Re: [RE-wrenches] Hidden Freight Damage

[Allan Sindelar]

Luke, When you first posted I forwarded your request to our warehouse manager, who's quite experienced. He didn't receive any of the responses from other Wrenches, but sent this to me this morning: Inspect it immediately for obvious signs of damage. This means walking around the whole delivery or moving the boxes around to view all sides for potential damages..... Compare the number of shipping units received to the number listed on the delivery receipt. Sign the delivery receipt. I always sign the papers or the scanner with the number of handling units (or boxes if its parcel) then my signature. While the driver is there, compare the pieces you are receiving to the delivery receipt. If the condition and quantity of your shipment is acceptable, the driver will ask you to sign the delivery receipt. The driver will give you a copy and take the original signed copy with him/her (as proof of delivery). A signed delivery receipt with no exceptions is called a "clear delivery." Clear deliveries mean there were no shortages or visible damage at the time of delivery. A shipment invoice will be sent to the paying party soon after pickup or delivery, depending on whether the shipment is prepaid or collect. If a shipment is short or damaged, you can still accept the delivery with notes on the shipper papers.  If the shipment is too damaged and will require extra resources in time and reshipment - refuse the whole shipment.   It's the duty of the shipper and the consignee to mitigate the loss. After you accept the shipment, take steps to protect it from further loss and promptly file a claim for the actual shortages or damages involved. Allan Sindelar al...@positiveenergysolar.com NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician Founder, Positive Energy, Inc. A Certified B CorporationTM 3209 Richards Lane Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 505 424-1112 office 780-2738 cell www.positiveenergysolar.com   On 11/5/2013 8:58 PM, Luke Christy wrote: Wrenches, Thanks to everyone who responded to my Freight Damage post. I wouldn't wish freight nightmares on anyone, but it is somewhat comforting to hear that most folks have run into this problem over the years. The major takeaway seems to be that there is no substitute for a thorough inspection of every delivery, even though that's often logistically difficult. Also pushing back on the denied claim to see if the carrier will come around to some kind of settlement. Given that the carrier in question is Con-way and they are generally surly even at the local office, I don't have a lot of hope for that, but it seems worth a try. I'm thinking in the future it may be worth it to pay extra for lift gate service with a call-ahead so that I can receive the deliveries personally at my shop. It has been convenient to have my friends with a loading dock take delivery of my shipments, but there is only so much I can ask them to do in terms of looking for damage. In the past I have tried the tactic of having the person signing for the freight put something like "Subject to Inspection for Damage" on the BOL, but it's hard for that to work well when you never know who will actually sign for the item. Of course, with this latest broken shipment, the disclaimer didn't get on the BOL. Thanks again. May all your pallets arrive intact. -Luke Luke Christy NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional™: Certification #031409-25 NABCEP Certified Solar Heating Installer™: Certification #ST032611-03 CoSEIA Certified PV Installer Solar Gain Services, LLC PO Box 531 Monte Vista, CO. 81144 sgsrenewab...@gmail.com 719.588.3044 www.sgsrenewables.com _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org

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