Understanding Shipping
We live in a digital age highlighted by a digital marketplace. The number of people buying and selling goods online keeps on increasing and more and more business is done online than ever before. However, many consumers still do not understand how shipping works for the purchases they make. Whether you buy from a big box store, Amazon, Ebay, or a small business online, the delivery of goods must take place. Depending on what you purchase, the delivery can be simple or more complex. Understanding how companies process online orders and how they ship them is key to ensure you have the proper expectations for delivery.
Small Products
Clothing and small electronics are some of the most popular items purchased online. They generally include free shipping and can be shipped in a variety of ways. Depending where you make the purchase generally determines where the item is shipped from and how it is shipped. A company like Amazon has a huge network of warehouses and in recent years has started running their own delivery service. A lot of major retailers will have deals with the USPS, UPS, and FedEx to deliver their goods to the purchaser. Many of these major retail companies will ship from retail store locations to enable the item to be shipped quicker; furthermore, a lot of these retail stores have buy online/pick up in store options. Finally small items like clothing and small electronics can easily be returned and many companies offer free shipping on returns and exchanges.
Large Items
There are many items that are sold online that are too large to ship via a small parcel service. These items can be anything from furniture, boats, large electronics, and even construction materials. Most of these items will ship by means of a freight company or a freight brokering firm. This means that the items will ship to where ever it needs to go by means of 18 wheel trucks. These trucks take product from one distribution center to another until the product arrives at the closest distribution center to its end destination. Depending on which company the product will be loaded onto a final truck and delivered to the end destination. What most people do not know and understand is these types of deliveries are dock delivery. This means the company is contracted to deliver to a loading dock. If a loading dock is not available a company might require a lift gate truck, which most companies charge more for, or the ability to unload the product from the back of the truck. Once the product is off the truck it is the end users responsibility to get the product inside. It is true that some truck drivers might aid you in the process but others will not and they are not required too.
The Importance of Planning
So what is a small business or individual to do if they have a large delivery and do not have a receiving dock? The easiest option is to request a lift gate truck, but there will be a fee associated with this. Another option is to call the delivery company to get a delivery window; this typically will be a time block of several hours of when to expect the truck. This information allows you to have some people to help you remove the product from the truck and bring it inside yourself. Finally, many companies will offer an inside delivery and sometimes even set up of certain products. You can always contact the seller to determine if this is an option and to get a cost for same. The most important thing is to know what you are expecting and to understand how it is shipped. Not being prepared could result in a missed delivery window or an inability to receive the product. When this occurs the delivery company will charge a redelivery fee prior to attempting a second delivery. This can be avoided through good communication with the seller.
Read Before Signing
Damage will occur when shipping products both large and small. This damage is usually not the fault of the seller or distribution center but typically happens when in route to the end user. We all hope that this will not happen to us but when it occurs it is best to ensure you handle it properly. Many large products can replace small parts that might not be damaged so rejecting the damaged product might not be the best solution. Do not just sign for damaged products. All freight companies ask you to sign that you received the shipped merchandise but by just signing and not reading what you are signing you might be acknowledging that the product was in perfect order when delivered despite this not being true. Once you sign this you alleviate any responsibility that the freight company might have in damaging the goods. Read what you are signing and make notes on the paperwork if the item is damaged. If you note the damage on the bill of lading, you have left the option for the seller to file a freight claim and this will almost always ensure a replacement part or unit can be provided free of charge and hassle free. In conclusion if you are unfortunate enough to receive a damaged product don’t overreact but make notes on the paperwork and calming contact the seller. This enables collaboration between the seller and you to ensure your issue can be resolved without incident.
As people continue to shop online, shipping will continue to evolve and be more and more important. Proper planning and understanding will ensure your online purchases get delivered easily and without incident. Handling adversity by staying calm and following the proper steps ensures that everyone, seller, shipper, and end user, has a positive experience. So, order online, plan accordingly, and know what you are signing and get the products you have always wanted.
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