The BOL (aka Bill of Lading) is that piece of paper you have to print out before a driver will accept an LTL shipment. Much like website terms of service, it’s often glazed over despite how key it is. Ever wonder what’s in the fine print? If you’re just curious or if you want to check the box that you’re not missing anything crucial, this post is for you.

We’ve all been there: You have an important shipment that has to leave the dock today or else something bad is going to happen. Angry customer, late shipment, end of month, mad boss, deadline, etc. The reasons are endless and so are the excuses for a shipment still sitting on the dock the next day. If you want to avoid all of that headache, follow these 9 steps so you can relax while your shipment moves along as planned.

As your business grows, the scale and complexity of your shipping operation MUST grow with it. And you have some decisions to make. 

 If you own or run a business that requires shipping freight to operate, at some point you will run into the ‘grow or die’ problem. You are really good at creating something and selling it, but somethings, like freight, just fall outside your area of expertise. Maybe you just don’t like dealing with freight or it seems like a necessary evil. 

This post will help you clarify what’s happening and what your options are.

Have you ever found yourself falling helplessly down the rabbithole of tractor trailer types? Me too! Lucky for you that happened to me recently and I decided to make good use of it. There are so many different trailers, it would be nice to see them side by side in one place. This post aims to help you figure out what you need and a rough cost so you can avoid delays, excess fees or overpaying for the wrong type of equipment.

The 11 most common trailers used in the truckload industry:

If you’re confused or frustrated by freight bills coming back higher than expected, I hear you. Freight lingo and processes are foreign enough before adding in the complexities of the billing processes for each different carrier. But, this is a solvable problem and this post will explain the issues and how to fix them for good. (Skip the “Solutions” section to find your specific fix)

You’ve booked your shipment, scheduled the carrier and your BOL is created. I wish I could say it’s time to relax while your shipment is delicately handled by men with white gloves and whisked gently from origin to destination. That would be a lie. But, with any luck, the real hard work is over.

Some say, no: Buyers are psychologically allergic to paying for shipping. Any additional costs, even if necessary, will dissuade them from clicking “Buy”. 

Some say, yes: Full disclosure and control gives the consumer options and frees the business from absorbing expensive shipping costs that chip away profit.

 So who’s right? 

Below is an email I received yesterday from my good long-time customer, Mike, who reached out about an oddball shipment. He needed to return six 10’ racks to his manufacturer in OH. He’s a really busy guy (the business’ owner) and on any given day he’s involved in client meetings, site visits, managing his staff of 9 people and overseeing transportation. He doesn’t have an extra hour to chase down quotes, make calls and think about the best way to move racks from his warehouse in MA back to the manufacturer in OH. Here’s how Mike removed a stressful hour from his day while also knocking $759.00 off his LTL freight bill by sending a simple 2 minute email...

A recent phone call between myself and an LTL freight carrier:

Me: Hi, I’m trying to find this shipment that is missing and wondering if your terminal has searched it’s storage trailers for it?

Her: Okay, can you give me the pro# and a good description? Pictures if possible?

Me: No problem [description given & pictures sent]

— 5 minute hold —

Her: Oh! I have this! It’s on our storage trailer, we didn’t know what it was but it’s definitely it!

Me: That’s great! Can you send it out tonight?

You can find your lost freight if you know where to look. Here’s how…

Who would you rather be?

Gary: “Honey, I think we should cancel our vacation...my booth showed up to the show on the last day and I only booked one small sale. Also, I need you to pick me up from the airport at 2 AM, I think we should cut back on Uber for now”.

Or

Barry: “Hey babe, the show went great! I’m going to stay an extra night to grab dinner with a new client, these guys bought everything we had left AND pre-ordered the next container! Let’s celebrate this weekend, I’m thinking Ruth’s Friday night?”

 It’s hard to underestimate the importance of getting your stuff in front of thousands of industry eyeballs. Imagine all the orders popping up on your email the week after the show, your phone ringing off the hook. With all of this potential balancing on just a few days of activity, how much would it suck if your booth never showed up? Keep reading to learn how to avoid being Gary so you can focus on being Barry. 

Having adequate insurance for every freight shipment is a no brainer, yet it’s often not discussed before a shipment takes place. As a shipper or consignee this should be part of the quoting process because not having enough coverage is easily remedied by buying more. Read on to learn everything you need to know about LTL freight shipping insurance. (Skip to the end for the bullet points but don’t you dare skip over my algorithms)

Shipping freight can be an easy and beautiful thing for your business. If your shipment picks up, moves and delivers without any complications you can make people on the other end very happy. On the flip side, things can go sideways quickly if you miss even a single seemingly small detail. By following a few simple steps you can avoid a lot of headaches and keep your (ware)house in order. Whether you ship freight regularly and just looking for a refresher or completely new to shipping because of a job or company you started this post is for you.

What's the best way to ship a pool table you bought on ebay directly to your house? How about a 3D Printer? What about a couch from Wayfair? When it comes right down to it, you have two options: LTL or whiteglove. As more of ecommerce shades direct to consumer the transportation industry has some strides to make to catch up. This also has implications for the myriad of businesses now run from a residence.

There’s a network of super men and women whipping around the country in specially equipped sprinter vans. You probably haven’t even noticed them but there’s one within 45 miles of your location at any given time ready to swoop in at a moment’s notice and shuttle your hot shipment (4 skids or less) anywhere on terra firma. They’re the surface expedite army and they are the swiss army knives of the freight industry.

You’re importing goods for your business. One of the most important decisions you’ll make is what INCO term you use for your shipment. INCO terms are trade terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) that are commonly used in international trade contracts. These 3-letter terms are important because they define the tasks, costs, and risks associated with the transportation and delivery of goods. INCO terms create a common ground for international trading partners to establish who pays for what.

You are moving a shipment using an LTL service. A lot is riding on it: It’s the first impression you get to make on your customer. If it moves out on time your business will look like a well oiled machine. But if it not…you’ll look like the other guy. Even overlooking a seemingly small detail can trigger a chain of negative events with catastrophic results for your business. It can cost you valuable time, money, resources and worst of all, customers.