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704 Brooksmill Circle
Hermitage TN 37076
 
615.469.1707
Fax: 1.866.559.8691
contact@FreightZoom.com
 
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FAQ

Please select one of the questions below..

What is the basic procedure for shipping?
Carriers utilize a standard procedure that involves the truck driver backing up to a loading dock, the shipper (consignor) loading the cargo, the driver transporting the cargo to the receivers (consignee) loading dock to be unloaded by the consignee. Any services required outside of this standard procedure may require additional rates called accessorials.

What are the potential additional accessorial fees?
To make certain that you receive the rate that was quoted to you by FreightZoom you must provide the truck driver with a copy of FreightZoom’s BOL (Bill of Lading). We have contracts in place with national and regional carriers and to ensure that you receive the negotiated rates and discounts, the carrier must know to bill FreightZoom.

Inside Delivery
If the driver is required to go inside (beyond the front door or loading dock) to pickup or deliver a load instead of remaining on the dock or in his truck, additional fees may be applied. This is common in New York City where space is limited.

Liftgate Service
When the shipper or receiver does not have a loading dock, manual loading or unloading is necessary. For this, a lift gate is needed. A liftgate is a motorized platform affixed to the back of some types of trucks that raises and lowers cargo between the ground and the truck.

Redelivery
Any failed delivery or pickup attempt will be assessed a fee by the carrier. This charge is based on weight. If your shipment is not ready when the driver arrives, it will be set up for pick up the next business day. If FreightZoom is charged for the duplicated pick up or delivery, these costs will be passed along to you.

Additional accessorials may include, but are not limited to: arrival notification, insurance, hazardous materials, fuel surcharge.

Do additional fees apply for residential service?
Yes. The carrier defines a business as a location that opens and closes to the general public at set times each day. You may still be considered a residence if you are located in a light business zone and also open and close at set times. Home based businesses ARE considered residential. Schools, colleges, and churches located in residential zones may also incur residential fees.

How do I know what class my item is and how does this affect my shipment?
Class refers to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) number that specifically identifies each type of product that can be shipped by a carrier. This is important to be sure that you receive accurate pricing for what you are shipping. Should the carrier suspect that the weight or class of your cargo is incorrect, they will re-weigh and correctly re-class your load which will result in a Reweigh and Inspection fee.

If you do not know what class your freight is, please contact customer service at 615.469.1707 or send us an email.

Can I estimate the weight of my shipment?
Yes you can, but if an inaccurate weight or class is used and a shipment is reweighed or re-classed by the carrier, those costs may be passed on to you. Reweighing may also delay delivery. Include all pallets with the weight. Pallets weigh between 40-50lbs depending on the pallets. Standard pallet sizes are 40”x48” or 48”x48”.

Do I have to call the carrier after giving my shipment info to FreightZoom?
No. Calling the terminal or the carrier will duplicate the order. When you schedule with FreightZoom, we contact the carrier and complete the transaction.

Am I able to schedule a shipment and have it picked up the same day?
Typically carriers pick up in the morning and deliver in the afternoon. Due to the load capacity of our carrier’s, same day service can not be guaranteed. A 4 hour window prior to your dock closure is necessary. If you have same day pick up requirements, please contact FreightZoom to discuss these arrangements.

Are transport times guaranteed?
Please be aware that transport times do not include the day of pick up. Transport times are dependable, but not guaranteed.

What is expected of me when the truck driver arrives to pick up my cargo?
Be sure that your shipment is ready and packaged so that the items are protected and secured. Boxed/crated and palletized shipments are optimal; secure the boxes/crates or items to the pallet with binding, strapping or shrink/stretch wrap. Labels must be placed on every piece or package and in the event that the pieces get separated it is best to include on the label the total pieces that comprise your shipment (ex: Box 1 of 3). It is a must that FreightZoom’s bill of lading be given to the driver. Remember, the driver WILL NOT load or unload your items on to the truck.

What happens if my shipment isn’t ready when the carrier arrives?
More than likely the driver will not wait. The driver will be dispatched for the following day, which delays your service. You will be assessed a fee if the carrier charges FreightZoom for the dedicated pickup. Truck companies make their deliveries in the morning and pickups in the afternoon.

Do fees apply for residential service?
The carrier defines a business as a location that opens and closes to the general public at set times each day. You may be considered a residence if you are located in a residential zone, even if you open and close at set times. Schools, colleges, and churches located in residential zones may also incur residential fees.

If the driver is required to go inside (beyond the front door or loading dock) to pickup or deliver a load instead of remaining on the dock or in his truck, additional fees may be applied. This is common in New York City.

When the shipping or receiving address does not have a loading dock, manual loading or unloading is necessary. A liftgate is a platform at the back of the truck that can raise and lower a shipment from the ground to the truck. Additional fees apply for this service.

What should I do with the Bill of Lading(BOL)?
All parties involved should have a copy of the Bill of Lading (buyer, seller and carrier). The seller will receive 2 copies of the BOL. One BOL MUST be given to the truck driver when he makes the pickup and the seller keeps the other for his records. The seller will sign the carrier’s copy and the carrier will sign the seller’s copy to verify shipment was picked up. The carrier will attach a PRO sticker to the sellers copy. This is simply a tracking number assigned by the carrier to reference your shipment.

What if I want to use my own BOL?
This is discouraged. Opting to use your own BOL will result in a $35.00 accessorial charge.

How should I package my shipments?
Please package, crate or stack on pallets securely to prevent damage. Secure cartons to the pallet with banding, shrink-wrap, stretch-wrap or breakaway adhesive. Improper packaging may void the carrier's liability for damage. Stack cartons squarely on the skid with no overhang. Be sure the top surface is flat. Labels must be placed on every piece or package. See Packaging Tips

How do I file a claim for damaged cargo?
Claims are handled directly between the shipper, consignee and the carrier. FreightZoom is not involved in the actual claims process and has no influence in the carrier's claim decision. Claims with the carrier must be filed within 90 days of delivery. The claimant should only file for loss or damage on the product which was shipped. ALWAYS be as concise as possible in noting specific damage on the delivery receipt. Our representatives can coach you on filing a claim and provide the proper forms.

What happens if I receive a bill directly from a carrier?
Simply call our customer service department at 615.469.1707 and fax a copy of the bill you received. Our customer service staff will be happy to take care of it and have the charges properly credited. This situation usually occurs when FreightZoom’s BOL is not used. To prevent future problems, please make sure that the shipper gives the driver a copy of the automated FreightZoom’s BOL for every shipment. If you decide to use your own BOL, additional charges will apply.

What is dimensional weight?
Dimensional weight is a standard formula used throughout the freight industry that considers a package's density when determining charges. Transportation charges are based on the gross weight of the shipment or the dimensional weight of the shipment; whichever is greater. Simply put, dimensional weight is when the weight of a package is inappropriately less than the actual size of the package. For example, a box filled with feathers. Carriers charge by the dimensional weight when the actual weight of a package is less than the calculated dimensional weight.

Accessorial Any service that is not considered ‘standard’ will incur additional fees. Accessorials may include, but are not limited to: arrival notification, inside delivery, insurance, liftgate service, COD, hazardous materials, fuel surcharge.

Arrival Notification Carrier notifies and schedules a delivery date and time with the receiver,

Bill of Lading (BOL)
Paperwork that provides the driver, carrier, shipper and receiver with complete details of the shipment and correct billing information.

Carrier
Another name for the truck/trucking company who transports cargo.

Class
Refers to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) number that specifically identifies the approximate size, value and difficulty of transporting a particular type of product that can be shipped by a carrier. Please contact customer service at during business hours if you are unsure or are unable to determine your class.

Consignee
The person/company receiving the shipment.

Consignor
The person/company shipping the shipment.

LTL
Is an acronym for Less-Than-Load, meaning cargo that is not of the quantity to require an entire truckload (TL) by itself. Typically, an LTL shipment ranges from 100 lbs to 20,000 lbs. If you require a TL, please contact customer service.

NMFC Number
See “class” above.

PRO Number
You will see a space for the truck driver to affix the ‘PRO sticker’ on your bill of lading. This is simply a tracking number assigned by the carrier to reference your shipment.

Reweigh/Reclass Fee
If the carrier suspects that the weight or class of your shipment is inaccurate, a fee will be charged to re-weigh or correctly re-class your cargo.

 

 
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