SHIPPING
AND HANDLING CHARGES
– General Information
Discount
Directionals has six years experience processing crowd and
traffic control products, items which are much more complex
to ship than a book or CD. Our goal in designing this website
was to make it as easy as possible for our customers to
order the items needed. We offer well-designed, quality
products at competitive pricing. Calculating the lowest
shipping charge is a real challenge.
Movement of a product from the origin to the end user requires
clear and definite procedures, whether the cost is included
in the price or not. Our objective is for you, the customer,
to distinguish between the product amount and the variables
involved with the shipping and handling. There are a number
of variables that influence shipping costs, and the “one
size fits all” approach doesn’t seem to fit,
especially since we want to provide the most cost-effective
delivery option for each product. The ability to calculate
a good shipping cost is further complicated because our
products can ship from any of 18 warehouses, depending on
the availability of a product, and the color or model needed.
We could have inflated the purchase price and then advertised
“Free Shipping on All Purchases.” We quickly
decided that wasn’t a game we were going to play.
Customers deserve to know the product cost as well as the
shipping and handling cost.
We could have averaged our shipping costs, so everyone is
billed the same. Someone would always be paying higher freight
charges while someone else gets a bargain. Would it really
be fair for a customer located close to our warehouse to
pay the same rate as the customer on the other side of the
country? We didn’t think so, and we know you wouldn’t
think so either.
The more we talked about it, the more we realized the importance
of a personalized service. It doesn’t matter how advanced
technology becomes, there are some things that still require
the human touch. Calculating shipping charges falls into
that category. We decided to determine shipping charges
the way we’ve always done it – with personalized
human care, with calculations done on a product-by-products
basis, factoring in all the variables, including:
-
Whether a carrier or package service provides the best
service for the product;
-
The
shipping origin and the destination;
-
The
type of packaging;
-
The
possibility of consolidating the packages;
-
Transit
time, especially if time is critical.
Only
a well-trained person can interpret the data and make a
shipping decision that is in the best interest of the customer.
Shortly after your order is placed, one of our experienced
sales associates will calculate shipping charges, to find
the most economical and efficient method of getting your
purchase to your door for each product ordered. You will
receive an email itemizing the cost of your items, by product,
the individually calculated shipping fee, sales tax (if
applicable) and the total. Your order will not ship, and
your credit card will not be charged, without your approval.
SHIPPING
AND HANDLING CHARGES – Available Services
Small
Packages
Our products ship Monday through Friday. Items which are
small (less than 130” in length and girth combined),
light-weight (less than 150 lbs) and easily handled can
be shipped by a standard small package delivery service
(UPS, Fed Ex, or DHL). Rates are predicated on size of the
package, distance from origin to destination, and type of
service requested.
A small package delivery service offers a broad of delivery
options. At one end of the spectrum is the extremely expensive
“same day service;” at the other end, is the
slower but more economical ground service. Delivery can
also be made on a Saturday, at a higher rate.
Carriers assess additional fees for packages requiring special
handling, such as guaranteed delivery day and time.
Our products are shipped ground. If a specific delivery
date is needed, please contact us prior to submitting your
order so we can take all steps necessary to get the product
to you within your time frame. Please note: not all services
may be available in all areas.
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Shipments
If an items is heavy (150 lbs or more) or large (exceeding
130” when adding up the width, depth and height),
it must be sent by truck. The majority of crowd control
items fall into this category, and are delivered by a Less-Than-Truckload
(LTL) carrier. An LTL carrier specializes in small shipments,
those that weigh between 500 and 1,000 pounds, although
it can handle shipments weighing far more.
An LTL carrier does have a minimum shipping charge, based
on the weight, the distance the shipment is traveling, and
the more complex product classification.
-
The
Weight
– easy enough to calculate. We know the weight of
our products. For the larger items which must be banded
onto a pallet, we add 35# per pallet.
The Distance – Carriers typically use a hub, ie,
they pick up packages from several customers, transport
them to a local terminal (or hub), unload them and then
re-load onto different trucks based on the routes travelled
to the final destination. The purpose is to create a full
truckload between hubs.
-
The
Product Classification – Several factors determine
the classification by a combination of the package’s
density, its value, fragility and storage requirements.
The higher the classification, the higher the transportation
cost will be. A product classified as “50”
will cost less per pound than a product classified as
“500.” All carriers use the National Motor
Freight Classification published by the American Trucking
Association.
Accessorial
charges: Services that are beyond the normal
pickup and delivery by the carrier will incur additional
fees. In some cases, based on the weight of the item, or
the nature of the destination, we will know that an accessorial
charge will be assessed in addition to the base shipping
fee. We will notify you of that charge. In other cases,
we need to obtain information from you in order to determine
if any accessorial fees will apply. These fees would be
in addition to the normal gross pricing. Where possible,
we will meet your delivery requirements without having to
request specialized handling in order to save your money.
Residential Delivery: Because of
factors such as limited access, narrow roads, and local
traffic laws, large trucks cannot be sent into residential
areas. Products must be transferred to smaller trucks which
can then deliver to homes, schools, churches, apartment
buildings, camps, farms, public storage facilities or any
non-commercial location. A sample residential delivery fee
would be a rate of $6.30 per 100 pounds, subject to minimum
charge of $63.
Minimum Charge: Due to their size (length and girth), products
such as plastic barricades must be shipped by truck. The
minimum charge could be based on a 250# to 350# shipping
weight, even if the product weighs as little as 25 pounds.
Inside Delivery: If the consignee needs an item moved to
an area other than the normal delivery area, the carrier
will attempt to do so. For example, there is no loading
dock and the driver must transport the item to a lobby.
A sample fee for inside delivery might be calculated at
$5.80 per pound, with a minimum of $35 to move the package
from the truck to an inside location
Lift Gate Service: To minimize damage
to certain products, they may be banded to pallets which
then become heavy and very difficult for one or two men
to unload. A pallet stacked with steel barriers could weigh
close more than 1,200 pounds. We will notify you when a
forklift is needed. If you aren’t able to provide
one, we will work with the carrier to arrange this. A sample
fee would be is $65 per 1⁄2 hr.
Holiday/weekend delivery: Shipments
are picked up and delivered, Monday through Friday. There
are no holiday or Saturday deliveries, unless specifically
requested by you at the time the order is placed. The cost
of a holiday/weekend delivery would probably be determined
by the drivers’ time and wages. For example, one carrier
would add $252 to the shipping cost, calculated at $63/man
hour, 4 hour minimum.
Guaranteed Delivery: When time is
critical, the customer may request “guaranteed”
service, which provides a guarantee that the carrier will
deliver the shipment within the “standard” number
of days established for transit time between the origin
and destination. Guaranteed service will increase the shipping
cost anywhere from 20% to 100%, depending on the carrier
used. The carrier will only guarantee service if enough
lead time is provided and there are no extenuating circumstances,
such as major highway construction or security checks.
Deferred Service: Shipping and handling
fees can add a substantial amount to the total purchase
price of larger, heavier products. To minimize that expense,
all items will ship via deferred service, where it is available.
Although this service does add an additional one to three
days to the delivery time, it can also provide an average
20% reduction in the shipping costs.
If an item must be shipped by truck, we will consider the
origin, the destination and the product when selecting the
carrier. If you have a specific carrier you want us to use,
please contact us by phone or email us prior to placing
your order. We will be pleased to arrange for your carrier
to pick up your order.
SHIPPING AND HANDLING CHARGES – Product Specific
Information
Steel Barricades
The large and heavy steel barriers must be shipped by truck,
originating at our California warehouse. We have worked
hard to reduce damage during transit and to expedite shipping
from the time you place an order until it is loaded onto
a truck. All frames are usually shipped flat, steel-banded
to pallets, with bases and bolts stored between the uprights.
A forklift may be required to unload these; you will be
notified if a forklift is needed. At the discretion of the
shipping department, orders of 10 units or less may be shipped
loose, with bases bolted to the frames.
Frames can be shipped with bases pre-assembled at an additional
cost of $5.00 per unit. Select item #603-999 in the shopping
cart.
Our preferred carrier for steel barriers is Conway Express,
who delivers the fastest LTL delivery time in the US, at
a discounted rate which makes the cost attractive to you,
the customer. Almost any carrier will accept LTL shipments
but not every carrier can handle that shipment from beginning
to end. Unlike carriers that delivery only to specific geographic
states or regions, Conway can handle your shipment from
any pick-up point to any destination within the continental
United States.
Plastic Jersey Barriers
Plastic Jersey barriers are long, heavy and voluminous with
air. Because of their size and weight, they take up a lot
of space on a truck. Shipping these is like shipping light
bulbs, filling the volume of the truck with limited products.
As a result, what appears to be a high shipping rate is
actually quite appropriate for the size of the barrier and
the space taken up in the truck.
Jersey barriers will be shipped by an LTL carrier, subject
to the carrier’s minimum rate. In order to minimize
cost to you, shipping costs will be calculated by an experienced
sales representative, based on the details of your order
A-Frames
Because of their size and shape, A-frames and planks are
bulky and aren’t easily handled. They are bundled
into packages that are easier to load, transport and unload.
A-frames and planks are normally sent via a small package
delivery service. Large quantities, such as 9 or more boxes
of A frames, would be palletized and shipped by LTL carrier.
It is preferred that you order by package, and not by single
units. There is a slight price break when you do so. If
you order odd numbers, such as 6 of a plank that comes in
bundles of 5, you would receive 1 box of 5 planks and 1
loose plank. This increases your shipping and handling costs.
Traffic Barricades
Because of their size and shape, traffic barricades are
bulky and aren’t easily handled. They are bundled
into packages that are easier to load, transport and unload.
These items are normally sent via a small package delivery
service. Large quantities would be palletized and shipped
by LTL carrier.
It is preferred that you order by package, and not by single
units. There is a slight price break when you do so. If
you order odd numbers, such as 6 of a plank that comes in
bundles of 5, you would receive 1 box of 5 planks and 1
loose plank. This increases your shipping and handling costs.
Traffic Cones
Traffic cones are boxed and shipped by a small package delivery
service.
Stanchions and Chains
Stanchions are packaged six to a box and will be shipped
UPS. All products will ship via a small package delivery
service.
Delineators and Bases
The delineators posts are relatively light and can be shipped
by a small package delivery service.
Bases, made of recycled rubber tires, are heavy. If ordering
only one box of the 8 lb. base (item #511-908) or the 12
lb. base (item #511-909), a small package delivery service
will be used. An LTL carrier will be used to ship one box
or more of the 18 lb. base (item #511-910) and 2 or more
boxes of the lighter bases.
Plasticade Products
Because of their size and shape, most Plasticade products
are bulky and aren’t easily handled. They are bundled
into packages that are easier to load, transport and unload.
A-frames and planks are normally sent via a small package
delivery service. Large quantities, such as 7 or more boxes
of Minicades, would be palletized and shipped by LTL carrier.
It is preferred that you order by package, and not by single
units. There is a slight price break by doing so. If you
order odd numbers, such as 6 of a plank that comes in bundles
of 5, you would receive 1 box of 5 planks and 1 loose plank.
This increases your shipping and handling costs.
Plasticade products can be intermixed to reach the same
shipping criteria. For example, signicades and minicades
can be packaged together.
Movit Barricades
Because the Movit barricade is a sturdy, one-piece product,
quantities of 6 or more must be banded to two pallets, one
stacked on top of the other, to minimize breakage to the
feet. Quantities of five or less may be shipped loose, at
the discretion of the shipping department. Regardless of
how this item is packaged, because of its size and weight,
it requires delivery by an LTL carrier, subject to the carrier’s
minimum rate. In order to minimize cost to you, shipping
costs will be calculated by an experienced sales representative,
based on the details of your order
Fencing Panels
Because of its size and weight, this item must be shipped
by an LTL carrier, subject to the carrier’s minimum
rate. In order to minimize cost to you, shipping costs will
be calculated by an experienced sales representative, based
on the details of your order
Folding Security Gates
Many of the portable gates and the folding gates can be
shipped by UPS. Larger gates that exceed 150# in weight,
or 130” in girth, must go by truck.
When calculating freight, we consider a single gate to be
one box; a double gate is considered to be two boxes. There
are no additional shipping costs for any accessorial item
if they are ordered with the gates. If ordered separately,
a shipping charge will apply. Accessorial items would be
brackets, handles, straps and the free-standing posts.
All pressure lock gates will go by truck. Hardware will
be packaged separately from the gate. There are no additional
shipping costs for any accessorial item if they are ordered
with the gates. If ordered separately, a shipping charge
will apply. Accessorial items would be cylinder locks and
floor anchors.
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