Your order left our facility in perfect condition. It should arrive the same way!
STEP 1: Anticipate Delivery
Know what is coming and be prepared to unload the freight. Drivers are only allowed a short “free time” for deliveries and excess time increases delivery costs. Make sure to have the right staff and equipment, and allow enough time to inspect your shipment!
- Forklift Consideration: Measure your forklift forks to ensure you can extend 2/3 of the way into the load. For our 40″ × 80″ or larger tables, we recommend 72″ or 84″ fork extensions.
- Liftgate Consideration: The standard LTL Carrier liftgate is 48″ x 96″. Tables over 40″x80″ cannot typically be safely offloaded with this service. Customers without a forklift that purchase larger tables, may need to pickup and transportation from the carrier terminal.
Please contact us if you have any concerns about receiving, or if we need to make special plans to get things delivered safely!
STEP 2: Inspect the Packaging
Do not sign the Proof of Delivery (POD) without inspecting your order or we (you and Texas Metal Works) will not be able to file a successful claim. Examine the pallet, boxes, table legs, top and walk around the entire delivery. We suggest taking pictures of your delivery from all angles before the driver leaves.
STEP 3: Access Damage, Accept/Reject Shipment & Document
Determine whether to Accept or Reject the delivery
- Cosmetic blemishes or missing items: Accept the order and notate the Consignee’s Delivery Receipt/ Proof of Delivery (POD). Cosmetic issues may include minor non-structural problems that can be buffed out, tacked, or repaired onsite.
- Structural issues (or bad damage): Refuse the order and notate the Consignee’s Delivery Receipt/ Proof of Delivery (POD). The carrier will ultimately return the damaged product to Texas Metal Works.
- Internal Damage: Take time to open the packing to verify. If that isn’t possible, but external damage exists and you need more time to inspect the freight, notate “Damage: Further Inspection Required” on the Consignee’s Delivery Receipt/ Proof of Delivery (POD).
STEP 4: Take Pictures (Lots of them)
“Pictures are worth a thousand words” and they can save you thousands! LTL Carrier Claims are challenging, and documentation with pictures tilt the scales in your favor. Assume that the carriers are evil and will try and dispute everything. Here are some recommendations for taking pictures:
- Take photos of your shipment’s overall condition
- Snap pictures of the pallet itself and anything bolted or strapped to it.
- Capture the damage from all four sides and take every shot from multiple angles.
- Document every detail, both up close and from several steps back.
- Photograph the Bill of Lading and Consignee’s Delivery Receipt/ Proof of Delivery (POD) – with any damage notes
- YOU CAN’T TAKE TOO MANY PHOTOS!
STEP 5: Notate Damage & Sign and Date
Notate damaged or missing items on the Consignee’s Delivery Receipt/ Proof of Delivery (POD). Be specific. For example, if a welding table has been damaged write “Damage to legs and ribs underneath the table. Your written details (and the driver’s signature) are critically important to a successful outcome.
Be sure the driver signs and dates both your copy and the driver’s copy of the Consignee’s Delivery Receipt/ Proof of Delivery (POD). Also, print and sign your name clearly on the documents. Be sure to keep a copy of your Consignee’s Delivery Receipt/ Proof of Delivery (POD). This is a required document for processing a claim for damaged or lost freight. Take pictures of the damage and submit those with your claim for optimum clarity of the descriptions you provide.
STEP 6: Complete our Online Claims Reporting Form
The quickest/best way to report damage or loss is through our Online Claims Reporting Form using your phone – that way you can attach pictures directly from your camera roll. Of course, you can access the form from any browser on your phone or computer. If you experience any problems, send an email to info@texasmetalworks.com or just call us at 281-238-9652.
Step 7: Look for Concealed Damage
Make sure all accepted shipments are unpacked within 2-3 days. If you find damage or loss that was not noted on the POD during delivery, take pictures of the damage (including packaging) and write a description of the damage or shortage. Also, add any information about why it wasn’t noticed at delivery. Send the information in writing to the freight carrier or your freight management service.
Step 8: Store the Damaged Goods Safely
Most claims require an onsite inspector. Keep the damaged parts of the shipment in a clean, dry, secure storage space. If the damaged products are moved or discarded prior to the conclusion of your claim, without written approval from the carrier, the carrier can decline your claim in full.
Step 9: Check Out Past Damage (So You Know What To Look For)
Check out examples from deliveries gone bad. We’ve successfully shipped thousands of tables, but a few unlucky customers have witnessed delivery/transportation failures! Be on the lookout for these types of damage:
