Shipping your Art
This is The Painted Pinto process for billing and shipping and if you have any valuable information we welcome it with open arms.
Lately there has been a stir in the artist community about freight and it has lead to a lot of confusion, I hope that my knowledge and experience helps with easing some of that.
There are a few steps that I take to protect myself, my client and also a the carriers transporting my freight. I have heard a bad wrap given to freight companies for the better part of 25 years and believe me that industry is no different than any other, it has its good and bad you just have to educate yourself. It is my responsibility to make sure to produce a quality product but it doesn’t stop there its not complete until they either show up at my shop for a CPU aka Customer/Client Pick Up or transportation is arranged by them or myself.
STEP 1) Once a piece is completed and it has sold I go through a series of questions with my clients so that I can understand their schedule regarding deliveries along with any community or subdivision restrictions, I also ask them if there will be help present to assist with the delivery if needed AND what is the dynamics of getting the piece moved into the location that a carrier might have to negotiate such as stairs etc. I also ask them what are they comfortable with of a freight rate and time frame. If I am not delivering my piece and I have to out source the delivery I will either use a carrier that I have already cleared or will turn to an online shipping source for quotes.
Step 2) Listing your piece for quotes you should always take clear pictures and list accurate measurements. You will also want to list any specific equipment requirements that will be needed for your piece such as height requirements, blanket wrapped, securing equipment etc., I also at this time as them to provide me with their experience and Operating Authority information. If a carrier is FOR Hire you are required to have a USDOT # MC # and be registered with the Federal Government. A carrier is required to be in good standing and have insurance coverage for cargo along with a W-9 for your taxes to show you facilitated a legit business to move your shipment. If a carrier doesn’t have any of this information you are choosing to bare all the financial responsibility for the shipment if it is lost or stolen. We are all in BUSINESS and part of that is to educate ourselves on proper steps.
Step 3) Once you have contracted a carrier to move your shipment you will want to make sure and schedule pickup and deliver dates and times with yourself and the client. I always take the time before I’ve contracted a carrier to wrap my art with bubble and shrink wrap even though I am hiring it as a “White Glove” shipment. Upon arrival of the carrier to load you should have 3 copies of a BOL – Bill Of Lading that will clearly spell out your clients delivery name, address and phone number. In the body of the BOL it will describe the contents being shipped, such as a bed would list headboard, footboard, rails and slats. This is also the place where I list the carrier information as to whom they are and contact information. Below the body of the BOL will be a place for the Shipper, Carrier and the Client to sign and date. The Shipper and Carrier will sign up pickup and the client at the time of delivery. I always ask the driver for his license to make a copy for my records and I also notate the license plate and description on the vehicle if it is a new carrier I have not worked with. I will retain a copy signed by him and send him with the other 2 copies. I will inform him that he is to stay inContact with me and the client each day in transit till he has reached delivery. I also ask that he contacts my client the day in advance with an approximate ETA so they can be there to receive. Once there he will deliver the piece and have them sign off on one copy of the BOL and he will sign and leave their copy with them. It’s not a bad idea to have your carrier forward a copy of the signed BOL by the client to you for your records.
- Lastly there is no better feeling for me than to see the end product of a happy client receiving a beautiful piece and a professional carrier who delivers with out hiccup. We want repeat clients and dedicated carriers.
