Smaller businesses often have to make use of less than truckload (LTL) shipping to meet their delivery needs. As they often do not get orders that would fill a trailer, this arrangement allows them to send out what is immediately ordered, ensuring quick delivery to the customer. But to ensure effective service, businesses need to carefully select the right freight carrier. Here are some tips on how to make this selection, ensuring your shipments are being handled by trustworthy hands.
Services Offered
Only consider a carrier that understands and can effectively offer LTL shipping. This means they should attract business from various small businesses that will see their trailers fill up fast so your own shipment will not suffer unnecessary delays. Also, ensure they cater to the destinations you serve. If you ship internationally, they should be able to accommodate this kind of delivery. Whatever other services you need, ensure that the freight carriers you are considering can meet the demands.
Reputation
Look into the reputation of the freight carriers you are considering. You need a provider that is more than just good at service delivery. They should offer good customer support and be consistent in their standard of service. This is the best way to gauge the reliability of a provider. By considering the reviews and opinions of other clients that have been served by them. The more consistently positive their opinions, the better you can trust they will be reliable.
Safety Record
A freight carrier with a persistent record of accidents and other safety incidents can be problematic to deal with. Not only do you risk delayed deliveries, but also the potential loss of your shipment. This can badly affect the reputation of your business and its image of dependability. It can eventually lead to losing clients if the occurrences are repeated. Look into what safety procedures the company adheres to and if they match industry standards. Pay attention to their safety rating and opt for providers with the strongest record.
Asset or Non-Asset Based Carriers
Asset-based carriers make use of their own transport vehicles and equipment. Non-asset-based carriers will outsource to other providers to deliver their services. It is worth looking into which one applies to your provider. Often, asset-based carriers are keener about maintaining and upgrading their equipment and ensuring their drivers are well-trained. Non-asset-based carriers are riskier to deal with as the provider is not in as much control. There is a higher likelihood of errors that may prove costly to your business.