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Unfortunately, damaged deliveries are not uncommon these days. Even if the goods are supposedly securely packaged, transport damage cannot always be avoided. Damaged products are not only annoying for your customers, but also for you as the shipper, and in this article you can find out what types of transport damage there are and how to avoid them.
The case is clear. Transportation costs are the costs incurred when, for example, a pallet is transported from A to B. However, transportation costs are not only the costs incurred for transporting the goods.
Let's imagine that the delivered goods arrive defective at the customer's premises. This has a direct impact on the transportation costs, as the damage is directly attributable to the transportation. You will find out why this is the case a little later in this paragraph. Damage to transported goods includes torn packages, broken goods and frozen goods that have thawed during transportation. All good reasons that can turn a happy customer into a dissatisfied customer. What happens? The goods are returned. Usually at the expense of the shipper and at the expense of the transportation costs, as the goods were inadequately packaged. In the best case scenario, the customer orders the goods again and hopes that this time the goods will arrive in good condition and without defects. At worst, the customer will not order from you again. If you have defined a Customer Lifetime Value, you know yourself how much is potentially lost as a result.
In addition to transportation costs, there are also so-called "hidden costs". These are costs that are incurred for internal expenses. These include setting up and coordinating internal processes, contact with contractual partners and suppliers, processing customer inquiries and much more. The exact recording of these hidden costs is time-consuming, as they are often not so easy to quantify. Nevertheless, it is advisable to deal with them and to know them as well as possible. For example, by means of a full cost calculation and the allocation of costs according to apportionment rates.
In logistics, there are two different types of transport damage:
- Obvious, visible transport damage
- Hidden transport damage
Obvious or visible transport damage is damage that is directly visible upon delivery. For example, a tear or hole in the parcel, a defective pallet or a damaged pallet frame. The damage is obvious and can be recognized directly and with the naked eye.
Hidden transport damage is when the delivery appears undamaged on the outside but the contents are damaged. This may not be directly visible, but only really recognizable once the delivered contents have been put into operation.
Every year, transport damage costs millions in Switzerland alone. But who is liable for damaged deliveries - the retailer, the customer or the transport company?
According to the Swiss Code of Obligations or the SPEDLOGSWISS General Terms and Conditions, the respective transport company bears the costs (albeit limited to 8.33 SDR (Special Drawing Right), which currently corresponds to only approx. CHF 10 per kg gross weight of the affected part of the consignment) for the damage. Exception: The goods are inadequately packaged - in this case the sender is liable, i.e. usually you as the shipper.
The correct procedure for damaged deliveries by the recipient is also important. Obvious transport damage must be reported to the sender AND transport service provider immediately upon delivery and a description of the damage must be noted on the delivery documents. Hidden transport damage that is not externally visible must be reported by the recipient within a maximum period of seven days after delivery. It is therefore also up to the recipient whether you or the company delivering the goods end up bearing the damage costs.
Good to know: Delayed deliveries, incomplete goods or deliveries to the wrong address do not constitute transportation damage! Any costs incurred for late or incomplete transportation are therefore generally borne by you as the seller and not by the carrier.
Despite well-packaged and secured goods, products are often damaged during delivery, resulting in double transportation costs. Especially in times when online shopping is booming and billions of orders are processed over the Internet every day, you as a retailer are dependent on a reliable transport partner.
Working with an external transport service provider such as SpediFux is the ideal solution for reliable delivery and reducing costs in the transport business. SpediFux is THE digital booking platform for transports in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, specializing in transports ranging from cartons to complete trucks.
Transport bookings with SpediFux are made conveniently online via the SpediFux website(www.spedifux.ch) . All you have to do is register once on Spedifux.ch, of course with absolutely no obligation. You can then enter and order your shipments in your personal dashboard, upload delivery documents, monitor your shipments via live shipment tracking, and you can view the proof of delivery in your dashboard immediately after delivery.
Did you know:SpediFux stands for sustainability, we guarantee climate-friendly transportation with CO2 compensation. In our own SpediFux GreenScore app, you can view the CO2 savings of your transports with SpediFux. A perfect solution if you also want to reduce your CO2 footprint!
With the price calculator on the SpediFux website, you can calculate the cost of transportation digitally within seconds before placing an order - which is also ideal for calculation purposes for inquiries. By entering the required data, you will know how much your transport will cost after just a few clicks. Thanks to the transparent price overview, you can immediately see the price for the delivery of your goods with SpediFux and no additional costs (fuel surcharges etc.) will be charged afterwards. Then all you have to do is submit the transport order in the dashboard with a click - done! That's how easy and smart transportation is today.
By the way: Do you need help with registration or do you have questions about SpediFux? Take a look at our explanatory video about SpediFux. Of course you can also contact us personally on our toll-free number 0800 33 00 33 or by e-mail kundendienst@spedifux.ch. We look forward to hearing from you!
SpediFux is the smart digital transport company for Switzerland & Liechtenstein. Freight forwarding, whether it's boxes, general cargo, or pallets. Easy to use, reliable processing, guaranteed price.
