How to get a quote on your LTL freight shipment

02/24/2015 — Matt Nagel

After your freight has been properly packaged and assembled, it's time to gather information about your shipment to ensure you are receiving an accurate freight rate and transit time. Correctly identifying your freight as less-than-truckload (LTL), tradeshow, or truckload is the first step to knowing what information you need to have ready before getting the quote. In this post we'll summarize the information needed for an LTL freight shipment, which refers to a shipment that does not completely fill a truck, is typically palletized, and weighs over 150 lbs. In order to obtain an accurate LTL freight quote and transit time, be sure to:

• Establish when your shipment needs to be picked up and delivered. – This is basic information that needs to be determined before trying to obtain a quote. If your shipment has a delivery date that’s etched in stone, guaranteed options are available at a higher price. Either way, the more information you can provide about your shipment’s timeline up front, the more options you’ll have available to make an educated decision.
• Know your ZIP Codes! – Origin and destination ZIP Codes are keys to an accurate LTL rate quote. Just as important are the origin and destination types or descriptions - whether your shipment is going to a business, a residential area, or a tradeshow will impact the overall cost and transit time. Getting the ZIP Codes and descriptions for the origin and destination right on the first pass will ensure a smooth transit.
• Determine if any accessorials are needed. – Accessorials are any additional services required outside of the standard shipping procedure. Examples include lift gates, Collect on Delivery (COD), and inside pickup or delivery. Accessorials normally require additional fees from the carrier to insure your shipment has everything it needs to get on or off of the truck and to its destination safely.
• Decide on the amount of insurance needed for your shipment. – Knowing the value of the shipment you are transporting and purchasing the proper amount of insurance is crucial in the case that something unexpected happens to your shipment while in transit. Having this information when obtaining the quote is crucial to an accurate price.
• Calculate the exact weight of your shipment. – Providing an accurate weight is very important when obtaining a quote. Remember to include the pallet’s weight and have your scales tested and calibrated often to be as precise as possible.
• Know your freight classes! – LTL Freight Class refers to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) and determines the carrier's shipping charges for your LTL freight. Your freight class identifies the size, value and difficulty of transporting your LTL freight and is a must-have for quoting. 

Also, if you’re shipment is tipping the scales a little more than you expected and you decide to ship truckload/volume (over 5,000 lbs) check out our post on how to get a quote for your truckload shipment.

We're Ready for CAMEX 2015!

02/18/2015 — Leah Palnik

Every year the staff at PartnerShip spends months gearing up for CAMEX, one of our most important trade shows. CAMEX is the collegiate retailing industry's largest trade show and educational event, attracting more than 2,100 qualified buyers from more than 1,060 campus stores as well as 750+ exhibiting companies. The show is about to kick off in Atlanta and we couldn’t be more excited.

As the endorsed shipping partner of the National Association of College Stores (NACS), we always play a large part in supporting this event every year. Through the NACS Shipping Program, PartnerShip helps college stores and vendors save on their shipping costs with FedEx, UPS Freight, YRC Freight and other reputable carriers. CAMEX is a great place to meet with members to learn more about their business and find ways to help them with their specific shipping needs.

We’ve already been busy helping CAMEX exhibitors with their shipments to the show and we’ll be there to help when they ship their materials back as well. We also ran a special promotion for attendees. By shipping incrementally more shipments compared to last year during their fall returns season, they were able to earn up to two free registrations. 27 stores won at least one registration and it was great to see so much participation!

As in years past, we will also be serving complimentary coffee and cookies. It’s our way of treating our friends in the industry and saying thank you to our customers. If you’ll be at CAMEX, make sure to stop by booth #3740 when you need a quick pick-me-up!

Take Advantage of Simple, Flat Rate Shipping with FedEx One Rate®

02/11/2015 — Leah Palnik

Association members participating in a shipping program managed by PartnerShip® can now take advantage of FedEx One Rate. This pricing option has all of the convenience and reliability of FedEx Express® shipping at a predictable, flat rate. With FedEx One Rate, there’s no weighing or measuring of shipments under 50 lbs.¹, so you can add to the box without adding to the price. Your flat rate includes free packaging options², time-definite 1-, 2- or 3-day delivery, and even some common surcharges.

Shipping made simple
When your shipping process is streamlined with the predictable pricing of FedEx One Rate, you can spend more time on the things that matter, like growing your business. With FedEx One Rate, you can take advantage of the following:

• Manage, plan and communicate shipping costs efficiently with predictable rates that include residential, delivery area and fuel surcharges.³
• Save time by not having to weigh packages or purchase packaging materials.
• Experience FedEx reliability with a money-back guarantee⁴, free packaging in more shapes and sizes and up to $100 in declared value for free.

Getting started
Find your flat rate at fedex.com/tryonerate. You can order your free packaging at fedex.com or by visiting a staffed FedEx location. There you’ll be able to choose from 12 package sizes including unique extra large and small boxes.

Through an association shipping program managed by PartnerShip, you can receive exclusive discounts on select FedEx® services. If you belong to an association we work with, take advantage of our free shipping benefits today. If you’re not sure if you qualify for one of our FedEx small package shipping programs, contact us and we’ll find the solution that’s right for you.

¹Up to 50 lbs. in FedEx paks, boxes and tubes. 10 lbs. in FedEx® Envelopes.

²Quantity restrictions may apply based on your FedEx Express shipping history.

³Value-added services are available for a fee when shipping using FedEx One Rate pricing, such as on-call pickup, Saturday delivery, Saturday pickup, signature service options, and additional declared value over $100. Additional surcharges may include address/account corrections. See fedex.com/fedexonerate for details.

⁴For details on the FedEx Money-Back Guarantee, see Our Services at fedex.com.

Terms, conditions and weight limits apply. Proper packing required.

New White Paper: The 5 Most Common Freight Shipping Mistakes

02/09/2015 — Matt Nagel

As Your Shipping Connection, the PartnerShip goal is to save you money and make sure you're in the know on everything shipping related. That's why we develop informational white papers to help small businesses navigate through the world of transportation and logistics. We've developed a brand new white paper designed to proactively identify and correct commonly made freight shipping mistakes before they cost you valuable time and money. In this white paper we provide:

• Descriptions of some of the more common freight shipping mistakes
• Examples on how these mistakes are impacting your bottom line
• Ways to catch these mistakes before they cost your company money

PartnerShip Goes Red For Women!

02/06/2015 — PartnerShip

February 6^th was National Wear Red Day and the staff of PartnerShip did just that to support The American Heart Association’s “Go Red For Women” campaign.

As a business, we don’t usually like to be in the red, but this was an exception, as our staff donned red to help encourage awareness of the issue of women and heart disease, and to help save lives.

Historically, heart disease has been predominantly associated with men and men have been the subjects of most of the research done to understand heart disease, leading to a heart disease and risk.

Because women have been largely ignored in research, their awareness of their risk of heart disease has suffered. In fact, only 55 percent of women realize heart disease is their No. 1 killer, and less than that know what are considered healthy levels blood pressure and cholesterol. “Go Red For Women” is trying to make sure women know they are at risk so they can take action to protect their health.

Partnership is proud to help “Go Red For Women.” 

UPS and FedEx Increase Fuel Surcharges

02/04/2015 — PartnerShip

FedEx and UPS have both increased their fuel surcharges, effective February 2, 2015. This increase, combined with both companies’ general rate increases in late 2014, mean that almost all shippers will pay more to ship small parcels this year.

FedEx has updated its fuel surcharges for FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, and FedEx Freight offerings that will see costs for FedEx Express and International services rising by up to 4 percent, and Ground service increasing by up to 3.5 percent. The fuel surcharge rate increase will impact virtually all FedEx shippers.

UPS also increased its fuel surcharges for UPS Air and International, and Ground products, which also went into effect February 2nd. UPS Ground fuel surcharges will increase between 0.25 percent and 0.50 percent, and UPS Air and International fuel surcharges will increase up to 0.75 percent.

These fuel surcharges, coupled with both companies’ shift to dimensional pricing, mean that virtually all small package shippers will see cost increases.

PartnerShip can help manage the impact of small package rate increases. We partner with over a hundred trade associations to offer discounted shipping to their members. Companies that enroll in one of these free programs receive significant discounts on select FedEx^® services, which can help offset these rate increases. 

For more information, email sales@PartnerShip.com or call 800-599-2902.

Another Great Year at the NAMM Show

02/02/2015 — Leah Palnik

Another NAMM Show is in the books! Last week PartnerShip team members Harry Centa and Hector Medrano had the pleasure of attending this annual show in Anaheim, California which brings together music enthusiasts from around the world to showcase the latest and greatest products in the industry.

The NAMM Show offers something for every attendee to grow their business, expand their network and learn best practices. Free educational sessions keep members updated on industry trends and there are plenty of networking opportunities between buyers and suppliers. And to keep the enthusiasm level high, there are lively musical performances throughout the entire show for everyone to enjoy.

NAMM members are passionate about music; and PartnerShip is passionate about helping their businesses thrive. The NAMM Shipping Program is one of our most successful association programs and helps hundreds of NAMM members save time and money on their shipping.

While at the show, Harry and Hector collected entries for a $100 Visa card giveaway. Congrats to our winner, Ruby from Best in Music! 

If you didn’t get to attend the NAMM Show but want a look into what it’s all about, check out our photo album below!