What You Need to Know to Choose the Right Cartage Agent

If you ship items on a regular basis, you know that not every freight carrier can go everywhere at all times. That’s why cartage agents are available to take your shipment those extra few miles that the original shipping provider can’t travel for whatever reason.

But as with any aspect of your supply chain, choosing the right company for this role is crucial to on time, undamaged shipments. Ask each cartage agent you’re considering about the following areas to find one that will help your company keep promises to customers every time.

Experience

A cartage agent that has been in business for many years (and with many satisfied customers to show for it) will be well-versed not only in national trucking regulations, but in local laws and statutes that must be followed to ensure your shipments get exactly where they need to go without any hangups. Additionally, experienced drivers will know the ins and outs of all the roads in their particular area, giving them an advantage when it comes to navigating high-traffic routes during high-traffic parts of the day.

Simply put, a company that’s been there and done that will be better equipped to help you live up to promised delivery times.

Location

Location is another prominent factor that can set one cartage agent apart from another. If the company is close to major hubs like airports, they’ll have an easier and quicker time picking up your freight, and they’ll be able to get on the road to deliver it that much faster.

Ask the potential agent where they’re located in relation to places they’ll need to retrieve your shipments from and you could gain instant peace of mind knowing they’re nearby when your items are ready to travel the next leg of their journey.

Quality Customer Service

If you’re thinking about going into business with anyone, you have to make sure that they can be trusted when things don’t go as planned. In other words, an agent with reliable customer service will work through any problems when they arise and ensure that they’re proactive in preventing them in the first place. You’ll also find that it’s more pleasant to work with companies that care about taking care of their customers as they’ll have better communication and a higher level of effectiveness.

To learn more about a cartage agent’s customer service, look up testimonials and reviews online or do a reference check by asking anyone who’s worked with them about their experience.     

Trained Drivers

Anyone who will be trusted with your shipments should be background checked and trained regularly on changing TSA regulations.

This ensures that the goods you’re sending will be in qualified hands who know how to keep your shipments secure, damage-free, and at the best temperature while keeping the right records and following the proper precautions.   

Warehousing Options

What happens if something you’re shipping gets to the cartage agent early and it’s not supposed to arrive for a couple more days? Does it sit in a hot, unsecured truck in a parking lot somewhere? Or maybe it waits in the airport collecting fees.

Avoiding either of these scenarios is crucial, so ask any potential cartage agent whether they have their own warehouse space. If they do, that can save you time, money, hassle, and even a lost shipment.  

It’s worth it for your business’s reputation and customer satisfaction to find a cartage agent that will fulfill your needs. Instead of going with the first company a friend or colleague suggests, doing some real research on all all your options. You’ll have peace of mind about the choice you make and about the handling of your shipments.

Ready to learn how a full service delivery and logistics provider can help your company? Call us at 214-373-1999 or contact us online today!