Returns and Shipping Policies

MINIMUM ORDERS-LTL SHIPMENT: Effective January 1, 2023, the prepaid order for LTL/Commercial shipments will be
$2,500.
MINIMUM ORDERS-TRUCK ROUTE CUSTOMERS: A minimum order of $500 is required. On orders less than $500 there
will be a $20 handling charge. These rates are subject to change. TSD reserves the right to assess a fuel surcharge based
on the national average fuel price.
FREIGHT CLAIMS: Damage or shortage claims on merchandise delivered by common carrier must be filed with delivering
carrier. When you receive a shipment that shows obvious damage, make a notation on the freight bill, then immediately
notify the carrier’s nearest office. They will supply you with the claim form and instruct you as to what to do with the
damaged merchandise. One exception to this procedure is damage or loss on a UPS shipment. In this case, notify us
immediately so we can file the claim.
MERCHANDISE RETURN: No merchandise is to be returned to our warehouse without prior approval. Authorized returns
must be prepaid, and will be subject to a 15% restocking charge. All requests to return merchandise must be made within
30 days of purchase and have a copy of the original invoice. No returns accepted on furnace or air conditioner parts.
OFFICE HOURS: We are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. We are closed on Saturday and Sunday.
WARRANTY: All items are covered by manufacturer’s

 

 

Freight Receiving Procedure & Freight
Damage Policy and Reporting Procedure

Under the terms of our purchases, most equipment is shipped F.O.B. from the TSD Warehouse.
TSD Shipments F.O.B. TSD assumes no responsibility and make no allowance for delays, loss or damage from
any cause after goods have been delivered by transportation companies.
As the receiving agent for TSD, your signature on a warehouse receipt or delivering carrier’s freight Bill of
Lading (BOL) constitutes acceptance of the merchandise “as is” and in good order. If you do not inspect
before signing you are, for all practical purposes, waiving “our” right to collect on a damage claim even if
the damage is “concealed”. Remember, once you sign, the merchandise and the responsibility is yours!
Immediately check for possible damage that may have occurred during shipment. The National Claims Council
Regulations specify that you must:
1. Inspect, examine and inventory your delivery as it’s unloaded.
a. Any and all shortages and damages must be written on the Bill of Lading or Freight Bill. Should you
determine on the bill that any items are damaged or missing, you MUST note the item, the discrepancy,
and the condition on the Bill of Landing or Freight Bill before you sign it!
b. You should open cartons and containers. If there is the slightest doubt that the merchandise is
damaged (concealed or not), it must be noted on the Bill Of Lading or Freight Bill or the liability to
prove the damage was done by the delivering carrier is your responsibility.
c. Do not be intimidated by the driver. They cannot leave until the Bill of Lading or Freight Bill is signed
(regardless of how much in a hurry they are or how late they are).
2. Discovered Damage - If the box, crate, or merchandise is visibly damaged, refuse the delivery and request
a Return Authorization number so the merchandise can be shipped back to its origin at no charge.
3. Concealed Damage - In the event of concealed damage, you MUST immediately document and photograph
the packaging and the damage. You must keep the packaging. Do not move the item. Call the TSD Inside
Sales department at 800-476-6164 to begin a concealed damage claim and ask for an inspection. The
inspector will determine if the damage was carrier caused. Remember you signed the document saying
everything was OK. A report must be filed with Tri-State within 2 days of receiving your delivery.
Reporting concealed damage will not guarantee a credit.
The sooner the concealed damage is discovered, the better.
Further measures that may help in the claim process include the following:
1. Taking digital photographs of the damage. If possible, photographs of the merchandise still on the truck
will limit the buyer’s liability.
2. Request an inspector.
3. Keep a copy of the Bill of Lading or Freight Bill noting the damage and driver’s signature.
Items shipped by UPS are not covered by this policy. UPS damages should be reported to TSD Inside Sales
Department immediately. UPS damages will be handled between UPS and TSD.
There are a lot of things that can happen between TSD and your loading dock. Therefore, we are asking
you to do a very small amount of work to protect both of us. The Bill of Lading or Freight Bill is our only
documentation of the condition of a load when it arrives at your site. Without this proof, we cannot hold
others accountable for items damaged or missing.