Care and attention are required when shipping any item from A to B. However, the task takes on an entirely different dimension when the item involved is bulky and heavy. The challenge is so daunting that many, from individuals to business owners, will try and avoid it as much as possible.
However, you don’t have to be scared about the prospect of shipping this type of item – especially if you sufficiently prepare for this assignment.
That’s where the following article will help. Below are six tips to successfully ship large and heavy items.
Tip #1: Find a shipping company
Before anything else, it makes sense to find a shipping company that can handle your bulky item. You might feel this search will be a long and frustrating one.
After all, if you type ‘shipping companies near me’ into Google, it will throw an endless list of options in your direction. You’ll then have to analyze their services, reviews, prices, and other elements. Even when you have put together a shortlist, it’s necessary to get in contact to receive a quote.
Instead of going this unwelcoming route, you can flip the situation completely around. That’s right – instead of reaching out to shipping companies, you can make them come to you with quotes! This is done through the Shiply platform.
You simply make a post about your shipping job, and couriers will bid to take it on. This not only saves you time and effort but also money – services can be acquired for 75% cheaper than usual rates.
This type of discount is often achieved through Less-Than-Load (LTL) freight shipping, which is when a shipping company has a partially full vehicle. Obviously, the objective for them is to have a full vehicle to maximize each journey, meaning they are more willing to take on cheaper jobs to fill their freighter.
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Tip #2: Gain an idea about the cost of shipping
You now know how to get cheaper quotes to ship your bulky item. However, it’s still important you gain an idea about the price of delivery – and why it costs as much as it does. When putting together a quote, couriers will factor in the following elements:
- Distance
- Item size
- Pickup and delivery locations
- The speed required for the delivery to be completed
- The time of year
While you won’t be able to alter the first three points, the latter two are areas where you can reduce the cost of shipping. For instance, if you are relaxed with timings and don’t require express delivery, this makes it more economical for delivery companies – and they’ll pass the savings onto you.
Tip #3: Take photos
Before you let your chosen shipping company take your item, there are a few steps to take. One of those is to take photos. Even if you select a provider with glowing feedback, this doesn’t mean they are infallible – and damage can happen during transit.
If you are faced with this reality, but the shipping company disputes their part in the damage occurring, you need evidence. By taking a few high-quality images that cover every side of your item, you have proof of its condition prior to it going out for delivery.
Tip #4: Protect with insurance
Even with the above point in mind, item damage is a rare situation – particularly when working with a reputable shipping company. However, for that extra peace of mind, it makes sense to insure your item.
With this protection in place, where you’re covered for both damages and loss, you are in a stronger position to receive a refund if anything were to go wrong during transit.
Tip #5: Pack with care
Of course, if you decide to pack the item on your own, there’s also some responsibility on your hands to do this correctly. It is essential you pack the item with care. That means wrapping it fully with protective packaging, the type that will stop the damage from happening during transit.
There is the possibility the shipping company you select will also complete this task on your behalf. Make sure to contact them beforehand to see if they’ll assist with the packing.
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Tip #6: Check the condition
The delivery is done. Your heavy, bulky item has made the long journey and arrived at the destination you selected. With that said, there’s still one more step to do: check the current condition of the item.
Remember those photos you took before the item was packed, loaded, and dropped off at the destination? Well, it’s time to whip those snaps out and compare them with the item as you currently see it.
Does everything appear fine? Has it suffered from any visible damage? Ensure you carefully observe this because you don’t want to wait around if you need to raise any concerns.
