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How Freight Works
How Freight Works
This guide is mostly written for our customers without commercial docks who receive freight infrequently. If you have never received freight before, you should definitely read this entire guide. The freight companies have complicated logistical operations, and mistakes do happen.
Let’s start with the absolute basics that everyone receiving freight should know:
1. A standard delivery will be dropped off at the delivery address. If you want the carrier to provide extra service, it costs extra!
2. If you have a delivery appointment, answer your phone! The carrier will call you to schedule an appointment date and time for delivery.
3. Always check the package before signing for it. If there is any damage, you MUST take pictures, notate the specifics of it on the bill of lading, and get the carrier’s driver to sign for it.
This guide is mostly written for our customers without commercial docks who receive freight infrequently. If you have never received freight before, you should definitely read this entire guide. The freight companies have complicated logistical operations, and mistakes do happen.
Let’s start with the absolute basics that everyone receiving freight should know:
1. A standard delivery will be dropped off at the delivery address. If you want the carrier to provide extra service, it costs extra!
2. If you have a delivery appointment, answer your phone! The carrier will call you to schedule an appointment date and time for delivery.
3. Always check the package before signing for it. If there is any damage, you MUST take pictures, notate the specifics of it on the bill of lading, and get the carrier’s driver to sign for it.
You Placed A Large Pallet Order. Now What Happens?
Once you place your order, you will receive an order confirmation automated email. Your order will be processed within one business day. Once processed, if there is any lead time on your order or palletization time you will receive an estimated ship date from our shipping team. Once your order is palleted, we will book your order for freight shipment. The carrier usually picks the load up within one business day. After the carrier picks up the load, you will receive a PRO tracking number from us along with a link to the carrier site. Our team keeps an eye on the tracking for any issues all the way through to delivery. If you have any questions while waiting, please reach out to us.
Freight Delivery: Commercial Addresses
A commercial delivery is a freight shipment to a commercial building or business. If the location does not have a commercial dock or a forklift, in most cases you will need a liftgate. A commercial delivery without a liftgate is the most cost-effective way to send freight.
Freight Delivery: Residential Addresses
A residential delivery is a freight shipment to a residential home. By default, we book a residential delivery with an appointment and liftgate. Most of this guide is written with the residential customer in mind, as most are not familiar with how freight works.
You Are About To Receive Your Shipment. What Should Be Done On Delivery Day?
On delivery day, please have the phone on in case the driver calls. Have a clean location for the semi-truck to pull up to the curb or driveway. If everything looks good when it arrives, no need for pictures...but on the rare occasion where there is damage to a load, please do the following steps:
- Once the driver opens the door, if you see any damage to the pallet/load please take pictures while still on the trailer.
- Once offloaded to the ground, take pictures. Then unwrap packaging to see any actual material damage. Please note any damage on the delivery receipt the driver will ask you to sign.
- We must have damage noted on that delivery receipt to recoup any claims.
LTL Freight? Here is what you need to know!
Team Second Skin has been shipping pallets across the globe for 20+ years. For a residential delivery, we will assume that you want an appointment scheduled and need a lift gate to accept delivery. This means that the carrier will call you prior to delivering the materials and will arrive on a smaller truck with a liftgate on the back. They will not bring the materials inside the home or even to your door without additional service being paid for.
In the freight world, we use PRO # for shipment tracking. These numbers can be dropped onto the carrier's website tracking page to show the location and estimated delivery day. Once sent to you, keep an eye on your tracking and check for calls/voicemails from the carrier. If you need to hold, set up an appointment, or find your shipment, use the carrier's contact number and the PRO # to discuss the shipment with them. If you have any troubles with them, reach out to our shipping team at 520-574-7513 Mon-Fri 9 am to 5 pm EST.
LTL = Less Than Truckload (1-4 pallets)
- Typical Pallet Sizes:
◦ 48" x 40" (Most automotive and small panel shipments)
◦ 54" x 48" (MLV and UnderBlock rolls)
◦ 48" x 96" (Large acoustic panels, doors, windows)
Delivery Options That You Need To Advise Us Of:
◦ Appointment Delivery - Needed for deliveries when someone isn't on-site during business hours 8 am - 5 pm. Also good to set up for residential delivery if you won't be home during the day.
◦ Residential Delivery - We must know if your delivery address is non-commercial (home, apartment, condo, etc).
◦ Lift Gate Delivery - If the location is residential or commercial without a dock or forklift, we need to know. We will have to book you liftgate service. Which will use a semi-truck with a gate in the back to drop the pallet street/curbside.
◦ Limited Access Delivery - Needed for schools, prisons, government properties, gated communities, hospitals, construction sites, or anywhere the driver must take extra steps to get to the location of delivery.
◦ White Glove Service - Extra service for upgraded costs to deliver on location, break down the load, bring the materials inside the location, and then take away the pallet and packing materials.
For shipments to Canada or Mexico, customer is responsible for all duties and taxes that your country charges for importing goods.
Frequently Asked Questions!
What is a bill of lading (BOL)?
A BOL is a document that details the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being carried by the freight company.
What is a PRO number?
A PRO # is the tracking number freight companies use to identify and track pallet shipments.
How can I lower my freight cost?
Shipping freight means a semi trailer is dropping off the pallet. So, shipping to a commercial location with dock/forklift service on-site will always be the cheapest option and will save between $100-150 on a pallet shipment. The reason residential freight costs $100-150 more, is because the carrier has to use a semi trailer to ship the pallet from our warehosue to the local terminal in your area. Then for residential they have to sub-contract a smaller local carrier with a liftgate to drop the pallet on a residential street or driveway.
I won't be at the location daily, how do I get them to call me before arriving?
When you order, let us know you need Appointment Delivery. We will set your shipment up for them to call you and set up a good time to delivery before they try to come out.
Can I change the delivery address?
It depends on how far your shipment is into the journey. Changing from a commercial delivery to a residential delivery after pick up can get more expensive. There is the change of address fee of $65-90, then $150 residential fee, and if liftgate service is added on afterwards it is $175. Depending on any extra miles the carrier has to drive, they can charge for milage too. Changing to a commercial address usually only costs the $65-90 change of address fee as long as the delivery is in the same city. The customer will need to pay these fees to us via PayPal invoice to change the address.
Tracking Links For Common Carriers We Use
| Freight Carrier | Tracking Link |
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FedEx |
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TForce |
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XPO Logistics |
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Forward Air |
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Estes |
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ABF |
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R & L |
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Central Transport |
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RoadRunner |
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AAA Cooper |