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 transport 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 Your Delivery (and the Packing Slip) Prior To Signing
DO NOT SIGN UNTIL YOU’VE INSPECTED EVERYTHING!
- Take Pictures of Everything: Don’t wait for damage, Take pictures of all sides of your shipment as it arrives. See Step 4 for more information.
- Inspect the Delivery Receipt: Review the packing slip to make sure the driver or carrier didn’t add costs (called accessorials) like liftgate, limited access, or layover charges. If they “slip in” extra charges and you sign, we all get billed for those!!!
- Inspect the Blue Shrink Wrap: Walk around the table, taking pictures of any rips, tears, or intentions on the blue shrink wrap.
- Inspect “Under” the Blue Shrink Wrap: Remove the blue shrink wrap and ensure no hidden damages.
- Inspect The Pallet & Table Legs: We often see evidence of forklift collisions in broken or damaged pallets and on broken welds on our table legs. Please inspect all legs to make sure they are intact, straight/true and free of broken welds!
- Inspect Accessories & Boxes: All your tools, extensions, and other components will be secured below your table. Ensure all boxes are present, unopened, and free from distress!
Please don’t 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: Assess 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! The burden of proving that the damage occurred while the goods were in the carrier’s possession often lies with YOU, particularly for concealed damage. 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, Then Sign and Date the Delivery Receipt”
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 critical 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: 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 7: Complete our Online Claims Reporting Form
Ultimately, YOU will need to file a claim with the carrier ASAP. Texas Metal Works can help, but we must both be involved. 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 support@texasmetalworks.com or just call us at 281-238-9652.
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:





