Freight vs Parcel: What Happens When a Truck Part Is Delivered
The part of buying a used panel online that nobody explains until it is too late.
The short answer
Most truck body parts are too large for a parcel courier and ship as freight on a pallet by LTL carrier. That means three things that parcel delivery does not: the carrier phones you to book an appointment, the delivery is curbside rather than to your door, and you sign a bill of lading that legally records the condition on arrival. The single most important thing you can do is inspect the part before you sign. A clean signature is the carrier's evidence the shipment arrived intact.
Which ships which way
| Ships freight, on a pallet | Ships parcel |
|---|---|
| Truck beds | Brackets and mounting hardware |
| Front and rear bumpers | Trim pieces |
| Tailgates | Small components |
| Seat sets | Handles and latches |
What freight delivery involves
The carrier calls you
To book a delivery window. If they cannot reach you the shipment waits at the terminal, and storage charges can start. Give a phone number you will actually answer.
It arrives curbside
The driver brings it to the end of your driveway. They do not carry it inside, into a garage or around a building. That is not the driver being difficult, it is what curbside delivery means.
You get it off the truck
A bumper or a bed on a pallet is not a one-person lift. Have a second pair of hands, a forklift or a tractor ready, or ask about a liftgate when you order.
You inspect, then sign
This is the step that matters most, and it is the one people skip because the driver is waiting.
The bill of lading, and why it decides everything
When you sign the bill of lading you are making a statement about the condition of the shipment. Sign it clean and
you have told the carrier it arrived undamaged. Discover damage afterwards and you are arguing against your own
signature.
Before you sign:
- Walk all the way round the pallet.
- Unwrap or open enough to see the part itself. You are entitled to do this and the driver should allow it.
- If anything is damaged, write it on the bill of lading before signing. Be specific. "Possible damage" is not
enough; write what you can actually see. - Photograph it while it is still on the truck.
- Contact the seller straight away.
Do that and a damage claim is straightforward. Our procedure and the reporting window are on the
shipping and delivery page.
Why freight takes longer
An LTL shipment shares a trailer with other freight and moves between terminals rather than going direct. It also
waits for you to be available. That is why freight transit times are longer and less precise than parcel, and why
weather and terminal congestion move them.
Getting it right first time
- Give a mobile number you answer.
- Say up front if the delivery address has restricted access for a large truck.
- Arrange help for the day, not on the day.
- Do not book the delivery for a day you cannot be there.
People also ask
Can I collect instead of paying freight?
Yes. Call ahead so the part is pulled and ready, and bring something capable of carrying it.
What is a liftgate and do I need one?
A powered platform on the back of the truck that lowers the pallet to the ground. If you have no forklift or tractor, you probably need one. Ask before you order.
What if I am not there when it arrives?
The shipment goes back to the terminal and storage charges can start. Reschedule rather than miss it.
The driver will not let me open it. What now?
Note on the bill of lading that you were not permitted to inspect before signing, then photograph everything immediately and contact us.
Related guides and parts
Shipping and delivery policy
Timings and the damage procedure.
What used parts cost
Including the freight line item.
How it works
The whole process end to end.