Delivery & Inspection

1. Schedule Your Delivery Appointment:

Residential Address: All home or private residence deliveries will require a delivery appointment

 

Commercial Address: Business deliveries do not require a delivery appointment, however, it is still highly recommended to do it to make sure proper personnel do a proper inspection.

 

If you do not schedule a delivery appointment, your freight carrier will arrive without notice with your purchased item and expect that you will be present for inspection. If you are not present, the item cannot be delivered and you will be charged the fees.

 

*The step of scheduling an appointment is usually done directly after your shipping notification is received and your order arrives at the local terminal.

 

       2.  Prepare the Correct Tools:

To make the receiving process as smooth as possible, you need to have certain tools ready when the delivery arrives to be able to open the packaging of your order.

• Hammer or Pry Bar
• Box Cutter
• Work Gloves
• Cell Phone / Camera to Take Pictures
• Assistant (Recommended)

Freight carrier drivers typically have 7 – 15 minutes to make a delivery and they have no obligation to offer assistance.

 

       3.  Inspect the Outer Packaging:

DO NOT sign to accept your toolbox until you follow the steps below!

• Freight carriers have limited time so you will have to quickly inspect the outer packaging to determine if you need to open it and inspect further inside
• Contracts with freight carriers state that you may only inspect your shipment inside if there are signs of damage to the exterior packaging
• In most cases, there may only be minor damage on the outside from general shipping conditions
• Any marks or damage, no matter how minor, is enough to warrant a complete inspection of your item

Use your camera to photograph any sign of damage. Examples of damage subject to inspection include, but are not limited to:

• Torn packaging
• Damaged or too small pallet
• Dents
• Forklift marks or holes
• Box caving in or bent trim
• Any exposed metal
• Damage to base

 

 

If you see any damage at this point

*If possible, write on the bill of lading yourself. If the driver insists on being the one to write on the bill of lading, initial their notes showing that you agree with them.  If you do not agree with the driver’s notes, DO NOT sign the bill of lading.

 

 

• The reason that you still accepting it under conditions of possible damage is because:

Refusing to take the goods in this situation will likely only cost you even more money in the long run, since you could be on the line for further shipping costs. Do not turn the driver away, instead, as counter-intuitive as it might seem, accept the freight under conditions, damages and all. 

 

• Why you should never refuse the shipment and never not sign the bill of lading:

The carrier will likely have to send it back to their warehouse and store it as the claim is processed. Although some carriers may be agreeable to doing this, it could hurt you in the long run since you are on the hook for refusing to accept the freight and as a result you have to pay storage and processing fees. Further, giving the damaged freight back to the carrier does not incentivize them to take care of them. As a result, the already damaged goods may be predisposed to encounter even more damage at the hands of the carrier. In other words, by washing your hands clean of the whole ordeal, you lose control of both the goods and the situation.

 

• If there is no damage then:

Sign to accept your toolbox free and clear without noting possible damage. NMFC Regulations state that when you have signed a contract with the freight company which says that you (or your authorized representative) have inspected your item and you are receiving and accepting it without damage, you are waiving your right to any freight damage claims against the shipping company

 

       4.  Remove Packaging:

You still need to inspect the toolbox inside the packaging. Whether there are metal tabs or straps and whether it is a cardboard or wooden box, it is time to remove the outer packaging and inspect the product inside. Use your work gloves and your hammer / pry bar to dismantle the packaging. Get assistance and lift the packaging straight up and over the top of the toolbox. Remove remaining inner packaging and plastic liner. Be sure to save all of the pieces in case the toolbox needs to be returned. It must be returned in original packaging.

 

       5.  Inspect Your Toolbox:

Perform a final inspection of your product. Inspect your toolbox on each side thoroughly for any dents or scratches. Inspect the powder coat and frame to detect scratches or dents that are less visible.

 

       6.  Sign For Your Shipment:

If there are no damages and you signed to accept the toolbox, you are done. Now go enjoy your new purchase! By signing this you agree that you have received the shipment without damage. This agreement also waives any rights to file a freight claim.

 

If you signed the bill of lading, “Possible Damage, Subject to Inspection” because there were damages on the outside of the packaging but on the inside, there are NO actual damages to your product, you are done. Now go enjoy your new purchase!

 

If you signed the bill of lading, “Possible Damage, Subject to Inspection” because there were damages on the outside of the packaging and the inside also HAS actual damages to your product, you need to file a claim. Here are the next steps:

1. Document and keep copies of everything
2. Keep the freight (and all packaging)
3. Prevent further damage to the freight
4. File the freight claim immediately with the freight provider