Save Money Shipping Freight
Are you tired of unexpected expenses eating into your bottom line? Discover the key strategies to slashing freight shipping costs and maximizing your savings.
Like every other business aspect, you want to save money when shipping freight. Unfortunately, the freight shipping learning curve can be more expensive than necessary if you’re not careful.
Many business operators will be surprised to learn about these three ways an alarmingly larger than-expected shipping bill can be run up in no time.
We provide competitive freight shipping prices and an all-inclusive, easy-to-use shipping experience for our customers. Exceeding our customers’ expectations results in thousands of satisfied customer reviews and repeat business. We believe in the power of our customer relationships. Check out FreightCenter reviews from real customers, and learn what they have to say about their freight shipping experience!
- 2021, 2017 & 2016 Food Logistics’ Top Green Providers
- 2021 & 2018 Supply & Demand Chain Executives’ Pros to Know: Matthew Brosious
- 2020 & 2019 Top Food Logistics’ 3PL & Cold Storage Provider Award
- 2020 & 2019 Business Observer’s Top 500 Companies on the Gulf Coast
- 2020 & 2017 SmartWay® Transport Partner
- 2020 & 2017 Food Logistics’ Champions: Rock Stars of the Supply Chain
- 2020 Best of Palm Harbor Awards for Local Businesses
- 2017 Green Supply Chain Award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive
- 2017 Tampa Bay Business Journal Heroes at Work
- 2016, 2015, & 2012 Food Logistics Top 100 Software and Technology Providers
- 2013 Tampa Bay Business 100 by Tampa Bay Business Journal
- 2013 Top 100 Great Supply Chain Partners by SupplyChainBrain
- 2012 TIA Samaritan Award Honorable Mention
- 2012, 2011 & 2010 TBBJ Fast 50 Recipient
- 2013, 2011, & 2010 Diversity Business Top Businesses
Why Use FreightCenter?
If you’ve fallen victim to these three mistakes (or others that have cost you money), you have our sincerest sympathies. Just know that you are not alone in making costly freight shipping errors. Prefer not to do it again?
Next time you have freight to ship, save money and start by getting a quote from FreightCenter or calling us at 800.716.7608. Look for a company that offers the right combination of technology and a personal touch.
The money you don’t waste will make you feel good. The peace of mind you get from a solid business partner is priceless.
Alarm #1 – Save Money Shipping Freight Directly Instead of Using a 3PL
One of the most common mistakes newbie shippers make is booking their shipment directly through a carrier instead of using a 3PL (third-party logistics provider). It’s easy to understand why they made this mistake.
We are taught to save money by “cutting out the middle man.” But when shipping freight, a good 3PL like FreightCenter will always save you money by helping you find the most affordable freight carrier that meets your unique needs.
To prove this point, one of the logistics experts at FreightCenter ran a quote using two different methods. In one method, they called the carrier directly and requested the price they would give to a non-frequent shipper.
The other method entailed getting a quote from FreightCenter’s TMS (Transportation Management System)—the same method anyone can use online to get a free freight shipping quote—using the exact same shipping details.
The quote above was for shipping from one business to another, loading dock to loading dock. No, that’s not a typo. In this case, going directly to the carrier could cost you more than $1,000.00.
Third-Party Logistics
How is it possible that a 3PL like FreightCenter can save you 65% shipping your freight? The answer is two-fold:
- Many businesses reward frequent customers. For freight carriers, 3PLs are very frequent customers. We ship hundreds of times a day and make it easy for the carriers by ensuring the orders are correct and that we deal with all possible issues before we book.
- Shipping freight is a fairly difficult business. Carriers like their jobs to be as simple as possible. If you make their jobs simpler, they will charge a lot less. That’s why 3PLs enjoy great savings, while businesses that ship infrequently do not.
Before you book a shipment directly through a carrier, take a few minutes and get an instant online quote from FreightCenter. When shipping freight, you’ll save yourself a lot of time, aggravation, and money.
To create value for our customers by delivering customized shipping solutions that meet their unique needs and to fulfill shipping demands from simple to complex with expertise, guidance and ingenuity.
Rail shipping is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly transportation method that utilizes trains to move goods over long distances. It's known for its efficiency in handling large volumes of cargo, making it a sustainable and economical choice for businesses seeking reliable freight transport options.
Expedited shipping is a premium service designed to meet urgent delivery needs. It prioritizes speed and quick turnaround, ensuring that packages or goods reach their destination faster than standard shipping options. Expedited shipping is the go-to choice when time-sensitive deliveries are essential, providing businesses and individuals with reliable and prompt service for critical shipments.
White glove shipping is a premium service that goes beyond standard delivery, offering meticulous handling, specialized packaging, and in-home setup or installation for valuable or delicate items, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free experience for customers.
Less than truckload (LTL) shipping is a smart logistics solution for businesses with smaller shipments. It combines multiple smaller shipments into a single truckload, optimizing space and reducing costs. LTL shipping offers affordability and efficiency while ensuring timely delivery, making it an ideal choice for companies looking to save on transportation expenses without compromising on service quality.
Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.
Alarm #3 – The Pallet Is Too Big
This one is going to sound a little crazy, but it happens from time to time. Freight attached to pallets must cover at least 65% of the surface area of the pallet. If it doesn’t meet that specification, the carrier can charge you for shipping the pallet instead of what’s on the pallet.
While that might not sound so bad, it’s very expensive. Freight classifications are based on density. The higher the density, the lower the class (and the lower the cost). Let’s take a look at an example.
Bricks are very dense and have a low freight class of 50 (the lowest class). But if you put bricks on a pallet and do not cover at least 65% of the surface area with bricks, the carrier would be within its rights to charge you for shipping the pallet, not the bricks.
With a standard freight class for pallets of 200, you end up paying hundreds of dollars (if not thousands) more just for using a pallet that is too large.
Most carriers will ignore your use of a too-large shipping pallet, but that one time when they don’t can hurt your wallet. At FreightCenter, our freight agents can help ensure your compliance.
Just give them the measurements and send a photo of the packaged shipment.
Save Money Shipping Freight FAQs
Q. How can I reduce freight shipping costs without compromising on service quality?
You can reduce costs by consolidating shipments, negotiating better rates with carriers, optimizing packaging to minimize dimensional weight charges, and using a freight broker to access discounted rates.
Q. Are there any strategies to save money on international freight shipping?
Strategies include choosing the most cost-effective mode of transportation (sea, air, rail, or truck), leveraging freight forwarders for bulk discounts, utilizing free trade zones or preferential trade agreements, and accurately completing customs paperwork to avoid delays and fines.
Q. Can I save money on freight shipping by optimizing my supply chain processes?
Absolutely. Streamlining your supply chain can reduce shipping costs by minimizing storage and handling expenses, improving inventory management to reduce rush shipments, and implementing efficient order fulfillment processes to consolidate shipments.
Q. How can I ensure I get the best freight rates from carriers?
Regularly review and compare quotes from multiple carriers, negotiate volume discounts based on your shipping volume, establish long-term partnerships with reliable carriers, and consider using freight rate benchmarking tools to ensure you’re getting competitive rates. At the end of the day, FreightCenter is your go-to for these freight needs.
Q. Are there any cost-saving measures specific to small businesses shipping freight?
Small businesses can save on freight shipping by bundling shipments, utilizing freight consolidation services, taking advantage of carriers’ small business discounts, and exploring cooperative shipping arrangements with other businesses in similar industries.
Advantages of Saving Money With FreightCenter
Competitive Pricing
FreightCenter can help you find the best rates from top carriers to save money while shipping freight.
Budget Flexibility
Shipping with FreightCenter can allow your business to stay within budget while having your shipping needs taken care of.
Customer Satisfaction
FreightCenter offers services that not only help you save money but ensure that you are satisfied.
