Archive of E-Zine Articles

We are using the tips and techniques discussed here to save our clientele 30% or more at each and every show that they attend. It is my hope that you will be able to put the information in these e-zine articles to immediate and effective use. If at any time the content of an article is unclear please let me know, or if you are having a specific problem please post it to our Trade Show Questions Forum.

Consider Trade Show Exhibit Shipping by Railroad!

Volume 4, Article 1, February 26, 2009

 

 Ship by Rail to save 20-30%

We have been working on a series of articles to help you reduce costs and reduce your hassles at your 2009 trade show venues.  Economic pressures create new challenges around every corner, and we are working to provide suitable solutions.

Fuel costs have split in half since August, but shipping is still a major contributor to the line item costs of your trade show budget.  When trying to reduce the costs of shipping consider Railroad Shipping or Shipping by Rail.

Shipping by rail is 20-30% less expensive than shipping by truck.  This is because once your container is on the rail, it adds almost nothing to the costs of operating the rail.

Here is what you need to know to ship by rail:

Shipping by rail is now seemless.  Containers are driven to your loading dock and your staff or exhibit house loads the container just as they would load the back of a semi.  The container is put on a train and then taken off near its final destination.  The container is then delivered to that warehouse or trade show venue.

Shipping by rail takes 2-5 days longer than shipping by truck.

Rail containers are slightly smaller than semi or 18 wheeler trailers.  Crates may not fit side by side.  There is less length to fit as many crates as in an 18 wheeler.

As with all trade show shipping, make sure that the carrier that you have chosen has trade show experience.  Trade shows require wait times for pick-up and delivery of exhibitor materials.  Some carriers are not familiar with this wait time and thus, not prepared to do the waiting. 

Trade shows also often have targeted delivery and pick-up times.  Many shippers are not familiar with these schedules.  If they miss the schedule, you incur fines of up to 50% on freight handling charges.

If you are not confident about delivery times, use the rail for pick-up after the show, or warehouse to warehouse moves only.  You may also consider shipping most of the way by rail, and then having your favorite carrier deliver the freight to the show itself.  You will incur a charge to re-pack the freight and then move the freight from rail car to show, but this charge will usually be a lot less than the 20-30% that you saved on the rail freight bill.

Questions:  Contact us at 877-294-6806