Shipping Policy
It is the customer’s responsibility to be available at the time of delivery to check all quantities of packages and inspect for damaged or missing packages. Failure to be available could result in storage fees from the trucking company. We inform the shipper of residential deliveries, and they will call you from the local terminal to arrange for delivery. We cannot guarantee any particular day or time of delivery. It is up to each trucking company. Shortages and damages must be reported immediately on the bill of lading, in writing, when you are asked to sign for the delivery. We ship proper quantities in good condition. The carrier is responsible for the delivery. You or your representative must be present at time of delivery. Make sure that anyone assisting you is familiar with this policy. When they sign for you, they assume the responsibility that these procedures have been followed.
The customer or representative of the customer must be present to help unload the truck. Large shipments may be delivered on pallets. These pallets can be ‘broken down’ for hand unloading for those who do not have forklift capabilities. Residential deliveries would require hand unloading and the customer is responsible for that. The delivery driver may assist, but is only required to get the load to his tail gate for unloading by you. This applies to common carrier deliveries, not UPS or other special service small package delivery companies. Lift gate services are available in some locations. There is an extra charge for that of about $100.00 and must be requested at the time of order. With lift gate services, pallets will be lowered to the ground by the driver, so you do not have to unload it in pieces. Delivery is to your driveway or closest place the driver can get his truck. He will not move packages to your garage or back yard.
We deliver by UPS, Fed. Ex., U.S. Mail or Airborne Express, at our discretion, unless you request otherwise. Packages that are too large for these carriers must be shipped by other carriers.
Expected arrival time for packages that are sold as expedited small package delivery via UPS or other carriers are one day plus the special delivery time, i.e. 2nd day delivery will take a minimum of 1 day plus 2 days. We need one full day to process and package all orders.
Most fence systems, like chain link, aluminum, and vinyl fences, require 3-5 weeks for delivery depending on the time of the year. Orders taken after 2:00 pm eastern time are considered to have been ordered the following business day. Weekends are excluded from all delivery calculations. Example: An order expected to ship in 5 days taken at 4:00 pm on Friday will not likely ship until two Mondays from that day. All gates 6′ and over are special order, except those marked otherwise. They can require up to 6 weeks for fabrication.
Damage discovered after delivery must be reported directly to the delivery carrier immediately. The delivery carrier will want to inspect packages, goods and all shipping containers before a claim can be made. After inspection a claim must be filed, which includes the following documents:
Original bill of lading * Copy of paid freight bill * Original invoice * Repair or replacement invoice * Inspection report * Packing list
Make all claims promptly. Most carriers will not consider claims after 9 months from the date of delivery. Do not deduct losses from your National Metal Industries invoice, while awaiting adjustment of the claim, as we cannot be responsible for safe delivery. Shortages and damage must be reported to us within 15 days of delivery. After 15 days, we assume all goods have been delivered in full and in good condition. Replacement of missing or damaged items will be charged at time of order to your account and any claim for damages will be paid directly to you by the shipping company.
Do not return goods to National Metal Industries without first securing written permission from us and a return number. We will not accept returns without a return number. Do not instruct the carrier to return shipments when they arrive or you will be subject to a 15% restocking fee plus actual freight charges, even if those charges were included in the original purchase agreement. Authorized returns that are due to no error on our part will not be credited back to the actual freight charge to you. National Metal Industries does not pay the return freight on any return that is not due to an error on our part. Some items are not returnable.
National Metal Industries will assist you in any way possible to collect loss or damage claims from the carrier. We are not responsible for filing claims, cost of replacement materials or the freight charges for shipping of replacement parts or materials.
International Order Disclaimer: We will contact you with shipping charges for your order(s) or quote(s). Quoted charges do not include any taxes, duties, tariffs, or other applicable charges or fees. All charges are in US Dollars. It is the customer’s responsibility to understand any and all fees that they may incur at delivery.
Shipping Expense Disclaimer: All orders are subject to confirmation. Additional shipping expenses, although rare, may apply due to weight, size, location, and/or other variables. Should your order require additional funds to cover the transportation of goods, you will be contacted prior to order processing for approval.
WAREHOUSE PICK-UP POLICY
Customers may place their order and pick-up at our warehouse, if they specify upon order and adhere to our “Warehouse Pick-Up Policy”. Customer and customer’s representative/carrier agree to abide by our Warehouse Pick-Up Policy as follows:
Order Preparation: Orders placed for Store/Warehouse Pick-Up are not packaged for shipping by common carrier, ocean freight, or small parcel shipping. Items are prepared for customer pick-up “loose” meaning there may be no boxes, strapping, shrink wrapping, or other packing whatsoever. If any exists, it will be provided solely at our convenience only.
Equipment: National Metal Industries is equipped with proper material handling equipment such as tow motors and a loading dock for most loading applications. We expect customers to come prepared with appropriate vehicles, trailers, and strapping supplies to pick up orders. Failure to do so may result in shipment delays and storage fees being assessed. Further, driver’s must be knowledgeable with proper strapping techniques and tie down applications. We do not assist with strapping down trucks, or tarping loads, etc.. We accept no responsibility or liability from failure to strap down loads properly or incorrectly loaded vehicles. Please do not show up in a Volkswagen Beetle and ask us to load a 30′ long gate on the top of it! Further, we will not assist with strapping 21′ chain link top rail to the underside of your pick-up, or side mirror! Please be aware of what you are picking up and if in doubt, ask us – we’re glad to assist with estimated and actual weights and sizes!
If your order requires materials to be prepped for small parcel carrier, such as UPS, FedEx, USPS, please specify upon order. Additional fees may apply. If your order requires materials to be packaged for Common Carrier shipment (your carrier) such as FedEx Freight, ABF, or other semi-truck carrier, please specify upon order. Additional fees may apply. If your order requires materials to be packaged for Ocean Freight by container, barge, or air, please specify upon order. Additional fees may apply.
Additional fees may apply to cover shipping and packing supplies, palletizing shipment, especially kiln-dried wood required for shipments overseas, labor, and so forth. Since shipment specifications vary significantly, please discuss your packaging requirements with our sales staff prior to placing your order.
Bill of Lading: The customer must supply their own Bill of Lading if hiring their own carrier. Failure to do may result in a shipment delay and storage fees being assessed. National Metal Industries may on occasion by request handle preparation of a Bill of Lading for customer’s carrier and request pick-up of order, however additional service fees may apply.
Shortages and/or Damages: We pack proper materials, correctly counted, in good condition. Shortages and/or damages must be reported immediately upon pick-up, prior to leaving our facility. Absolutely no shortages/ damages may be claimed after pick-up. If customer sends his/her own carrier to pick-up materials, be sure they too are aware of this policy. If materials are damaged in transit by customer’s hired carrier, it is the customer’s responsibility to file a claim directly with their respective hired carrier.
Storage Fees: It is the customer’s responsibility to be available to pick-up materials ordered “Store/ Warehouse Pick-Up” within 7 business days of being notified order is complete for pick-up. Failure to pick-up materials by the 7th business day will result in storage fees being charged at $12.50 per day starting on the 8th business day.