Nowadays people prefer to order services and purchase goods online. The first thing they do when they need some items is googling. Online shopping is very convenient and allows you o get a wider range of products. You can hardly find a business that doesn’t go online these days. Truck logistics is not an exception.
Yet, if you need to transport cargo from point A to point B, it’s not a good idea to hire the first freight forwarder you find on the Internet. If you do this, you risk becoming a victim of fraudsters. You receive neither services nor your money back. The following tips help you to avoid scams and choose a really cool logistics broker that meets all needs and demands of your business.
- Know what you are looking for.
One of the greatest mistakes newbies make is to start looking for a transportation company without knowing the exact needs of the business. Some of the firms have to deal only with truck logistics while for others, intermodal transportation is a better solution. There are several questions you should answer before you start searching for a forwarder. They are “What type of cargo should be delivered?”, “What is the destination?”, “What are the deadlines?”, “Are there any special requirements for cargo handling?”
- Monitor the market.
The next step is to get acquainted with available offers. The number of logistics brokers is the mounting day after. You have to figure out what the difference between a carrier and freight broker is, what services you may order, and what the standard rates are. It helps you to avoid websites that are obviously fraud. For instance, extremely low prices are the first red flag you have to consider. The same is true about “delivery within a few hours” or “no paperwork” ads.
- Research the websites of the companies.
After you’ve selected the most appropriate variants, you have to research the websites of the firms. They are to provide full and comprehensive information about the provided services. If you fail to find details about coverage area or deadlines, it’s the reason to look for other alternatives.
The next point to consider is the uniqueness of the site. The thing is the problem of Internet fishing is rather relevant these days. It’s better to provide no personal info via the Net to avoid cheating.
- Contact the customer support managers.
The next step is to contact the customer support service. There are several ways to do this – via phone, email, or instant messengers. If a freight forwarder doesn’t provide such an option, it’s not a good sign.
- Get acquainted with reviews.
On the greater part of sites, you may find the section “Testimonials” or “Reviews”. Yet, it’s better to visit thematic chats or blogs and read reviews by former customers.
You should be ready to spend some time looking for an ideal logistics partner for your business. The number of available companies is really huge. The price should not be the only criterion you pay attention to.
So, cooperation with a competent and credible logistics firm is a must for the smooth and trouble-free functioning of your business. Moreover, not all top-notch freight forwarders cost all the money in the world.