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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 ltlshipping.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. ltlshipping.net 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
ltlshipping.net?
Please do not call the freight carrier or terminal - this will duplicate
the pickup. When you schedule with ltlshipping.net, 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 ltlshipping.net
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 ltlshipping.net at 877-618-6058
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?
ltlshipping.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 ltlshipping.net rate that we
have quoted, you must provide the driver with a copy of the ltlshipping.net
BOL. This lets the carrier know to bill the shipment on the ltlshipping.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 ltlshipping.net BOL is
not used. To prevent future problems, please make sure that the shipper
gives the driver a copy of the automated ltlshipping.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. |