5 Alarming Signs Telling you to Change your Freight Forwarder | LOTUS Containers

A freight forwarder is known to be the most pivotal person/company to carry forward our shipping operations. Whether it is packaging, arranging documents, negotiating rates from carriers or booking vessel- they deal with the gamut of things. A day without a freight forwarder in the shipping industry is not less than a doom day. You do not just hand them your valuable consignment but also your immense faith that they will transfer your goods without causing any damage or loss. A business in need of constant transportation of goods keeps a long relationship with its freight forwarder. But time also comes when changing your freight forwarder becomes vital and also it can feel like a hassle, especially when you’ve built up a good relationship with your forwarder over a number of years.  

But what gives us a sense that there is a great call for switching your FF (freight forwarder)?

Incessant Service failure If you aren’t experiencing a safe and protected shipping experience with your freight forwarder, it’s high time that you shouldn’t, but you ‘must’ switch your freight forwarder. As shipping itself is a complex process that may be impacted by numerous unforeseeable events like a bad climatic condition in the sea, tsunami, cyclone, war, accident, theft, robbery, or it could be anything. You may have watched the news that shows how thousands of shipping containers sink and drown causing millions of losses to the shippers. Suffering through this once or twice is understood but if your forwarder fails to deliver promised service from time to time, it’s a clear sign that you ought to hire another freight forwarding company, a much reliable and efficient in providing its services. 

Not installing new technologies Every customer expects that the freight forwarding company he is partnering with should avail them with a quality service. Quality in service can only be achieved if that company has well-equipped technologies to assist shipping operations. It’s no doubt to say that up to what extent, technologies can simplify a complex task. Installing cutting-edge technologies helps FF to deliver the best possible services to their client. Well equipped technologies offer online communications, readily available price quotations, e-PODs, and billing, real-time tracking of shipment, etc. If yours doesn’t then you’re missing out on useful tools and your client may soon switch to a new company. 

Changing Businesses Every business change or expand with time. Changing the business may also incorporate changing functions, requirements, and operations. A freight forwarder who was deliberately serving you for your previous business will not necessarily be able to serve you for the new business module as well. This is because not every FF deals with a complete set of services. If the freight forwarding company can no longer meet your needs, it’s high time that you should start searching for a new partner who would be able to meet up with all of your expectations and business needs. 

Not only your company changes, but FF businesses can also change, let’s say a global firm acquiring some smaller firms or your company may merge with other companies. In such a case, their policy and plans may be renewed not necessarily catering to your previous needs. 

A constant rise in freight rates Rising freight rates at some interval of time, let’s say in a year or two years is common. But if your freight comes up with increased price every time, you ought to question them. Shipping itself is rapidly a fluctuating market, with new technologies, consolidated companies, and financial and economic factors. With increasing demand and inflation, it’s obvious that price goes high not only in the shipping industry but in general also. Prices may also spike due to other reasons such as- increasing fuel price, Bunker surcharge, high season, etc. but these happen once in a while. A constant rise in freight rates may cause you to pay over the odds and hence you must go ahead to find other company’s rates and then hire one who offers services at an optimum rate. 

Poor Customer Service A business needs to understand that good customer experience can skyrocket the company and bad customer experience can collapse it. The experience that you gain as a customer after using product and service means a lot. As a customer, you should expect your freight partner to be knowledgeable, active, helpful, and efficient. More of these, they should have a reliable customer support service actively responding to customer queries and issues in minimum given time. 

Lack of Communication Good communication between you and your FF Company implies that the company is transparent in its service and isn’t hiding any information from you. It’s very important that your freight forwarder gives you every-step information- from loading your goods into shipping containers, arranging intermodal transportation to its final delivery. When dealing with sensitive shipments like pharmaceuticals, it becomes imperative that the forwarder should provide up-to-date information and respond in-time to your queries. A lack of communication can mess up planning and plotting. It is not that communication is required only after you’ve held them your consignment but also when you are in the process of hiring them for your shipment. Whether you have a concern or a query regarding your present of future shipment, smooth communication with your FF calls for a great need.

Poor Financial Position It’s significant to know and analyze the financial standings of your freight forwarder. If you do not find a good financial position of your freight forwarder, then the stress of it all may lead to a sudden increased demand for payment or it may cause shorten credit terms. In a few scenarios, it may cause high employee turnover, and then it could hinder the consistency of your cargo movement and may ruin your relationship with your exporting company. Their poor financial lacking can totally hinder your shipment. 

Conclusion 

Therefore you need to be very cautious and alert while dealing with the FF party. You never know what a small decision may bring in to your company. If you’re finding yourself at any of the above positions, its high time you ought to switch to a more reliable and highly efficient freight forwarding company and container supplier company like LOTUS Containers. Storing customer contentment and happiness for more than a decade we ensure that our customers experience the best shipping service ever.