Educating yourself and your buyer on the delivery of Freight Shipments is critical to your success.
Provide your Buyer with a list of what to look for and expect during delivery. Attach a copy of your Return Policy or provide a link to your site if emailing them. I strongly suggest that you place another copy of your Terms & Conditions on the shipment itself; referred to as a “Packing Slip”.
If you do not have a Sales Agreement of Terms & Conditions with an acceptance button during checkout get one. When a charge back arises from a damage claim or return it will be your only tool to prove your case.
Acceptance of Delivery
o Inspect all packages
o Count the number of packages
o Do not Sign BOL (delivery slip) until you have inspected and noted any damaged or suspicious damage to the outside of the contents
o Pictures – If they are not sure of the damage
o Keep a copy of the Delivery slip
o Provide a Phone Number for calling in during delivery (We have a dedicated line)
o Email office with Damage report, pictures, description and copy of the delivery slip
The driver will not wait for the Consignee (buyer) to open the packages to inspect the contents. You must check all outside packaging. Upon the Consignee (Buyer) signing the document without noting any possible damage, they are Releasing the Freight Company from any liability.
They delivery slip is their ONLY opportunity to address any concerns.
Many times, I have had Buyers call in with a claim. They stated to see punctures, but did not see anything protruding from them. Therefore, they accepted the package without indicating the possibility of damage. When this occurs, I hear, BUT THE DRIVE saw the damage. Guess what, the driver wants to keep his/her job and will not provide any information to Support a Claim against the company he works for.
The freight company can have as much as 90 days to settle a claim.
When the Consignee fails to indicate damage on the Delivery Slip, they have basically Released the Freight company from any liability.
Now the fun begins………….
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I completely concur with the above comment, the internet is having a doubt growing into one of the most important medium of communication across the globe and its due to sites like this that ideas are spreading so quickly.
Great post
I have the term " FOB" on my sales invoices. The local county is attempting to claim all sales taxes for good?