Beware of Conway Trucking

[Bilster]

I purchased a frame from Everett-Morrison. They sent me my frame via Con-Way Trucking. Brett at Everett-Morrison qouted me about $280 freight. They listed the frame as a Class 100 as they have so many frames before. Con-Way changed the classification to a Class 300 without notice to Everett-Morrison or myself. When the frame arrived there was a charge of $600!! I told the driver that there must have been a mistake and I needed to call Con-Way for some clarification. He said that he could take the frame back but that I would incur some storage fees if I picked up the frame later or additional storage and shipping fees if he had to bring it back. I begrudgingly paid the $600. I then called Con-Way and they said it was in their right to change the class if they saw fit. Everett-Morrison confirmed the information Con-Way had given me.

[newBDR]

I'd beware of EM too then. They could have told you that up front.

[Bilster]

It's difficult to know who to blame. E-M missed the boat on their shipping estimation, for sure. But here is their reply:

Bill-

I'll see if I can do anything on our end, but it's doubtful. We have not had this happen with Conway before, (we did have it happen with Consolidated) but nonetheless, I'm not surprised. They do reserve the right to reclassify freight any time they want. And there are so many guidelines which classify freight in overlapping ways that they can always pull some new rule out of the book and say this is what it should be. Having observed this over the years, I really think what happens is that when business gets slow, they send their sales people out to book new accounts at very favorable freight classifications. Then a couple of years go by, business picks up, and they start reclassifying things, perhaps even giving up the "marginal" accounts that they don't make much money on. They were the ones, a few years ago, that said they could ship the frame class 100, and indeed, we have shipped many frames at that class. But there is nothing in writing, and I expect they will now contend that 300 is the required class.

But again, I will make a contact on our end and see if any good comes of it.

Best regards,

Brett

My disappointment comes from the disconnect between Con-Way and the customers. It seems to me that if the customer's part doesn't meet Con-Way's criteria, the should let you know before it leaves Florida, in this case. The first time I was notified of a price change SHOULD NOT have been when the item arrives at my door. I feel like that is poor business practice. I certainly would not use Con-Way ever again.

[dscott]

I've had this same problem with so many trucking companies. I setup the freight and quote the customer whatever the cost is. I try and get them to give me the proper class so I don't encounter the problem. I don't try and make any money on shipping, it's so expensive anyway. I would say 2 out of 4 times they change the class to a higher rate. I've also had problems with the weight I state, it always seems to be too low so they add extra weight. Same items can go out and the trucking companies say the weight is different. I haven't had the heart to charge any customers the extra cost so I just eat it. Make it up in volume as they say!!!
Don
ps. I never find out about any changes until I get the bill from the trucking company.