Issues That Complicate Your Shipping
Trucking companiesacross the continental United States and Canada need fast-shipping times and a minimum of stoppage to ensure their success. However, many issues can occur that will complicate the progress of your shipments. Each of these concerns occurs due to different circumstances and are often confused by problems that may seem out of your control or impossible to manage.
However, that lack of control doesn't have to be a problem if you know how to avoid these common problems with skill and finesse. The four issues below are the most common problems that plague your shipping and will not only slow down your shipping speed but could make some shipments even impossible. Thankfully, avoiding them isn't as hard as it may seem at first.
Heavy Online Shipping Periods
Online shopping has changed the way that the shipping world works forever. For most businesses, this is an excellent thing. Sales numbers have increased for many companies, and trucking companies have become more critical than ever. However, heavy online shopping can complicate the success of some shipments and make your success a little harder to obtain.
For example, you may get thousands of orders during Christmas that require you to track each package accurately and ship it to the right destination. Mistakes in this situation aren't uncommon but can be very frustrating for you and the buyer. Even worse, these issues can cause reputation problems that affect the success of your company for years to come and which loses your clients for years.
As a result, you need to understand the periods during which heavy shipping is likely to occur and prepare for them accordingly. For example, you'll likely send out a large number of items during Black Friday and just before Christmas. However, you may also send out items during the summer, when individuals are going on vacation and don't need to save up as much and can be many products.
Stock Problems
Trucking companies typically require a pretty steady stock from their product suppliers. Unfortunately, situations with proper stocking are familiar with many businesses and can cause shortages that make finishing your shipments more difficult. For example, an air conditioner manufacturer may run out of stock during the hot summer months and cause difficulties with your shipping situation.
This problem is worsened if the company doesn't alert the public to shortages and keeps trying to sell products even when they've run out. It may be hard for some people to believe, but some companies try this tactic as a quick way of making money. Then, they send products months later after they have restocked. Frustrating money-making methods like this may impact your reputation if they happen to you, even if you had nothing to do with them.
Try to stay in contact with your product suppliers at all times to minimize the occurrence of this problem. Ask them about what they have in stock, get actual numbers sent to you, and plan your shipment accordingly. Make sure that they order new stock well in advance of running out and pressure them if they have yet to make replacement orders. Your reputation and business are at stake, so make sure that you take the time to address this issue correctly and with authority.
Bad Traffic Situations
Traffic is a problem that will continually plague your shipments and which causes issues with hundreds of trucking companies. You can never be too sure when bad traffic buildups will halt your purchases and make fulfilling your orders more difficult. While this problem will typically only add a few hours or so to a shipment's timing, every delay is a problem and can be an issue if you are shipping delicate items, such as medicine.
Try to plan your shipping to occur at non-peak hours of traffic, such as between 10-11 am and 2-3 pm. The first time is perfect because most people have just gotten to work and haven't yet headed off to lunch. The second time is good because the roads will be very quiet just before school gets let out in your area. You may also want to ship after 7 pm because most people should be out of traffic and home after getting out of work.
Make sure that each of your drivers has a high-quality GPS that is programmed to not only take them to their delivery point but to avoid congested areas due to traffic situations. Most units utilize police reports and track construction projects during the summer months and later. These products will then redirect your truckers around problematic areas to ensure that their shipping goes as smoothly as possible and to ensure you get everything where it needs to be on time.
Improper Safety and Weighting Preparation
Safety and weight are two of the most critical elements of proper shipping with trucking companies. However, too many people don't take the time to fully understand how to properly package their items or end up adding too much weight to each shipment. This mistake can cause a myriad of problems that are hard to manage if you don't take the time to assess them accurately and fully.
For example, you need to package your items properly to minimize the danger of damage to each of your products. For instance, you need a high-quality pallet that can withstand the weight of your collected products. Plastic might be an excellent choice for many companies because it can withstand a higher level of weight than wood. Metal palettes are also available but are more expensive than others.
Likewise, you must find durable packages that can hold your products properly and keep them in great shape during a shipment. For example, you can find many heavy-duty plastic boxes that will withstand damage while items shape during delivery. All of your products should be secured in the back of the truck with ropes or chains to ensure that they don't move around too much.
You Can Get Help for These Issues
As you can see, managing these common problems doesn't have to be a significant challenge if you are prepared for them in advance. However, some of these problems can occur when you least expect them and can make your life difficult. As a result, you may need to reach out to professionals who understand these issues and understand how to minimize their impact on your company.
So if you live in the continental United States or Canada and need help from professional trucking companies who you can trust, please don't hesitate to contact us today to learn more. Our professionals will sit down with you to help you understand the issues that plague your business and will guide you through the steps that you need to ensure your shipments run smoothly from here on out.








