Shipping and Warehousing Terms
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Shipping Delays & Warehousing Charges: There will be a storage charge for any order that you delay beyond its initial required delivery date. You will be responsible for a warehousing, storage and handling charges on products beginning 15 days after the initial required delivery date.
Freight Charges: All up front freight quotes are estimates based on rates given by the Transportation Companies and are subject to change. Freight charges are determined by the carrier’s tariff. In addition to the base rate quote, there can be other billed amounts that include, but are not limited to, non-dock fees, call before delivery fees, etc. All Transportation Companies have fuel surcharge add-ons that are also added to the base rate quote (these fuel surcharges change constantly).
When placing your orders please provide how the freight charges are to be handled:
Collect…please provide a phone number and contact name.
Third party billing direct by Transportation Company. It is your responsibility to have established open credit account with the Transportation Company. Without prior credit approval with the carrier, freight charges are normally collected upon delivery of the product.
Prepaid by Furniture Crafters of Virginia, Inc., and added to your invoice (there will be an administrative charge added to the transportation company’s billed rate).
Freight Claims: Furniture Crafters’ responsibility for all merchandise ceases when shipments are received by the carrier. All furniture shipped FOB-Factory means legally the title of ownership is the consignees or customer when the carrier signs the Bill of Lading… prepayment of shipment cost does not effect FOB-Factory terms. The Consignee or Receiver of the merchandise is responsible for verification of quantity and condition before acceptance. If damage is found, the merchandise should be refused and returned to the carrier for repair at the carrier’s expense. Furniture Crafters’ is not responsible for merchandise damaged in transit, or while merchandise is in storage. Those claims should be filed directly with the carrier or storage facility. Failure to make such claim after a 7-day (72 hours on concealed damage) period is deemed to constitute the customers acceptance of the merchandise. Any additional freight charges will be invoiced.
All shipments should be opened and inspected as soon as they are received. Check what you received against the Delivery Receipt or the Bill of Lading. These are legal documents and should receive the proper attention intended to protect all parties.
Visually inspect all cartons and containers for any obvious damage or abuse. Any visible damage to a carton or packaging materials must be noted on the Delivery Receipt---“Cartons Damaged, Contents Subject to Inspection”.
In the event of freight damage, the consignee or customer, not the shipper, must file the freight claim. Prepayment of shipment in no way changes the FOB status of the shipment. All freight claims must be in writing, verbal messages are in many cases deemed useless.
For obvious damage or shortages…Note any shortages and damages to carton or merchandise in detail on your copy and the driver’s copy of the Delivery Receipt or Bill of Lading. Make sure the carrier’s driver also signs and dates this document. Also note, “Claim will be filed due to listed damage or loss”. All this must be in writing.
All damaged merchandise plus packing materials must be kept in the general vicinity of delivery until an inspection report is made by the delivering carrier. So it is important that you do not dispose of the cartons or packaging until you have properly handled any and all discrepancies. Call the carrier’s nearest office and request an inspection. Also send the following written notice “This is notification of intent to file claim against damaged merchandise-inspection requested ASAP”. This request must take place immediately after delivery. Make sure all claim forms are requested and properly completed. Once a claim is officially made in writing the carrier must provide prompt inspection and give you a written report.
If concealed damage is found, you should telephone the carrier to expedite a “Consignee Concealed Damage Claim Form”, which upon completion is to be filed with the carrier. You must notify the carrier within 72 hours of delivery and follow the above-mentioned guidelines.
Returns: No merchandise is to be returned to us without first securing the proper return authorization from Customer Service. To obtain proper authorization, send to us in writing detailed information as to why you wish to return the merchandise. All instructions must be followed for proper credit, and we will refuse to accept delivery of any merchandise returned to us without such authorization. Damage due to negligence, misuse, or freight damage is not to be considered to involve factory defects. Any damage incurred upon the return of merchandise because of customers’ improper packaging will be billed to the customer. Any and all damages will be billed on a time and materials basis. All claims against Furniture Crafters of Virginia, Inc. resulting from defect, shortage, or error must be made within 7 days after delivery. The facts on which the claim is based must be directed in writing to Furniture Crafters’. Failure to make such claim within a 7-day period is deemed to constitute the customer’s acceptance of the merchandise.