Fast. Reliable. Affordable.
Those are the key ingredients in the recipe for “great shipping.” But sometimes things don’t go as planned. Perhaps you didn’t have time to research all your shipping options. Perhaps you overlooked certain aspects of the recipe that seemed insignificant at the time, but turned out to be crucial for the overall success.
Here are 5 telltale signs you’re using the wrong shipping company.
Rate shock: When you picked your carrier, you may have made the selection based on the base rate alone. It did, after all, seem to meet your goal of keeping costs down. But as you’ve probably discovered by now, shipping rates – and in particular less-than-truckload (LTL) freight rates – can be tricky to decipher. If the final net price came as a shock, it makes sense to start the search for the right shipping company anew. Remember that the total price is made up of a long list of factors such as FAK provisions (freight-all-kinds), weight, liability insurance, distance, and accessorial fees.
Service disappointment: If you had hoped to build a professional relationship with your carrier but are treated to a different face at every pickup, you may feel disappointed. Or you may have grown impatient after a few less than satisfactory interactions with your shipping company’s support team. In the rush to select a shipping company, it’s easy to forget the importance of customer service. The good news is that it’s never too late to make a change.
Delivery issues: Are your customers getting frustrated with your carrier? Then it’s time to run for the hills. When your shipping company falters so does your reputation. However, the issues may not mean you’re dealing with a “bad” shipping company. The issues could simply stem from the fact you picked the wrong carrier for your needs. If you ship coast-to-coast while your carrier maintains a regional organizational structure, you’re bound to run into trouble.
Drop-off hassles: Although the idea of transporting your goods to the carrier’s drop-off location seemed doable at first, it can quickly get old, especially if you’re dealing with larger volumes. Add limited hours of operation and an inconvenient drop-off location, and you’re better off looking into other options that suit your schedule.
Shipping mismatch: Is your shipping volume too much for LTL, too little for full truckload (FTL) shipping, or just right for a courier service? Picking the right shipping company is a science in itself and it may not be until after the fact that you realize you made the wrong choice. Perhaps it hit you when you received the invoice from your FTL provider that LTL shipping would have been a considerably more affordable. This is when thorough research pays off.
If you have better things to do than negotiate rates and research shipping companies, eShipper can help. eShipper lets you process all of your shipments right from your computer, anywhere, anytime. In addition to our great shipping rates, we happily help you every step of the way, whether you need to ship across the country or around the globe.
To learn more about our variety of logistics services and transportation methods, contact us today for more information.
