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Many of our customers have asked us about the shipping process.
Below are 3 pictures of a 48" diameter medallion and the crate that its ships in.
We start with a pallet for a base - this allows the piece to be handled with a pallet jack (shown) or a forklift throughout its journey. A vertical wall is constructed of 2" x 4" lumber and 3/8" plywood to hold the medallion. The crate is lined with styrofoam (to cushion the piece in transit) and held in place with support bars to ensure that the piece stays vertical.
We use a nail gun to seal one side of the crate. The other side is put together with screws - this is the side for the customer to open. The best tool for the job is a screw gun - a phillips head screw driver will also work.
All our customers are well advised to inspect the crate and its contents before signing the bill of lading for the trucking company. The signature releases the trucking company from any damage claim.
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Shipping Costs are dependant on three factors:
1) Distance from the factory (S.E. United States)
2) Size and number of medallions
3) Residential or Business (loading dock) delivery
Shipping takes approximately 3 weeks. Shipping cost depend on final destination and whether or not the shipment is to a residence or business location. Our factory is located in the southeast U.S. Shipping of a 36" medallion to a residence is estimated to be approximately $200-300 depending on your location. Larger medallions such as a 4j8-72" medallion shipping can run from $250 to $375.
Shipping to a residence is more expensive than shipping to a busines location with a loading dock. Check with your installer to see if they have a facility available. In general, trucking companies charge about $125-150 more to deliver to a residence. This is because the typically have to change trucks to accomodate a load that can slide off onto the ground.
MEDALLION SHIPPING & RECEIVING
We make and ship medallions all across the country on a regular basis. We have very few problems with our shipments, only 2 or 3 per year. Almost all of these problems occur with the small percentage of shipments that go to residences. This is why we try to steer our customers away from residential deliveries.
It is critical that whoever receives this crate makes sure that they open the crate and inspect the medallion for damage before signing any transportation documents. If the medallion is damaged, it must be noted on the bill of lading in order to have any claim against the shipping company. You should accept the damaged medallion. We will make arrangements to have it returned. However, once the receiver signs the bill of lading without comments noting damage, the shipping company is completely released from any liability for damage to the contents.
The medallion has been secured in a substantial crate constructed of 2” x 4” lumber and plywood that has been lined with protective foam. It is mandatory that the medallion ship upright (see photo below).
If the crate does not look like this when it arrives, it is almost certain that the medallion inside will be broken. Residential delivery services have been known to disassemble our crates (breaking the medallion inside in the process). Please make sure that whoever receives the medallion checks to see that the crate looks like this picture when it arrives. This should be the first step in the inspection process.
The receiver must be prepared to open the crate. In addition to the necessary manpower, a Phillips head screwdriver (or preferably a power screwdriver) will be needed to open the crate. Please note – only one side of the crate has screws – the other side is nailed. Open the crate by removing the screws from the vertical plywood panel. Being careful to keep the medallion from falling out of the open crate, remove the foam and inspect the medallion. Check to make sure it is in one piece and has not been cracked or chipped. If everything looks good, replace the foam and the plywood panel and sign the bill of lading. If there is damage, the bill of lading needs to be marked "received damaged / destroyed", along with a specific description of the damage. You can accept the medallion and we will arrange to have it picked up for repair or replacement. Having the ability to take pictures of any damage is an added level of documentation.
As a final reminder, the only opportunity the receiver has to hold the shipper liable is upon delivery. If the bill of lading is signed (by anyone) without a notation of damage - the receiver owns the merchandise in whatever condition it is in. If you have any questions, please contact us at 877-464-6529 thank you for your business. |
