Shipping Cost & Policy: What You Need to Know
Manhole Covers Direct is a leading provider of high-quality manhole covers and frames, replacement covers, and drain grates. If you’re in the market for these essential infrastructure products, it’s crucial to understand the company’s shipping cost and policy. This blog will explore Manhole Covers Direct’s shipping procedures, costs, and key information to help you make informed decisions when ordering.
Standard Processing Time
All orders are processed within 1-3 days after receipt. All orders purchased are MADE TO ORDER and fabricated according to the design selected at purchase.
Standard Fabrication Time
Orders placed directly on the website are typically fabricated within 7-10 business days.
Orders approved and purchased via PandaDoc are typically fabricated within 15 business days unless otherwise specified.
Transit Time
Our products ship from our South Carolina, USA factory. Transit time of standard shipments varies depending on the delivery location, shipping method (parcel or LTL), and other carrier-related variables. Typically, orders shipped to the East Coast will take 1-3 days to arrive once shipped. Orders to the central and western USA may typically take between 3-14 business days.
Expedited shipping options are available upon request.
What Are Some Variables That May Cause Delay?
- Orders are not shipped or delivered on weekends or holidays.
- Shipments may be delayed if we are experiencing a high volume of orders.
- Orders requiring the acquisition of special material may experience extended fabrication time.
- Transit times may be delayed due to Holiday closings or carrier backlog.
- Transit times may be delayed due to inclement weather.
Shipment Confirmation and Tracking
To keep you informed about your order’s status, Manhole Covers Direct provides tracking information once your order ships. Tracking numbers will be active within 24 hours of shipment departure, which allows you to monitor the progress of your delivery.
You can check the status of your order at any time by searching your order number on the status page or emailing us at sales@manholecoversdirect.com.
Shipping Cost
Manhole Covers Direct offers various shipping options to cater to your needs.
The cost of shipping depends on several factors:
Order Size: Typically, high-quantity orders may incur higher shipping costs due to the weight and size of the shipment.
Weight: Heavier items may have higher shipping costs than lighter items.
Delivery Location: Manhole Covers Direct ships nationwide within the USA from our South Carolina Factory. Shipping costs and transit times vary based on your location.
Shipping Methods
Parcel:
Shipments weighing under 100 lbs ship UPS Parcel.
LTL Freight:
Shipments weighing over 100 lbs ship LTL Freight.
PO Box addresses are not acceptable for LTL shipments.
All residential and non-commercial deliveries require a delivery appointment and a signature receipt. Shipments cannot be unloaded without a receiver present to sign for the delivery.
Expedited Shipping Options
Expedited shipping options are available upon request. Shipping expedite fees are separate and unrelated to fabrication expedite fees.
Parcel:
Parcel expedite options include 3-day, 2-day, or next-day air.
LTL Freight:
LTL Freight expedited transit times depend on your location. Guaranteed expedite times vary with 1-5 business days available for most of the contingent USA.
Special Services:
Special expedited courier services are available upon request.
Delivery Appointments
Delivery appointments are not available for parcel delivery.
Deliveries to any of the following locations require a delivery appointment and/or lift gate: Residential, non-commercial, airport, construction site, trade show, military base, government facility, farm, hotel, school, prison, or any location that may require a small trailer for access.
LTL Freight deliveries cannot be delivered at a specific time or place unless you request a delivery appointment. A 24-hour call ahead can be arranged by request. If you have specific receiving hours, you must request a 24-hour call ahead and arrange a delivery appointment with the local dispatch clerk.
Lift Gates
Lift Gates are available for LTL deliveries. If you do not have an easy off-load solution, such as a forklift or loading dock, you MUST select the addition of a Lift Gate. This allows the freight to be lowered to ground level and typically assigns your freight delivery to a smaller trailer that can easily navigate residential or non-commercial delivery locations. Any LTL freight deliveries to a residential address, construction zone, or non-commercial delivery location should select the Freight with lift gate delivery option.
If a Lift Gate is not selected for your delivery and the truck cannot access your location, the carrier will return your shipment to the terminal dock to be reassigned, and a fee may be charged.
International Shipping
We currently do not ship outside of the US. Upon request, we can package shipments for export and can ship to any major US port. All international transit is the responsibility of the customer.
Failed Delivery Attempts
Failed delivery attempts may incur holding or re-delivery fees.
If a Lift Gate is required to unload and the service was not added at the time of purchase, the delivery may be returned to the terminal dock to be reassigned to a smaller truck with a Lift Gate. This will incur additional charges to the customer and will cause a delay in delivery.
If a delivery appointment is missed, the delivery will be returned to the terminal dock to await a new delivery appointment. It is the customer’s responsibility to connect with the local dispatch clerk to reschedule the delivery. Missed appointments may incur additional charges to the customer and will cause delays in delivery. Significant delays will incur holding fees.
Delivery Address Changes and Shipment Redirects
If your order has not yet shipped:
It is the customer’s responsibility to provide current, complete, and accurate shipping information at the time of purchase and to ensure the address provided can accept delivery. If your shipping information is incomplete or incorrect, it is the responsibility of the customer to correct any inaccurate information immediately after purchase.
If your order has already shipped:
If, for any reason, the shipping address provided at the time of purchase is incorrect or has changed after the order has shipped from our factory, a redirect may be required. Any changes to a delivery address will require change fees and must go through a multi-step approval process. Any shipment redirect will always create delays in delivery.
Inaccessible delivery:
If, after multiple delivery attempts or failure to correct an address, the shipper is not able to complete the delivery, your shipment may be deemed undeliverable.
If a shipping solution cannot be found and holding fees become charged, the goods will be returned to the factory. The holding fee and return charge must be paid to Manhole Covers Direct before the order can be released for a new shipment. In addition, new shipping charges must also be paid, or the customer will need to arrange for pickup.
Damages
Manhole Covers Direct is not liable for any products damaged or lost during shipping. If your order arrives to you damaged, please REFUSE the delivery. If you accept a damaged item, you will be responsible for filing any claim with the carrier. Please photograph, document, and save all packaging material and damaged goods before filing a claim.
Customer Support
If you have any questions or concerns about shipping or your order, don’t hesitate to contact Manhole Covers Direct’s customer support team. They can provide clarification and assistance.
Manhole Covers Direct is dedicated to delivering high-quality products to customers across the United States. By understanding the shipping cost structure and policy, you can make well-informed decisions when purchasing manhole covers, frames, and drain grates. Click here to review more information on our shipping policy, or reach out to customer support if you have any specific inquiries.
