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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. |
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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. |
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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 Freight Shipping Quote.Net
for the duplicated pickup. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Do I call the carrier after scheduling
with Freight Shipping Quote.Net?
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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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 us at 877-256-9310
to determine the NMFC
number for your products. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Are your rates guaranteed?
Freightshippingquote.net 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 Freightshippingquote.net BOL. This lets the carrier know
to bill the shipment on the Freightshippingquote.net account at the
discounts we have negotiated. |
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What happens if I receive a bill directly
from a carrier?
Simply call our customer
service department at 877-256-9310
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 Freightshippingquote.net BOL for every shipment. |
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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. |
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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.
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