If you're a small business owner, shipping your products is one of the most important parts of your job. That's why it's crucial to choose the best freight companies Melbourne that will handle all aspects of shipping in an efficient and professional manner. Unfortunately, some companies don't take their jobs as seriously as they should—and the result can be less-than-ideal conditions for your shipments. In this blog post, we'll discuss five common mistakes made by small business owners using freight companies and how you can avoid them so that your product arrives safely at its destination.
Top 5 Common Pitfalls of Freight Companies and How to Avoid Them
- Lack of appropriate shipping equipment
Avoiding this pitfall is simple. Before you ship, check your shipment equipment to make sure it's in good working order and appropriate for the type of cargo you will be transporting. For example, if you need to transport a large load that requires the use of a forklift truck or other heavy machinery, make sure the equipment is available at the facility where you are making your shipment. It's also helpful if an employee at the receiving location can help identify what type of equipment is needed and how much space it takes up so that they can prepare properly for its arrival.
If you're shipping something fragile or valuable (like an expensive piece of art), check with your company's insurance policy on whether they will cover any damage caused by improper packaging or shipping equipment used by another company (and ask them about how much coverage there will be).
- Improper packaging
You should always ensure that your cargo is properly packaged. Improper packaging can lead to damage and can be a costly mistake, especially if you need to make several shipments of the same cargo.
Good packaging includes:
Using sturdy materials that are not easily broken or damaged during transit.
Properly securing any loose items or items which could shift during transport.
Ensuring there are no exposed sharp edges that could damage other cargo or equipment inside the truck and also making sure there are no small holes that could allow water/snow/other liquid into your package
- Inaccurate freight class
One of the most common mistakes that freight companies Melbourne make is failing to properly classify the freight they are shipping. When you ship goods with a freight company, one of their main responsibilities is determining which class your shipment falls into. The type of goods being shipped directly impacts how much paperwork is required for customs clearance and how much insurance will be needed for transit. This determination also impacts shipping rates, so it's important that your shipper gets this right from the get-go!
- Relying on a single carrier for all shipments
If you're like most companies, you probably rely on a single carrier to handle all of your shipments. While this can be convenient, it also puts you at risk of having a problem with one carrier, leading to problems with the entire chain—and that can have a significant impact on your bottom line.
- Abdicating responsibility
Freight companies can be very helpful, but they can also be a huge source of stress. Don't let your freight company abdicate their responsibility to you by assuming the weight of any problems with your shipment. Make sure that your contract covers all aspects of the shipment and that you understand it completely before agreeing to anything. If something does go wrong, make sure you know exactly how much compensation you're entitled to receive for it.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different ways that freight companies can run into problems. However, by keeping these pitfalls in mind, you'll be able to avoid them and keep your business running smoothly.
