You might not know it, but every time you use a shipping service, it can be a little challenging to know what’s going on in the back end. We’re here to help! Please read this post for some simple ways to ensure your cargo gets where it needs to go safely and reliably.
It’s always hard when you need something shipped cross-country. Even if you’re not sending your life savings or anything precious, plenty of things can be broken or damaged in transit. This is especially true if you’re shipping a delicate item, like artwork, or something more fragile.
You can do several things to ensure your International Cargo Express makes it where it needs to go in one piece and that you have some recourse if something gets damaged in transit. Consider the following tips for choosing a trustworthy shipping service.
Ask around for recommendations. Who has shipped large items before? It would be best to start with people you know personally and are trusted by the group. You can then branch out from there to find more reputable companies that aren’t being recommended by friends but will do a great job nonetheless.
Ask your friends, family, and coworkers who chose to ship large items before. What did they like and dislike? Were they happy with their experience with the company? Do they have any bad stories to tell you?
Find a local shipper that is recommended by people you know personally. You may have to shop around a bit, but you must do so. There are many shippers, and some may be doing an excellent job for people out of town or even in other states.
Find out how long the shipper has been in business. It’s usually better to go with someone who has been around for a while. When you find someone who has been in business for a long time, it’s usually a good sign that they are getting things done right. This is especially true of shipping services as they will have had plenty of experience with their customers. Thus, they should have enough experience to ensure your cargo is handled correctly.
Find out what kind of insurance the shipper offers. You may want your cargo insured if it can’t be replaced if it gets damaged during the trip. If insurance isn’t provided, you should ask about buying extra coverage.
Find out who will work on packaging your cargo for transport. Will it be a professional packaging company? Or will you be responsible for getting it packaged up before the shipper comes to get it?
Find out what sort of cargo insurance is being offered by the shipping service. Cargo insurance is essential, especially if you are sending something valuable. Ask how much coverage they provide and how much it will cost to insure your cargo.
Find out your options if damage or loss occurs while the cargo is in transit. Some shippers may have a policy covering this, but others may have yet to have one.
Ask how long you’ll have to wait for your cargo to arrive. Some shippers can deliver within a day, but others can take up to a week. This is important because you may be waiting for the time it takes for your cargo to arrive before you know if it got damaged in transit or not.
Check out their customer service policies. Sometimes business owners will try to make one thing seem like something else, so research this service.
