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Shipping Florida Foliage
With the available systems of several specialized carriers, a wide
variety of Florida foliage plants are easily shipped to most areas of
the contiguous forty-eight states. The truck lines will pick up plants
at nurseries in any of the foliage-producing areas of the state on days
specified for certain destination areas. These shipments are combined by
the truck lines in their terminals and reloaded on outbound
temperature-controlled trailers, normally within twenty-four hours after
pick up. Using these systems we can select many different types of
plants from the best growers of each type.
When a delivery arrives, usually within two to five days after pick up,
the customer is responsible for accounting for all the pieces listed on
the freight bill, or for noting shortages or damage when signing the
waybill. Because the trucks return to Florida with cargo other than
plants it is not possible to send damaged or otherwise unsatisfactory
plants back to the nurseries. Instead, any shortage or damage should be
reported to the truck line, and any other discrepancies reported to
Charlie Cook Associates
for adjustment. See our Claims Policy for
more information. Freight charges are typically collected on delivery, but
established companies may apply for credit terms with some carriers.
Because deliveries are made in large tractor-trailers (also called
“18-wheelers” or “Semi’s”), delivery points must be accessible to these
large trucks, with space to maneuver. The drivers are responsible for
delivering the plants to the rear of the trailer. Customers must provide
labor to move them from the trailer into their facility. For more
information, please read our document on “Receiving a Shipment.”
(PDF)
Other carriers offer shipping service without “pooling” orders in a
terminal. They often have less expensive rates and can be effective for
orders requiring few pickups.
Plants in 6” pots and smaller, as well as most hanging baskets, usually
must be boxed. Larger sizes may be shipped in paper or woven sleeves,
but consideration must be given to the risk of physical or “mechanical”
damage. For example, large plants with easily damaged leaves, such as
Dieffenbachia, should be boxed.
We will be happy to help you select an appropriate carrier based on your
needs and location.
Claims Policy:
We make every effort to correctly
describe the products we offer. Significant discrepancies in the
variety, size or quality of plants are the responsibility of Charlie
Cook Associates. All claims should be submitted by telephone, fax or
e-mail within 24 hours of receipt of shipments. We may require
photographs clearly illustrating the discrepancy for evaluation and to
share with our growers for quality control purposes.
Items that are damaged or lost in transit are the responsibility of the
transportation company. Plants missing or damaged on arrival should be
noted when signing freight bills, and claims should be initiated
immediately with the transportation company, according to its
requirements. We will be happy to assist you in filing or documenting
your claim, but cannot file it in your behalf.
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