10 questions you should ask yourself before hiring your next trucking company.

Choosing a truckload services company to move your shipments a short distance within a city — for example, from a shipping port to a local warehouse—might seem like a no-brainer. But you need to know that drayage providers are not all the same, and picking the best trucking company to move your cargo and shipments from Los Angeles or Long Beach Port across town, to parts of California or across the USA, is about more than which one quotes you the lowest rate. The old saying, “You Get What You Pay For!” is true.

Here are 10 Questions you should ask to ensure you get the most for your money and the hire the best Los Angeles LTL or short-haul trucking company and ensure you don’t end up with a bad experience on your hands.

1. Do they use the latest tracking system technologies? It’s not just about going up and picking up your container, hooking it up and giving some paperwork when a truck driver arrives. You need to be informed every step of the way on, “What’s happening NOW with my cargo? Where is it? Any delays? You need a trucking company that uses the best and latest in technology to safely and quickly track the process of pick-up to storage to delivery.

2. Are they safe? You’ll be hard pressed to find a carrier which doesn’t claim they’re committed to safety, but what you really want is evidence. Ask each carrier if their trucks are properly equipped with anti-collision and rollover prevention devices.

3. What are their CSA’s? While you’re at it, ask them about their Compliance, Safety and Accountability (CSA) metrics, an objective measure of their safety record. In fact, the safest companies will make it easy for you, posting their safety metrics right on their website. If they don’t, or if they give you a runaround, that’s a red flag.

4. Are deliveries made on time? This is important. When deliveries are late, that doesn’t just reflect poorly on the trucking company—it’s also a black eye for your business. Ask carriers about their on-time delivery history.

5. Do they have the capability to do the job right? Some trucking companies will take on more shipments than they can handle. Some will take on the work assignments without having, in some cases, the proper trucks or equipment at their yard to handle the loads. Make sure the one you choose has the capacity to handle yours.

6. How responsive and available are they? The best partnerships are those with robust, two-way communication. You’ll need to have your calls returned and your questions answered, whether these are about the status of your shipment or the confirmation of a work order receipt. Are they responsive before you hire them? If they’re not, look for someone who is.

7. Will they give you the data you need in a timely manner? You need to know if your shipment is being tracked and traced, and when it arrives. Shipments which are not picked up on time could cost you storage fees. Make sure your carrier will be able to provide you with these and other data you need.

8. Will they keep you updated on billing changes? There are always going to be unforeseen circumstances, such as wait-times, which change the original quote, but a good carrier will notify of these immediately so you’re not surprised when you see the invoice.

9. Is your carrier informed and on top-of- things? An informed carrier can save you money. Knowing ahead of time about inclement weather conditions or an impending dock strike is important. An informed carrier is one who can spot trouble before it happens and make the necessary adjustments to keep things running smoothly and efficiently.

When it comes to picking the best carrier for your drayage shipments, you don’t have to settle. You don’t have to sacrifice safety, smart logistics and commitment to customer service to get the best cost. You just need to do your homework.

10. Are they experienced enough? It’s okay to hire a local driver to pick up cargo and deliver it locally. However, a lot of solo and local companies do not have much experience with long-haul operations across state lines or across the country. It takes a lot of know-how, administrative back-up and staff to handle long-haul jobs safely.

In conclusion, just make sure you are not only informed about who is picking up your cargo but what is behind them in terms of operations, insurance, experience and technology.

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