Tips for Smooth Delivery from Freight Lines

Please read the freight tips below to ensure that the delivery of your Paragon kiln is as smooth as possible. We greatly appreciate you as a customer and want you to be 100% satisfied with your kiln purchase.

*** The freight cost and delivery time of your order are only estimates. We cannot give exact freight costs; unexpected fees may be incurred that are beyond Paragon’s control. We cannot give actual delivery guarantees; trucks can be delayed by weather or other unforeseen circumstances. ***

Before You Place Your Order

Someone Over the Age of 18 Must be There to Sign and Unload Your New Purchase.

1) Lift Gates and/or Inside Delivery

Shipments to residential areas usually require a lift gate, which is a motorized tailgate that lowers the kiln to your driveway, because most houses do not have high docks. You must request the lift gate when you order the kiln so that this can be notated on the bill of lading. There will be a redelivery charge that will be billed in addition to your invoice if the lift gate is not notated on the bill of lading.

Will you need help unloading the kiln upon delivery? You have options!

1)      Ask for inside delivery when placing your order for an extra fee.

2)      Package handling companies will off-load and uncrate packages for a fee.

3)      Unload it yourself.

Just make sure you have enough people/equipment to help unload the kiln. Please understand that inside delivery does not include uncrating and setting up the kiln.

2) Difficult Access Locations

Do you live where a large 18-wheel tractor trailer would have difficulty maneuvering? (Examples: gravel roads, narrow or steep roads, dead-end streets, sharp turns, power lines that are too low for a truck to get through.) Notifying the trucking company of this in advance will prevent extra costs and difficulties.

There are several options for delivery to a difficult location:

1) Meet the tractor trailer at the end of the street.

2) Pick up the kiln yourself at the freight terminal, saving you the residential delivery fee.

3) At the time of order, specify that you will need a small box truck for delivery.

3) Delivery Point is the Curb

Most trucking companies will deliver a crate only to the curb or the front of your driveway. This is because an 18-wheeler cannot go up your driveway unless you have a commercial location that accepts trucks. It is the customer’s responsibility to move the crate into the desired location. Most companies offer inside delivery, as stated above. With a little kindness and monetary appreciation, the driver may place the crate closer to your desired location.

Receiving Freight Shipments

We pack all our kilns for truck shipment in carrier-approved crates. We ship thousands of kilns a year and only a small percentage are damaged in transit. As with all factories, our terms of sale are F.O.B. (freight on board) shipping point, meaning that title to these goods passes to you when the carrier receives the goods at our plant. Here are some tips on how to receive freight shipments:

1) Count the Number of Pieces

The number of pieces in the shipment is on the bill of lading. Make sure you received all items and that they are all addressed to you before the driver leaves.

2) Check for Shipping Damage Upon Arrival

If you see:

Minor cosmetic visible damage to packaging or contents

Document the damage on the delivery paperwork. Note even small damage to the crate or cardboard, such as torn paper, crinkled cardboard, or loose banding. Have the driver give you a copy. Have him sign it. Take pictures. Open the crate or box as soon as possible and inspect the contents.

 Obvious visible damage

Refuse the shipment. Note or have the driver note the nature and extent of damage on the delivery paperwork. Get a copy of the paperwork. Take pictures of the damaged crate or box and contents.

Concealed damage found after delivery

If damage to contents is found upon opening, notify your distributor and/or carrier immediately. The carrier must be notified within 5 days of receipt. Leave the damaged goods in the original shipping container. THIS IS ESSENTIAL! Keep all packing materials. Take pictures of the crate and damaged contents.

Have the carrier arrange for an inspection of the goods. Write down the name of the person you speak to and the time and date of your phone call. After the inspection, file a claim as quickly as possible. You will need these documents to file the freight claim: 1) carrier’s damage claim form 2) Paragon’s invoice 3) bill of lading showing the notation describing damage 4) paid freight bill 5) carrier’s inspection report 6) invoice for repair.

Thank you very much for your business! If you have any questions about freight, please call us at 972-288-7557 or email us at info@paragonweb.com.