Damaged Freight Guidelines

In the freight transportation world, shipping has become more of a challenge these days. A shortage of drivers means more freight is being added to each trailer, causing more damage to shipments.

Western States is doing everything possible to limit this damage by using higher strength cartons, extra shrink-wrap on skids, corner guards, and placing large fluorescent notes on skids, reminding the carrier to not double stack our products.

To receive credit for damaged goods, we want to remind everyone that we must receive the delivery receipt signed for as damaged, with specifics as to the extent of the damage. Please look over your shipments upon arrival, note any visual damage, and provide a copy of that receipt to Western States within 48 hours. This helps us expedite the freight claim and credit or re-ship the product to you. Without that information and signature, Freight Companies will not issue credit and therefore, we are forced to take the same stance.

Update:

Concealed Damage Claims are not accepted by most carriers. The driver must give the customer sufficient time (time table below) to inspect the skids which includes breaking down skids if necessary.

Reminder/Tamper labels will now be applied to all shipments to remind for the need to inspect the pallet and if the label is tampered this could possibly indicate that damage is hidden.

This is not a change in policy at Western States, but rather an enforcement of our existing policy. As always, we appreciate your business and look forward to our continued partnership in the upcoming months and years!

Download the Freight Claim Tip Sheet to see further advice and a completed delivery sheet example.