All right – We can summarize our drayage discussion by highlighting all the features of the past 7 videos – What I call – Drayage 101. So let’s just dig. Now, I decided not to go into all the drayage terminology. I felt that if you needed to understand the difference between stacked shipments and constricted space unloading, you would probably be working with a display house already that can control these specifics better. Ok – so Drayage 101 – let’s just go down the checklist:
- Consolidate shipments to make the best use of the 200 pound minimum.
- Send 2 pound FedEx’s or small shipments to your hotel and hand carry them into the show – again to avoid 200 pound minimums.
- Advanced drayage can save a lot of money in shipping costs when you can transship from one show to another.
- Work with a display house to consolidate your shipment and ship your freight. Their surcharge is typically less expensive than the additional cost for loose or special handling drayage. They also get deep discounts with shipping companies because of the volume of shipping they do.
- Avoid mixed loads. Separate loose items from crated items, by using separate Bill of Ladings. This way the general contractor will not charge your entire shipment with special handling of usually 30 percent more added to your total drayage bill. A loose carpet and pad can turn an entire crated shipment into special handling. OUCH!
- Direct Freight can save you money when you can schedule your freight to arrive on straight time. Advanced freight always comes in during the first move in day regardless of ST or OT.
- Use trucking companies nicknamed “padded vans” when possible because they do not charge waiting time for direct drayage shipments like air freight companies do.
- Look to your display house to help you lighten the cost of your exhibit program using fabrics and other techniques to reduce your shipping and drayage costs.
- Take photos of shipments and label all packages underneath the stretch wrap in case the stretch wrap is removed or torn. Identify shipments on bills of lading as 1 pallet of 8 boxes – not just one pallet.
Let’s stop there and pick up next week with another drayage 101 list.
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We will see you next week. Until then, I am your host Michael Gray telling you to RELAX in the Exhibitor Lounge.