate is
a platform at the back of the truck that can raise and lower
a shipment from the ground to the truck. Additional fees apply
for this service. |
| |
Are your rates guaranteed?
freighnshipping.com has accounts set up with regional and national
carriers based on our ability to give them a large volume of
shipments. To ensure that you receive the freighnshipping.com
rate that we have quoted, you must provide the driver with a
copy of the freighnshipping.com BOL. This lets the carrier know
to bill the shipment on the freighnshipping.com account at the
discounts we have negotiated. |
| |
What happens if I receive a bill directly
from a carrier?
Simply call our customer service department at 877-618-6058 and
fax a copy of the bill you received. Our customer service staff
will be happy to take care of it and have the charges properly
credited. This situation usually occurs when the freightnshipping.com
BOL is not used. To prevent future problems, please make sure that
the shipper gives the driver a copy of the automated freighnshipping.com
BOL for every shipment. |
| |
What is dimensional weight?
Dimensional weight is a standard formula used throughout the freight
industry that considers a package's density when determining
charges. Transportation charges are based on the gross weight
of the shipment or the dimensional weight of the shipment; whichever
is greater. Simply put, dimensional weight is when the weight
of a package is inappropriately less than the actual size of
the package. For example, a box filled with inflated balloons. |
| |
When do dimensional weight charges apply?
When the actual weight of a package is less than the calculated
dimensional weight, carriers charge by the dimensional weight. |