Month: <span>May 2018</span>

In Part 4 of our New Business Series, we discuss the importance of coordinating delivery for your business. You want your business to be reliable, a company that your customers can trust. We help make that happen by working with you and your customer, making the delivery of your Unique Freight as seamless as possible. 

Those who have worked in the shipping industry for any significant amount of time know that it is far more complicated and involved than the average person may think. However, when it comes to customers, their opinion of a logistics provider basically boils down to one question: Do they pick up and deliver on time? No matter what happens throughout the life of the shipment, carriers are evaluated by their on-time delivery rates. One often-overlooked area of this is the coordination of pickups and deliveries.

In some cases, a carrier can receive an order and simply pick up and deliver at any time they see fit. These 24/7, first come first serve facilities are nice and simple to worth with, but the reality is that they are rare. In general, carriers need to either set their appointments or abide by those set by the customer. In the case that the customer sets the appointments, the carrier should perform their due diligence in confirming the dates and times with the warehouses and checking to see if there are any specific pickup or delivery instructions. Just like in any industry, being prepared ahead of time can help alleviate any problems that may occur down the line.

Zip Xpress does everything they can to cover all the bases on every shipment, from coordinating delivery to building trust by making every interaction professional and friendly. Any time there are special requirements such as needing to arrange for a loading or unloading crew, the professionals at Zip make it a priority to represent your business well as a touch point for your customers. This attention to detail and emphasis on caring about the customer’s problems is what sets Zip apart. Anybody can pick up a shipment, but it takes a quality team of experts to prioritize customer service in the way that Zip Xpress does. To coordinate a delivery for your shipment, please get started with Zip Xpress today!

To read the other posts in our New Business Series:

Part 1: I Just Got a Huge Order, Now What Do I Do?

Part 2: Which Shipping Solution is Right for My Business?

Part 3: How to Fill Out the Bill of Lading (BOL)

In Part 3 of our New Business Series, we explain the importance of the Bill of Lading (BOL) which is one of the most important shipping documents. This will help you build an efficient supply chain for your growing business. You can find the other posts in this series at the bottom of the post.

A properly filled Bill of Lading is a necessary document for any shipment, providing all pertinent information about locations, parties involved, and specific shipping directions. Generally, a Bill of Lading seems pretty straightforward. However, a small error or oversight can cause major headaches down the line, so it is important to pay careful attention when filling out a BOL. New customers may be intimidated by filling out a BOL, but it is a relatively simple practice that becomes easier with time and experience. Just like any professional document, the most important part is to pay attention and double check all of the information.

The shipper and consignee addresses should be analyzed with care. One wrong digit in the zip code could cause delays in pickup or delivery, so they should be double checked every time, even if the software fills them in automatically. Moving too fast with auto-fill may accidentally bring up an entirely different location in another state. When left unfixed, this can mean there will be reconsignment delays and fees down the line. Taking a few seconds to scan the information is far easier than re-routing a truck and talking to angry customers or vendors.

A shipper does not need to fill out a PRO number – that’s the carrier’s job – but they should provide a PO number and BOL number that matches their records. Upon pickup of the freight, the carrier will provide a PRO number, and customers need to document this for tracking and billing purposes. Much like with shipper and consignee information, any reference numbers should be double-checked and recorded with care. This makes tracking, searching, and filing more efficient. A missed or incorrect digit means that the file will have to be searched manually, which takes much more time.

The Bill of Lading is very important, but it doesn’t need to be scary. Avoiding errors is as simple as double checking and paying attention to detail. Taking a moment at the beginning of the process will make for smoother sailing throughout the life of the shipment. It is important to remember that this is a binding document and should be treated as such. If you still need assistance with the BOL, feel free to reach out to our expert staff at Zip Xpress today!

To read the other posts in our New Business Series:

Part 1: I Just Got a Huge Order, Now What Do I Do?

Part 2: Which Shipping Solution is Right for My Business?

Part 4: Coordinating Delivery For Your Business

In Part 2 of our New Business series, we go further in depth of the services that Zip Xpress provides to their customers. Our goal is to provide an overview, but if you wish to get the best recommendations for your business please contact Zip Xpress directly (1-800-889-8583) and one of our consultants will be happy to help you! 

Whether you are a small business new to shipping or a large international company, it isn’t always clear which shipping solutions you should use for all of your loads. Zip Xpress is here to help make things clear with a wide range of customer-focused solutions. We want to give you a better understanding of these options and help you in choose the best for your organization.

Expedited LTL Solution

You may be preparing a shipment that you know has to be expedited once it’s finished. On the other hand, you might have an emergency that requires a truck immediately and needs to be sent cross-country as quickly as possible. In either case, you can benefit from using our Expedited LTL Solution. We will do everything in our power to get your shipment picked up and delivered in the timeframe that you require.

Blanket Wrap Solution

If you have fragile, expensive freight that requires special care in handling and transport, choose our Blanket Wrap Solution. Our experts are professionally trained at handling delicate freight. Every one of our blanket wrapped shipments is put on an air-ride logistics trailer, ensuring a smooth ride and extra protection from potential shifting. With door-to-door delivery, you can rest assured knowing that your freight is only being handled at the front and back end, reducing the chance of damage caused by multiple terminal stops.

Headload Solution

If you have an LTL or partial shipment that requires truckload service but don’t have the budget for a dedicated truck, our Headload Solution is the answer for you. You will pay only for the space your load takes up as you will be matched with similar shipments traveling in your direction. Whether your shipment is high-value, time-sensitive, or requires special handling, we can accommodate your needs with our Headload option.

LTL Solution

Standard LTL shipments are low-cost options for shipments that aren’t on a strict timeline. If you have a flexible schedule, you can receive great cost savings with our LTL Solution. Zip Xpress sets itself apart from other LTL carriers by offering faster transit times and reducing the number of terminals and handling that is involved in every shipment. If you need to save money but still want reliable, friendly service, try our LTL Solution.

No matter what your shipping problem is, Zip Xpress has an answer for you. With our professional, friendly, and courteous staff, you can expect to receive the highest quality service for any of your needs. We are available 24/7 and promise to provide you with the right solution in a fast, efficient, and effective way.

To read the other posts in our New Business Series:

Part 1: I Just Got a Huge Order, Now What Do I Do?

Part 3: How to Fill Out the Bill of Lading (BOL)

Part 4: Coordinating Delivery For Your Business

This is Part 1 of a series which we’re dedicating to growing businesses who need help in setting up their supply chain. Other companies expect you to figure this out on your own, but Zip is dedicated to bringing you the best customer service the logistics world can offer.

In the world of transportation, it can be difficult to handle large, unexpected orders. This is especially true if the freight is specialized or fragile. Shippers must determine what the most effective route to take is when it comes to their supply chain. Packaging for specialized orders can be expensive, but if they skimp on costs there, they may end up with damage claims that will cost them more in the long run. Fortunately, Zip Xpress is striving to do everything it can to take some of the pressure off of new businesses who want to streamline their supply chain processes.

The packaging concern is one that must be evaluated by each and every customer. It is beneficial to do a cost analysis to see if the prevented damage is worth the increased cost in packaging. In some cases, a shipper may decide that the small amount of damage they incur will actually be cheaper than putting expensive packaging on every shipment. Zip’s door-to-door delivery model helps to reduce the likelihood of damage thanks to the fact that they don’t handle the freight through break bulks. The reduced amount of handling and transferring of freight allows Zip to keep their customer’s freight intact from beginning to end. Still, it is important for customers to determine the proper dimensions and weight of their shipments in order to give an accurate representation to the carrier. This helps Zip to better plan, prepare, and execute their shipments in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible.

Once Zip has this information, they make it a priority to coordinate the shipping and receiving schedules based on their customer’s needs. A customer can help move this process along by having all the pertinent information available when they send an order Zip’s way. The professionals at Zip will start the planning process and do everything they can to route the freight quickly and correctly.  Whether the shipment is a single pallet or an entire truckload, effective and proactive communication is vital to forming a working and successful relationship between the carrier and the customer. To learn more about what solutions we can provide your business, get started with Zip Xpress today!

To read the other posts in our New Business Series:

Part 2: Which Shipping Solution is Right for My Business?

Part 3: How to Fill Out the Bill of Lading (BOL)

Part 4: Coordinating Delivery For Your Business