We always try to deliver your shipments from A to B in the best way possible. However, there are different factors at play that can cause a delay or other complications. This may result in extra costs, as often carriers have to reschedule their planning. We always try our best to keep these costs as limited as possible and to inform you immediately. In this article we will describe the most frequent situations resulting in extra costs. (Please be aware that these are examples and not every situation may be mentioned here)

Misinformation

When creating a booking, it is very important to enter the right information. If it turns out there was a mistake in for example the number of pallets, measurements or weight that can result in extra costs. These costs are a result of the extra space the order might take or the rescheduling of the order with the carrier.

Accessibility surcharge

Quicargo is a business to business (B2B) platform and therefore our standard is to pick-up and deliver with a big truck (14M). If a shipment has to be delivered at a private address instead (B2C) or when the pickup/delivery address has limited access, we have to send a box-truck instead. In that case we will add a boxtruck surcharge, as most carriers have trucks as their standard vehicle and have less boxtrucks available. Also, a box-truck has limited capacity and fits a maximum of 8 loading meters compared to 13,2 loading meters for a trailer.

Time slots

Usually we assume a shipment can be delivered between 8.00-17.00. However, for some shipments a pickup/delivery timeslot is required. In that case, you can select the desired timeslot when booking the order. The tighter the timeslot is, the higher the costs will be as the carrier will have to adjust their planning accordingly.

Waiting costs

For every shipment, there is a standard timeframe for drivers to load/unload the pallets. However, sometimes it might take longer. For example when it is very busy in a warehouse or it turns out there is a reference required. The standard waiting time varies from 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the amount of pallets. When the standard waiting time is exceeded, this will result in a cost of €15 per 15 minutes to compensate the carrier for waiting. Whenever waiting time is reported, you will be informed immediately.

Second loading/delivery attempt

Unfortunately, not every pickup or delivery goes as planned, for example when the recipient is not present. In these kinds of situations, a second loading/delivery attempt has to be scheduled. This results in extra costs. When this is the case, we will always make sure to first try and contact the contact person and/or the shipper to ensure there is no other solution possible. When it is not possible to solve the problem or we cannot reach the responsible person, the carrier is allowed to leave after asking us for permission.

Other situations where a carrier cannot pickup/deliver the goods are: pallets are not ready (yet), the address turns out to be incorrect, the waiting time at a location is too long and the carrier has to leave. To be able to solve these kinds of problems instantly, it is very important that the contact person of the concerning location is available.

For a second loading attempt, extra costs will be 70% of the transport costs. When a carrier cannot unload, the pallets stay in the truck meaning that the carrier cannot load other pallets in that space. Therefore, extra costs can be up to 100% of the transport costs as the carrier has to adapt his planning, return the pallet to a warehouse and deliver again the next day. Extra costs always depend on the circumstances and will be determined per situation. When a carrier cannot unload, you will be informed by us by phone and/or email.  

Return costs

When a carrier cannot unload a shipment, there might be return costs. Carriers can charge return costs when they have to take the pallet back to their warehouse before being able to do a second delivery attempt, or when a shipment is refused and has to be sent back to the loading location. These return costs are covering the extra kilometers they have to drive for the order.