As freight carriers adapt to the ever-changing pandemic environment, many are experiencing unprecedented delivery delays. Faced with increased safety and cleaning measures, driver shortages, and terminal closures due to illness or staff shortages, many carriers are struggling to deliver shipments on time. What’s more, UPS and FedEx are experiencing a surge in online shopping and residential deliveries, which strains their capacity to a point where delays are likely.
What does that mean for WCI distributors and their customers?
Unfortunately, it means your order could be delayed even after it ships. Most carriers, including LTL trucking companies, UPS and FedEx, have suspended delivery guarantees until further notice. We’re doing our best to ship product on time, but can’t guarantee shipping or delivery dates given the supply chain and staffing challenges Covid-19 presents. This means no credits or allowances will be granted for orders that are shipped or delivered after their expected date.
Some tips to reduce shipping delays/returns/charges:
- Plan ahead! Allow extra time for production and shipping of your product. Educate customers on the importance of ordering several months in advance. It’s the best way to ensure they have product when they need it. We post current lead times so you can estimate how long it will take to produce your order. Use them as a guideline, and allow as much additional time as possible.
- Confirm delivery address before placing your order. Rerouting shipments due to address changes or incorrect delivery information is time consuming and costly. Getting it right the first time is important. Every address correction has the potential to delay your order – and others.
- Verify that your customer is open and accepting deliveries. Small businesses, schools, and other locations that may not be open for deliveries during their normal hours should post delivery hours, a phone number, and include an alternate address where items may be delivered. Perhaps a neighboring business with regular hours. If delivery attempts are unsuccessful, the product will returned to the sender and additional shipping costs will be incurred.
- Provide your own transportation. If you have your own truck or a carrier that you prefer to use, you can arrange your own pickup.
Rest assured, we’re choosing carriers with a proven track record of delivering on time and doing our best to ship product as quickly as possible. We’re all in this together – and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through daily challenges.