Whether you need to move your personal items across the country, or your business needs to ship products to a client in the next state, finding a reliable freight transport company that you trust is an important decision. There are a few things you should keep in mind as you’re evaluating companies to carry your items to their new destination for you.
Verify that the company you are considering is legitimate. Any legitimate transportation company will have a DOT number and MC number readily available to prove they can legally transport goods across the country. Freight brokers do not have DOT numbers, but they should have MC numbers as well. Ask to see these numbers and check them online yourself. An honest company will have no problem providing them to you.
Check to see if the carrier has cargo insurance, and look carefully at the policy. Examine closely what is covered, under what circumstances, for how much, and how restitution would be made if necessary. The hope is that you’d never need to use insurance. However, goods large enough to require freight shipping company may be worth a lot of money, and it’s a good idea to be careful about protecting them.
Compare companies based on how quickly they can deliver your freight, how many transfers would be involved en route, and their on-time delivery percentage. No matter how great a freight company is, if they don’t service the area you need, they’re not right for you. It is important to find a carrier that is a good fit for your needs.
Ensure the company communicates well. You want to be able to track down what happened to your great-aunt’s lost rocking chair if you need to, or ask questions about your truckload. Nothing is more frustrating that being stuck on hold or lost in a never ending ocean of voice mail. A good company will talk to you.
Ask for references. Be suspicious of any freight company that can’t or won’t provide them. If you are provided with a list of names, make the effort to actually contact those people and ask about their experience.
Trust your gut. If something seems off about a company, there’s no harm in walking away. Little lies and exaggerations that make you uncomfortable, such as underquoting prices or delivery times, can be a sign of much larger issues later on. In finding a freight shipping company, it’s important to work with someone you trust.
Talk to a few companies and, of course, contact us here at American Freightways. We’re glad to talk to you about getting your items on their way.