Unloading Instructions

Unloading Product

UPS Ground deliveries do not require a signature at the time of delivery and will be left at the location if no person is present, unless otherwise requested.

Business freight deliveries or freight deliveries that are dock to dock, require the receiving party to remove the product from the truck via a loading dock or with a forklift.

For residential (or non-dock) deliveries the freight company is required to move the material to the tailgate of the truck. The receiving party is required to unload the material by hand placing the product on the ground.

Inspecting for Damage

Be sure to check all material and packages for any potential damage during transit. It is the sole responsibility of the receiving party to fully inspect the product at the time of delivery for any potential damage. Advantage Lumber, LLC is not responsible for damaged products due to shipping. We recommend removing any protective wrapping to fully inspect the product, before the driver leaves. In addition, please count the product before signing the Delivery Receipt. Once the Delivery Receipt is signed with no exceptions noted, the trucking company has not further responsibilities and will not honor claims if the Delivery Receipt is not noted with the issue. Products that have not been delivered should be signed for as “short”; products that are delivered damaged should be signed for as “damaged”.

If the product is damaged in any way, call your Advantage Lumber, LLC sales representative immediately. This call will need to be made prior to unloading the material. Your sales representative will give you further instruction as to what should be done with the material.

If damage did occur during transit, any and all damage must be noted on the Delivery Receipt in detail and signed by the driver. A copy of the Delivery Receipt will need to be faxed, emailed or mailed to Advantage Lumber, LLC in order for a damage claim to be filed with the trucking company, on our customer’s behalf, in order for replacement product to be sent to the customer.

Please photograph the damaged product on the truck as that will assist with a product damage claim. Damaged product will be shipped back to Advantage Lumber, LLC The shipping company has the right to inspect and/or claim the product if a damage claim is filed and/or paid by. All claims must be submitted within 72 hours of delivery via email and telephone contact, along with the photos and the list of material claimed to be damaged or defective.

Lift Gate and Inside Delivery Options

Lift gate delivery service is available at an additional cost over and above standard dock-to-dock or hand unload services. Lift gates can only be used on material that is four foot or under. This does not include any inside-of-home or garage delivery, or moving the freight pallet away from the tail of the truck.

Additional Accessorial Charges

Any and all additional charges not previously paid, or provided at the time of order, such as inside delivery, change of address, limited access, re-delivery and storage fees will be the sole responsibility of the customer unless stated in the customer order as part of the shipping costs pre-paid by the customer at the time of order.

Limited Access Issues

Deliverability is at the discretion of the freight carrier. If the freight carrier determines that it cannot deliver the material to the delivery (shipping) address, it is the responsibility of the customer to pick up the material at the freight carrier terminal, unless other arrangements can be made.

Most freight deliveries will arrive in a full size 48–53 foot tractor trailer semi-truck, (such as long haul trucks you might see on the freeway system). It is the customer's responsibility to notify Advantage Lumber, LLC at the time of order, if your delivery location has potential limited access issues, such as a truck being unable to reach your location. Some of these issues maybe be but are not limited to turn around in your area, low power lines or tree limbs, weight and size limitations. Accessorial services are not guaranteed. Any and all re-delivery or storage charges incurred will be billed back to the customer if delivery is attempted and cannot be completed because of unknown limited access issues.

Delivery Refusal

If the customer refuses delivery for reasons other than those agreed to in writing within the order document, the customer will be responsible for all initial shipping and re-delivery and or return shipping charges. It is important to note that freight deliveries are always curbside. Curbside means next to the curb on the street. Drivers are not obligated to deliver freight into driveways or garages. Inside delivery is not available.

Packing Material and Dunnage

The receiving party is responsible for disposing of all packing material or dunnage, including but not limited to pallets, crating, banding, bubble wrap, cardboard, paper, and shrink wrap. The receiving party is not to load any packing material or dunnage back onto the shipping carrier’s vehicle or trailer. This stipulation does not apply if delivery is refused.