May The Force Be With You

The General Show Contractor can force your freight if your transportation carrier shows up late for pickup at the end of the show, or if the person dismantling your booth does not turn in a completed material-handling form. 

The GSC can also charge your credit card on file for moving your “missing” freight across town to their warehouse. Forced freight can be frustrating, irritating, and downright expensive.

Here are some tips to avoid the hassle…

1. Always be sure to give your carrier the move out details from the GSC binder.  There is normally a time that all carriers must be “checked in” by.  Work with a carrier who is familiar with tradeshows!  They might be slightly more expensive, but it’ll save you in the long run.
2. Give your carrier specific instructions to call you if the GSC will not release your freight for any reason.  I always give my cell phone number to my carriers.  If you find out there is a problem before the show closes you might be able to fix it!
3. If you’re not at the dismantle to manage the outbound paperwork (known as the bill of lading or material-handling form), make sure that you’ve educated your I&D supervisor or person in charge of your exhibit properties about the importance of the bill of lading and how it must be handled.  Keep an example of a correctly completed BOL with your outbound labels!

4. Call the GSC as soon as you find out your freight has been forced.  Do not settle for talking with the exhibitor-support-center reps at the GSC’s toll-free number. (They have told me if I used their carrier, my freight wouldn’t be forced … sounds like extortion to me.) Ask to talk to the freight supervisor, explain your dilemma, and ask for immediate resolution.  Be diligent….call daily until you get an answer!
5. Get a written statement from your carrier’s driver(s) who were turned away, with as much detail as possible regarding what he or she was told about your shipment’s availability for pickup. Contest any charges from your GSC that seem unfair, especially after getting your carrier’s statements.
6. If forced freight is an ongoing problem at the shows you attend, let show management know about your displeasure with the outbound handling of your freight. This can help them to fix the underlying problem for future shows.