Shipping Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does declared value mean? Why do I have to declare a value on my shipment?
2. What does a tracking number do?
3. What is guaranteed service mean?
4. What is dimensional weight? How can I figure out my DIMS?

Insurance versus Declared Value

DON'T BE FOOLED BY ANY COURIERS CLAIM TO INSURE YOUR ITEMS DURING TRANSPORT. Only an insurance company can sell insurance.  Shippers work on "declared value" as a figure to value loss or damage.  FedEx ground provides $100 of declared value coverage at it's base level. However, should a claim arise, the true value (up to $100) of the shipment will need to be verified by documentation. Shipment values above $100 should be declared at the time of shipment. There is an added cost for  "declared values" over $100.00.  True value is only determined in the unfortunate event of loss or damage.  Even if you pay extra for a higher value, only the actual value is covered.  It is rare that damages are covered by any shipper/courier.  It is usually stated that more/heavier/bigger packaging should have been used.  Unless there is a forklift dent or a bootprint on the package, it is generally deemed by carriers that you (the shipper) did not adequately pack your item(s) for shipment.  Pretty much the packaging should be determined by the fragility of the contents.  As a general rule, your package should be able to be dropped from a height of 6 feet and not come apart or smash.  When in doubt, OVERPACK. The coverage will only pay for the COST of the goods shipped (wholesale or similar).  It is wise to note here that personal goods, used goods, unique items and high ticket items are not covered, regardless of any value stated; so, declared value is really only truely in force between business-to-business and business-to-customer shipments of new goods. 

Tracking Numbers

When shipping anywhere, we will issue you a tracking number.  This number exists in bar-code on your shipment. As your package moves through the ship channels (truck - depot - transport - plane - transport - depot - truck - delivery), the bar-code is scanned, and the location of your package is logged in the couriers' system. The location of your package in the system can be viewed by you by going to our tracking page and entering your tracking number (for FedEx shipments). Freight shipments use PRO numbers and are tracked through the freight carriers website.

Guaranteed Service:

 Service guarantees are another matter.  On premium services only, you will be given a specified time of delivery, say 10 a.m. next day and if this is not met, you will be refunded your cost of shipping, unless it snows really badly, or there is an earthquake or similar disaster. Ground services depend on the amount of time it takes to drive there and the location on the delivery route.  FedEx ground is next day in much of southern Ontario and up to 4 days to the coasts.

Packages to the States will need a customs declaration and a bill of sale (commercial invoice available on line or at the store).  Other paperwork may be required.  A broker service is required for all shipments over $200.00 USD.   Come in and we will help with the paperwork.

Dimensional Weight:

DIMENSIONAL WEIGHT is a calculation done by all shipping companies to guarantee the revenue per unit of space taken up by a shipment on their trucks, or boats, or planes. 

Imagine a 100 lb box of canned goods; it would take up a certain amount of space on a truck.  Now imagine a 100 lb box of feathers!  It would take up 10 times the room maybe, and you would get a lot less stuff on your truck. 

You just couldn't charge the same price to ship both 100 lb packages!  Soooo, space is deemed to be about 10 lb per cubic foot.  If it weighs more you pay more, if it weighs less, you pay for 10 lbs per cubic foot (it varies by carrier, sometimes 10.4, sometimes 10.6 etc.)

All packages are dimmed by the computer prior to shipping and are dimmed by a laser at the carriers' facility. 

To find the chargeable weight of your package use the following calculations:

FOR METRIC:  length x width x height (in centimeters) divided by 6000. answer is in kilograms

FOR IMPERIAL: length x width x height (in inches) divided by 166. answer is in pounds

So, you can see that it is important to use the right sized box!  If you use a large box and over pack, you will pay by size, not actual weight, what a waste, you pay more while shipping the same item! 

(Maybe those free boxes from the grocery store aren't really free!)

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