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When choosing the best method of inventory transportation, ground shipping often comes to mind. However, this method of inventory relocation has its downsides, just like any other. If you plan to move your home or your company’s inventory to another location, you should be aware of the potential obstacles during this process. Here are some of the most common delays with ground transport you should know about.
Reasons for choosing to ship by land
When planning the transportation of your property, there will be many factors to consider. Depending on your needs and your moving timeline, ground transportation has its downsides and upsides. On the one hand, ground transport is one of the safest ways of moving large and bulky inventory. However, if you need to relocate your belongings last-minute and are in a hurry to do so, it’s far from the best option.
Ground transportation is the most common way of shipping inventory, especially when it’s short-distance transportation. However, there are many common delays with ground transport you should be aware of. Traffic jams, weather conditions, and road closures are just some of the delays with ground transport.
Even though it might not be the fastest way of moving your inventory to another location, there are some benefits of choosing to ship by land. If you have to move bulky furniture, hazardous materials, large construction inventory or equipment, this might be the best shipping method. In case you want to move your home to another state, your international furniture movers might also recommend ground transportation. Also, transportation via land is the cheapest way to move any sort of inventory.
In the end, your needs and the nature of your move should affect your final decision. Before you prepare for your relocation or the shipping process, take a look at the most common delays with ground transport.
What are the common delays with ground transport?
Even after hiring the best international moving company, you can find, not every aspect of transportation will be in their hands. There are some circumstances that even the best moving companies can’t predict. Here are some common delays with ground transport you should be aware of:
- Traffic jams. If your inventory is being shipped through a crowded city, traffic jams could be a potential cause of delays.
- Road closures. During the long-distance moves, some roads can close, forcing the truck driver to change the route last-minute.
- Logistics problems. If your inventory is traveling from one warehouse to another, this process might be the cause of delays with ground transport.
- The loading process of other inventories. Picking up and loading multiple inventories can take more time than expected.
- Truck driver’s shift change. Long-distance moves often require switching truck drivers.
- Various disputes with movers. Bad communication with your movers can also be the cause of moving delays.
Traffic jams and road closures
Some of the least predictable delays with ground transport are traffic jams and road closures. Whether the traffic jam is on the country border or insider the big city, there is not much your moving company can do. More often than not, truck drivers need to stay on the same path despite the traffic jam they got in the middle of.
Whether conditions
Heavy snow or rain storms are some of the most common delays with ground transport. Until weather conditions improve, the moving company you hire might need to put your inventory on hold. If you are moving during bad weather, you should let your movers help plan this process. Land shipping has its downsides, and being dependable on the weather is one of them.
Loading of other inventories
When shipping long-distance, moving companies often plan to pick up a few inventories at a time. Loading items on various addresses can be the cause of shipping delays. However, if you hire door-to-door international movers, they will probably let you know if your shipment is not the only one on their moving truck. Joined shipments take time to load, but this method of moving is the most effective.
Truck driver’s shift changes
In case you need to ship your belongings from one coast to another, it’s likely that there will be more than one truck driver. Moving companies often have resting stops planned in advance so their drivers can rest or finish their shifts.
How to choose the best way of inventory transportation?
Although there are some downsides to ground transportation, it is one of the cheapest ways to move. Compared to air transportation and shipping by sea, the overall costs and fees are much lower.
If you need to transport your inventory last-minute, or your package is of high value, you might choose air freight instead. On the other hand, large shipments like the ones in the retail business are commonly shipped by sea.
Secure your inventory before shipping
No matter which method of shipping you choose, your inventory’s safety should come first. In case you choose ground transport, you should consider hiring a professional moving company to handle this process from beginning to end. A good moving company will also provide international moving insurance for all of your belongings. In case anything happens to your shipment, the insurance will allow you to cover the cost of damage.
Although there are some common delays with ground transport, most of them don’t happen very often. If you choose a moving company with experience, land transportation might be the most efficient way to move your inventory. No matter which method of shipping you choose, planning this process will require professional assistance. With this in mind, consider consulting a recommended moving company near your home to find out more about the ground transportation process.