Late or missing deliveries can add up quickly and jeopardize your freight network without a dependable, well-defined schedule for receiving freight at the customer’s location. Freight carriers must first contact the consignee to set an appointment for delivery. If the consignee doesn’t arrive on time, the driver must wait or circle back later. The consignee must also describe where to deliver the shipment.

Here’s what you should take note of to have effective appointment scheduling.

LTL Delivery Appointments Delay the Transit

Inaccurate paperwork can delay LTL freight delivery appointments and cause missed pickups and deliveries. Therefore, it is important to double-check all information, cross reference details, and communicate with your carrier to prevent any delays. It is also important to stay aware of any delays you might encounter in transit so you can adjust your schedule accordingly. When scheduling LTL freight deliveries, call the terminal where your shipment will be picked up and verify there is enough space. Delay dates may change due to weather; sometimes, natural disasters can affect delivery time. This is when you need to cooperate with a trucking company like https://www.csatransportation.com/services/shipping-to-us-from-canada. They support businesses of all sizes in shipping freight from Canada to the U.S. Having a solid shipping partnership with a trusted trucking company can be crucial to your business’s success. Whether you need a delivery to a remote customer or a local warehouse to fulfill orders, the trucking company must provide the solutions you need. 

Drivers’ HOS Clocks Don’t Stop 

To avoid HOS, shippers should communicate their freight specifications. By doing so, they can ensure compliance with safety regulations, and brokers can plan transportation rates accordingly. In addition, they can plan for the hours of service in advance.

Thanks to the ELD mandate, drivers have relied on paper logs to record HOS. Fortunately, Geotab ELD offers a comprehensive fleet compliance management solution that allows drivers to log HOS and RODS, as well as Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR). It also includes an easy-to-use mobile app for tracking HOS and duty status.

Notifying the Consignee

If you’re scheduling freight appointments, it’s important to notify the consignee. Failure to do so can result in the carrier having to circle back later or wait for a consignee to accept delivery. When you make the appointment, notify the consignee of the location of the shipment and any dock availability. This way, both parties will have a clear idea of when the delivery will be made.

Freight appointments can be challenging, particularly during the holiday season, when many people order items and the roads are packed. However, dispatchers have extensive experience scheduling freight appointments and know the best way to avoid them.

Getting a Spot Quote on Demand

Comparing spot quotes is time-consuming and tedious, especially if you’re dealing with multiple carriers. Even worse, you may end up with a spot quote that is less than satisfactory. Moreover, requesting spot quotes from unfamiliar carriers can create extra costs that compound quickly. That’s why avoiding reliance on spot quotes is important for your business.

A freight broker is the best option if you’re looking for service and price. Freight brokers can provide fast quotes and offer customer support for specific shipping needs.

Warm-market Prospecting

The most critical aspect of warm-market prospecting is to keep an open mind and a lack of expectations. Having unrealistic expectations can turn away a warm prospect. Also, remember that it is crucial to be genuine in your interactions with potential customers. By being judgmental, you may end up wasting your time and energy. Instead, be open-minded, listen carefully to your potential customer’s words, and ask questions.

You’ll be approaching your “warm” market when you’re first starting. These are the people you know and have relationships with. Approaching them with a business opportunity is a great way to get them off the ground. Unlike cold-market prospecting, your warm-market connections will not require any approval from you. Instead, they will appreciate your commitment and dedication to your business.

Email Follow-up

Whether you’re a trucking company or a trucking broker, email follow-up for freight appointments is critical for the success of your business. The most effective follow-up emails use conversational language rather than robotic text. They jog the recipient’s memory and remind them of the previous contact. They don’t tell them what to do but instead remind them why they should do business with you.

Remember that people are busy. Even if they open your email, they’ll likely close it without reading the entire message. The exception is if you can get them to open and read it later. However, most people won’t even bother to read it, so ensure you limit the amount of text in your emails. Rather than sending long emails full of text, send links to relevant information and attach large pieces of information. You can even find email templates you can customize for your business and your customers’ needs.