Rebills are often an unpleasant surprise, and while they can happen for a variety of reasons they can easily be avoided. In this article we’ll discuss the more common reasons some shippers incur additional charges and how you can prevent them.
What are rebills?
Rebills happen when information entered to book a shipment was inaccurate, resulting in an additional charge. Examples of this include incorrect weight, incorrect dimensions, or the unexpected need for a liftgate at pick-up or delivery. Some rebills for long-haul LTL shipments with a partner carriers happen at the retail rate, which can sometimes result in a doubling of the original rate had the shipment details been entered accurately from the start.
Throw it on a scale!
Each time a shipment reaches a terminal, our carrier partners re-weigh your freight. This is because trucks can carry a limited amount of weight by state and federal law, and inaccurate weights can also affect pre-planned pickups of freight along each route.
Make sure to weigh your freight and include everything from the pallet itself to the pallet wrap around the boxes. It’s always safest to weigh twice and pay once. Never estimate your freight’s weight, and we suggest using a NTEP certified commercial scale to be exact. Even when using a commercial scale, it is important to make sure it is properly calibrated to provide the most accurate weight calculation.
Get out your measuring tape
At each terminal, carriers also re-measure your freight to ensure that they will have enough space on any given truck to fulfill your delivery and facilitate other pickups along the way. It’s important to remember a standard pallet is typically 48x40x60 inches — anything exceeding this height, width, or length may be considered two pallet spaces.
At Mothership we always recommend using a measuring tape to accurately record pallet dimensions. We also suggest avoiding online dimension calculators and to measure your freight by hand after it’s stacked and wrapped on the pallet. Here’s a review of the top five tape measures…just in case you need a more measured approach to purchasing 😉
Don’t forget the particulars
Some carriers seek out opportunities to charge extra for additional services that often get overlooked, so make sure you come prepared before you book your shipment. For example, if shipments are headed to residences or smaller businesses without loading docks, liftgates are often needed to move the freight on and off the truck. If your pick-up or drop-off locations require liftgates or are residences, make sure to select this option at checkout. If you can’t get a hold of either location to clarify, observing the locations via Google Street View can be a great alternative.
Ship Right and Avoid Rebills
Mothership’s easy-to-use platform removes some margin of error when it comes to rebills. When you accurately enter your dimensions and weight per item, Mothership will automatically calculate your freight class, eliminating a few common mistakes shippers face. In addition, Mothership makes adding services like liftgate or appointment times as simple as a few clicks.
Don’t get wrapped up in rebills. Follow the tips in this article and you’ll save time and money when it comes to shipping your freight. Ship with Mothership today to enjoy instant quoting, digital documentation and real-time tracking.
