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Resources > Budgeting
Guidelines
Forced freight is costly but easily avoided
Occasionally a general contractor will FORCE the return of
freight through his show carrier and charge higher rates.
It's usually the result of miscommunication. An exhibitor
leaves before his or her exhibit and discovers later that
the general contractor reassigned shipment to the show carrier.
To guard against this, exhibitors or their service people
need to notify their freight haulers of check-in deadlines
for outbound shipping from shows. If you do this and the hauler
misses the deadline (times are published in the show kit or
available at the show services desk) the freight hauler is
liable.
There are other checks and balances. When a bill of lading
is turned in at the service desk - which is necessary to get
an exhibit moved to the show floor - the individual turning
it in (usually the shipper) is notified of the check-in schedule.
At most shows, a signature is required on the bill of lading
acknowledging awareness of regulations and accepting responsibility.
Small General Contractors or Hotel Shows are most notorious
for initiating forced freight charges. Small general contractors
have even been known to play games in order to obtain the
freight.
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