Are you trying to decide if working with a freight carrier is worth it? Let's take a look at some different things that may or may not occur when shipping bulk items.
For bulk shipments packed on pallets, your order will deliver on a freight truck. Now, if you are not familiar with working with a freight carrier, it will take some getting used to the process of shipping. Below we have listed a few things we feel you should know.
Bulk Supplier Coordinating Your Shipping
Having your bulk supplier coordinate the shipping is usually the cheapest option you will see. Your supplier ships many loads every day and gets price breaks from freight carriers that they can pass on to their customers.
The cost will be listed on your invoice as a separate line item at the bottom.
You may be able to contract to include the delivery within the cost of your oil. In this case, you won’t see a shipping cost separately, but the per item cost will likely be higher to include freight within it.
Once your order has left your supplier’s facility, you should receive a tracking number to allow you to follow your shipment during its delivery time frame.
Handling Your Own Shipping?
Pick-ups are typically available at any supplier's facility, which means that you can choose to work with your preferred freight carrier. If you opt to do this, you will need to coordinate the pick-up with your freight company, share the bill of lading with your supplier, and pay the shipping company directly.
Perhaps you live near your supplier and have a flatbed truck or trailer. You can see if your supplier allows for pick-ups in this situation. If you go this route, there are some things you need to have: you must have a vehicle that will enable your supplier to load it with a forklift. Ask your supplier if this is something that they allow, and then schedule a pick-up appointment with their shipping department.
Please keep in mind that delivery is typically going to be cheaper if a freight truck delivers to a standard warehouse location. Any extras such as a lift gate, delivery appointment, ranch/rural delivery, or residential delivery will come with an extra cost.
