Freight & Handling

SHIPPING

SSCI uses 2 types of Services for Shipping Domestic Orders

SSCI will use the most economical of one of the two types of Services as described below to ship your products.

Merchandise Packing

SSCI packages all products in cartons, crates or pallets to protect them from damage caused by shipping. All packing materials used conform to National Trucking standards and regulations.

Small Merchandise Shipped via Parcel Delivery Service

For smaller products and a single product under 70 pounds (31.75Kg) SSCI ships via Parcel Delivery Service. Delivery Services carry these products directly into your facility. Follow SSCI’s Freight Receiving Procedures.

Larger Merchandise Shipped via Motor Freight

For larger products SSCI ships via motor freight, SSCI will request that the delivering carrier call you to arrange delivery of the products. This service allows you, the customer, to schedule adequate time and at least 2 people, and more for larger orders to receive the products and follow SSCI’s Freight Receiving Procedures. This will eliminate a re-delivery charge by the delivering carrier if they come unannounced.

The products you are to receive can be large, bulky and heavy. Safe unloading of the truck and handling of these products are your responsibility.

Unless you have requested ‘Inside Delivery’ at time of ordering products, any damage that occurs during the unloading and receiving of products, the loss will be to you. The Delivering Carrier’s Representative will note any mishandling of products by the customer.

3 Types of Delivering Carrier Services:

For products shipped via Motor Freight

• Tail Gate Delivery - Standard, no extra charge:
  

  This means that the Delivering Carrier’s Representative is responsible for moving the products to the back of the truck. From this point, it is your responsibility to remove the products from the truck and move it into the building or designated area, and follow SSCI’s Freight Receiving Procedures.

• Lift Gate Delivery - Requested by Customer at time of Order, extra charge:
  

  This means that the Delivering Carrier’s Representative is responsible for moving the products to the lift gate and lowering it to ground level. From this point, it is your responsibility to remove the products from the lift gate and move it into the building or designated area and follow SSCI’s Freight Receiving Procedures.

• Inside Delivery - Requested by Customer at time of Order, extra charge:
  

  This means that the Delivering Carrier’s Representative is responsible for moving the products into your facility or designated area. From this point, it is your responsibility to follow SSCI’s Freight Receiving Procedures.

RECEIVING

SSCI provides these instructions for receiving Motor Freight Shipments of products, to better serve our customers.

If you personally are not going to supervise the receiving of your products shipments, make sure these procedures are given to and understood by the individual or the department responsible for receiving your freight.

Recommended Freight Receiving Process Merchandise Inspected Immediately In The Presence Of The Delivering Carrier’s Representative

• Count and open all cartons to inspect the products in the presence of the delivering carrier’s representative.
• Shortages: SSCI numbers each carton of a shipment. If products are received with shortages, note which carton number(s) are missing on the delivery receipt and only sign for the number of pieces received. Immediately notify SSCI Customer Service via phone to inform us of the carton numbers missing.
• Damaged Merchandise: Note the number(s) of the carton with damaged products on the delivery receipt and refuse delivery of damaged products. Only receive and sign for products received. Immediately notify SSCI Customer Service via phone to inform us of the carton numbers of the damaged products.

If these procedures are followed and processed by our customer, SSCI’s Customer Service Department can and will assist our customer with processing the freight claim for proper reimbursement to our customer.

ALTERNATE FREIGHT RECEIVING PROCESS

Delivering Carrier’s Representative will not wait to Inspect all Merchandise

• Count all cartons and open visibly-damaged cartons to inspect the products in the presence of the delivering carrier’s representative
• Shortages: SSCI numbers each carton of a shipment. If products are received with shortages, note which carton number(s) are missing and write the number of pieces received on the delivery receipt. Immediately notify SSCI Customer Service via phone to inform us of the carton numbers missing.
• Damaged Merchandise: Note the number(s) of the carton with damaged products on the delivery receipt and refuse delivery of damaged products. Only receive and sign for products received and write on the delivery receipt, ‘Received Merchandise; Subject to Concealed Damages; Driver would not wait for inspection of all products’. Immediately notify SSCI Customer Service via phone to inform us of the carton numbers of the damaged products.
• Within 2 days of delivery all additional claims, if any, must be filed with the delivering carrier to be considered for customer reimbursement. Open the remaining cartons in the area in which the products were received and inspect for concealed damage. If there is any additional concealed damage, do not use the item and save its carton, packing materials, and do not move the damaged products from the receiving area.
• File a phone claim with the delivering carrier and follow up with a written letter. Forward a copy of the letter to SSCI and retain a copy for your records.
• When the Inspector arrives to inspect the damaged products, allow the inspector to inspect all of the damaged products and packing materials. Show the inspector your copy of the delivery receipt. Read the inspection report carefully. If you do not agree with the report, do not sign it. If the the report calls for the repair of products and you do not agree, do not sign the report. You can only receive new, replacement products if the inspector writes ‘Replace’ on the report.

After these procedures are followed and processed by our customer, SSCI’s Customer Service Department can and will assist our customer with processing the freight claim. These claims do not always result in full reimbursement to our customers.