When you’re waiting for a pallet delivery, it can be frustrating if the goods you receive turn up damaged. For a business, these situations can cause a strain on relationships and be an inconvenience. However, pallet transit damage does happen which can create a situation that is difficult to navigate as a customer. Here’s a guide on what to do if your pallet is damaged during transport.
When Your Delivery Arrives
As soon as your delivery arrives at its destination, it’s important to thoroughly inspect it for damage straightaway; we allow up to 15 minutes for this on every delivery. If you notice any issues then ensure you make a note of the broken pallet on the delivery note, as well as taking photos for evidence. You must also notify the driver on delivery that the goods are damaged during delivery so that they can make the transport company aware. There are two different types of damage that you should be aware of, visible damage and hidden damage.
What is Visible Pallet Damage?
Visible damage refers to incidents such as severe tearing or denting of the package or a broken pallet. When tears or dents occur, the contents of the delivery can often be exposed, out of the package. Visible damage can also happen when a forklift used to transport the package penetrates the box on the pallet.
What Should You Do if You See Visible Damage?
If you find visible damage when your delivery arrives, ensure you record the type of damage on the consignment/delivery notes. An alternative option you have is to refuse the delivery. You must always inform the company that you have bought the goods from immediately, so they are able to rectify the problem.
What is Hidden Pallet Damage?
Hidden damage describes discovered damage to the goods once the package has been opened. This can create a more difficult situation because this is harder to spot initially. For this type of pallet damage, it’s imperative that you take photos and document all issues immediately to send to the company you purchased the goods from. You should aim to do this within 3 days, as any time after this, the delivery company and insurers may be unable to help.
Want to know how you can avoid common mistakes during shipping? We have a handy guide available. Alternatively, If you have any further questions about how to handle pallet delivery situations or would like to find out more about how Cross Country Carriers can help your business, get in touch with our friendly team today. We pride ourselves on our great customer service, with a stellar reputation for being reliable and always going the extra mile.
