11 Dec 2018
For those that haven't received freight shipments before there are a few things to know.
- The usual flow is that they ship it to a nearby warehouse, call you to schedule a day (sometimes even time window) to deliver it.
- You MUST be there to accept it and sign for it.
- Whether they allow redelivery without an extra charge (could be hundreds of dollars) before shipping it back depends on the shipping company and service selected by the shipper.
- You need to be sure to let the shipper know that it's a residential delivery to a location without a dock.
- You'll need a truck with a lift gate. It's also worth noting that you may need help getting it in a garage or other covered area. This depends on the type, size, and your ability to move the shipment.
- Unless of course you're at an apartment building or condo with a truck dock that you can use.
- Plan ahead
- The truck will probably stop on the street and unload the item there. It really depends on where you live, the layout, and what the drive is willing/able to do in terms of maneuvering what could easily be an 18-wheeler semi.
- You'll need a way for a pallet jack to move your shipment to wherever you want it. That means no big bumps, grass, or anything but reasonably smooth, level pavement. A pallet jack is usually what the drivers have for moving pallets - aka skids - around in the truck
- You may need to get friends to help with unpacking and/or moving the device into its final position. Depending on the size and weight along with the type of shipping platform you might need help just to get it off the pallet.