Important Questions to Ask When Booking Trucks

Just as a smooth delivery relies on a team working together, customer satisfaction relies on open lines of communication. To ensure that you are getting the standard of delivery you expect, it’s important to ask the right questions of your transport provider – and be prepared to provide the key information they need in return. 

To help make sure your delivery doesn’t fall victim to planning-related potholes, we have compiled a list of the most important questions you’ll want to ask your transport provider before you entrust them with your precious cargo.

Getting the right quote from your transport provider

Transport costs aren’t just based on moving your product from A to B. Unless you ask the right questions and provide the right information to your transport provider, there’s a good chance you could be surprised by unexpected costs in that final invoice. A little forward planning will ensure that you know exactly what you’ll be paying for. Be sure to ask your transport provider the following:

• What service levels will apply?
• If a hand load or unload is required, are there additional charges for that?
• In terms of estimated cartage costs, what allowance is permitted for standby or loading time?
• What fuel surcharge applies?

You’ll also need to be prepared with detailed information about your delivery to ensure the most accurate quote. Details such as an accurate description of the load to be delivered, including its dimensions and whether it contains any dangerous goods, will factor into your transport quote. Make sure you make these available to the transport provider. This will help you avoid nasty surprises in your final quote, or delays in getting your job booked in.

Service assurance

The difference between a satisfied customer and an irate one can be as slim as the gap between expectation and reality. It doesn’t pay to assume certain services will be included in your delivery experience. That’s why it’s important to be transparent in your needs and expectations before you lock in your transport provider. The key questions to ask to ensure your delivery experience is a good one for both you and the recipient, are:

• How quickly can you pick up this load for us?
• Following pickup, will you proceed directly to the destination?
• Will you be carrying other customers’ goods in the same vehicle?
• Are your vehicles GPS tracked?
• How can I confirm that my product was delivered in good order to the recipient?

You can see how any one of these questions, if not made clear beforehand, could result in miscommunication and customer dissatisfaction. For the last two questions particularly, it’s helpful to find out whether your transport provider uses a client-friendly logistical system, such as GoDesta. The GoDesta TMS provides customer peace of mind in several ways. It allows for condition photos of the load at pick-up and delivery, as well as signature confirmation from both the dispatcher and recipient. It’s assurances like this that allow you to relax in the knowledge that your delivery is in safe hands. 

Logistics

Transport providers are great at what they do, but they can’t work logistical miracles without prior warning. If you fail to deliver on some key facts, you might find yourself scrambling for a contingency plan. Before agreeing to deliver your product, the transport provider will want to know:

• Is the load ready to go now? If not, when would you like it collected?
• How is the load packaged? Is it loose or in pallets, for example?
• Does the load need to be transported in a covered vehicle such as a van, Pantech, or tautliner truck to protect it from the weather?
• Is a crane or other specialised equipment needed to assist with loading?
• is a forklift available on site to assist with loading?

With these questions answered, you can look forward to a smooth delivery experience no matter your product.

Getting your delivery right is all in the communication process. Ask the right questions, provide the key information, and you’ll avoid the pitfalls of unplanned expenses, miscommunication and logistical complications that cost you time and money. 

For more information on how you can get your deliveries right on time, every time, contact GoDesta today.