10 Ways to Get the Best Freight Shipping Rate

​Have you been provided with a massive quote after approaching your freight shipping company? Then there are some effective methods available for you to follow to save money and go for the best rate. Below mentioned are ten such effective ways out of them. You can try out any of the below-mentioned methods and stay away from spending a fortune on your freight shipping service provider. 

1.    Send out your shipments on off-peak days
The freight shipping rates on off-peak dates are considerably low when compared to the shipping rates on peak dates. Therefore, you will be provided with the ability to save a lot of money by sending your shipments on off-peak days. 

2.    Get into a contract with your 3PL/freight broker
If you are sending out freight shipments on a regular basis, it would be a good idea to get into a relationship with your service provider. Then the 3PL will be able to build out their network in an effective manner. Hence, you will be able to receive an efficient service at the end of the day. On the other hand, you will be provided with the best freight shipping rates as well.

3.    Use a consolidation program for the smaller shipments 
To handle all your smaller loads, it is possible for you to seek the assistance of a consolidation program. When you select consolidation programs, you will be combining your shipments along with the other companies located in the neighborhood with the same set of retailers. Hence, you will be able to refrain from spending a lot of money on the smaller shipments. 

4.    Never become a rate shopper 
When trying to obtain the best freight shipping rate, you shouldn’t become a rate shopper. Instead, you will have to develop relationships. You shouldn’t get into contracts with new freight shipping service provider every single year. Alternatively, you are encouraged to maintain your relationships with the same service provider for an extended period. Then you will be provided with the ability to request a better rate as well. 

5.    Increase the lead times of your deliveries 
You can introduce planning into supply chain at any given time and increase the notice that you have given out to the freight shipping service provider about future loads. Then the service provider will be able to work accordingly and maximize available assets, such as warehouse space, drivers, and trucks. The benefits of asset optimization will be provided to you in the form of discounts. 

6.    Minimize dunnage as much as possible 
Most of the products that you send out as freight shipments required bracing, blocking, strapping and airbags to stay away from damage during long-distance transport. However, some of the shippers tend to go overboard when they are planning to provide enhanced protection to a product. The 3PL will be able to assist you in such instances. That’s because they can minimize on the dunnage and help you reduce the shipping expenses. 

7.    Load quickly 
When the freight shipping service provider create a quote, they allocate two hours for loading. You must always try to load in a lesser time. If you can prove the carrier that you don’t need two hours to complete loading, you will be provided with the chance to go for a better rate. 

8.    Provide nighttime pickups 
The carriers are usually busy during the daytime. But they won’t be working like that during the night time. Due to this reason, you can think about offering nighttime pickups. It can provide you with the ability to request a better shipping rate as well. 

9.    Reduce the number of pallet spaces needed 
When you are optimizing the space available for shipping, you must take appropriate steps to minimize the number of pallet spaces. The products can be appropriately stacked to reduce the usage of pallet spots. Or else, it is possible for you to box the products differently. With that, you will be able to save around $150 per pallet space. 

10.    Try to ship more products less often 
You will have to think about tempting your customers to go for large orders. Then you will be able to export more products less often. If you take a closer look at the expenses, you will realize that the amount you have to pay to send out six pallets for one time is significantly low when compared to the costs that you will have to bear when sending one pallet at a time for six instances. 


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