By Less than Truckload (LTL) shipping is a quick and economical way to transport goods, and it’s getting more and more common. When it makes more sense not to transport a full truckload, LTL freight shipping can be an effective option to move freight. Unfortunately, a lot of shippers lose money on LTL freight shipping since they aren’t aware of process improvements and money-saving strategies.
It’s common for LTL shippers to experience difficulties and obstacles. Fortunately, shippers may avoid regular blunders, increase productivity, and ultimately reduce costs by being aware of common LTL freight shipping mistakes.
Ignoring freight brokers
Shippers and carriers now communicate with one another through freight brokers, who also help them make financial savings.
Freight brokers work with shippers to ascertain their needs and locate a carrier that will provide them with service at a reasonable cost. Additionally, they are developing relationships and contacts that are beneficial to the carriers’ businesses. You’re undoubtedly losing money if you’re not making use of freight brokers.
Avoid insurance.
In actuality, avoiding insurance can lead to spending more money than you save. Shippers should take a closer look at the policy specifics if they decide to purchase cargo insurance because they think the carrier will automatically insure their shipments at full value.
Regardless of the actual value of the shipment, carriers have liability limits for loss or damage that are decreasing across the industry.
Shippers frequently lose when they try to file a claim for lost or damaged freight with a carrier despite merely having carrier liability insurance. Shippers are usually disappointed by the amount they receive while expecting to receive full reimbursement from their carrier for their lost or damaged goods. Additionally, the carrier is only held financially liable for loss or damage when it can be established that it was caused by negligence on their part. Because of this, it is always preferable to insure each shipment for its entire value.
Failure to evaluate carrier rates
There is a reason why prosperous businesses like Kayak are so successful. Finding the finest freight shipping quotations always helps the consumer save money. The shippers are in the same boat. The ideal situation is to find the best route at the best price, and LTL shippers can really gain from utilizing carrier competition. The MyCarrier platform offers numerous live quotations on a single page, similar to Kayak.
In this approach, shippers may choose the best route and pricing without spending hours going through many carriers’ websites.
Comparing carrier quotations is always the most effective strategy for shippers to save the most money possible. A thorough, user-friendly freight quoting tool must be used.
Not validating delivery requirements is number four.
Many LTL shippers fail to alert their carrier in advance of any extra services (accessorials) they might want when getting a quote. When requesting a liftgate, limited access site delivery, sort & seg, white glove treatment, etc., it is imperative to inform carriers in advance.
Shippers who neglect to include these extra services risk receiving a final bill with a surprise cost. Validating delivery standards is essential to prevent unexpected costs.
When scheduling your shipment, be sure to mention any required services in detail to avoid extra fees and delays.
Making inaccurate weight and size estimates
The most common mistake shippers make is incorrectly calculating shipments’ weights and sizes. In many circumstances, shippers use customer data to calculate costs, but after the product leaves the plant, the carrier must reclassify and rerate the shipment.
On the Bill of Lading for each cargo, precise information on the dimensions, weight, NMFC code, and class must be listed; it also never hurts to double-check the accuracy of the data. As a result, carriers are required to weigh and collect the measurements of every package they handle, even if the customer has already done so. By doing this, errors are considerably reduced, and the time needed to resolve billing concerns is reduced.
Not double-checking address details before mailing
Address confirmation should become habitual. Before scheduling any shipments, we strongly advise verifying both your address and the recipients. This assures there won’t be any misunderstandings, hidden fees, or inconveniences.
Believing delivery schedules to be “guaranteed.”
The delivery date is never a promise. Delivery timetables are subject to change, which is inevitable. Never assume as a shipper that the expected arrival date is unchangeable.
Nevertheless, many carriers will provide a guarantee if you absolutely must have your freight delivered by a specific date or time. The only way to guarantee on-time delivery of your freight is to do this. At least you’ll be safeguarded if it doesn’t.
Ignoring the possibility of ground transportation
Contrary to popular belief, shipment by air does not usually proceed more quickly than shipping by ground. Actually, there are situations when ground delivery is quicker and more effective than air freight. When transporting freight, we advise considering all of your shipping choices.
It will never harm; on rare occasions, it can truly pay off.
Selecting the incorrect service
Making sure that your customers’ shipping expectations are satisfied is smart business. Make every effort to locate the finest deal for your needs as well as those of your customers.
Paying a little bit more is sometimes the wisest course of action if it keeps a loyal consumer coming back for more.
Not requesting a discount
It never hurts to request a discount in the cutthroat world of logistics. This is particularly valid for brand-new clients. Keep in mind that carriers ought to compete for your business.
Before making a purchase, check for base rate discounts and compare pricing. You might lose money if you don’t do it.
Forgetting to track.
When it comes to tracking orders, many shippers enjoy pretending to be a member of the Sopranos. When shippers have faith in their carriers, they frequently dispatch their packages and completely overlook them.
Even if the shipper and carrier get along well, this situation is not ideal. Customers are lost as a result of shipment errors, which unfortunately do occur.
Shippers should constantly check and track the progress of their goods to guarantee that the delivery is made on schedule. Freightquote and other online freight service companies have the know-how and technology to trace cargoes and keep customers updated when something goes wrong.
Conclusion:
You can try your best to prevent them now that you know some of the most common errors LTL shippers make. Mistakes in shipping are unavoidable. Knowing this, savvy shippers prioritize learning from past mistakes and blunders to better equip themselves for the future.
LTL freight shipping is a highly common choice for shippers worldwide. Therefore, while employing LTL freight shipping has many benefits, there are also associated difficulties and complications. The next time you send LTL, keep these blunders in mind.
