Air freight is one of the fastest modes of transportation available, and it has its unique advantage over the others, and it does not come at a cheap price! This is why choosing the right partner is important. Let’s explore how to decide one and the 10 most common red flags when choosing an air freight partner.
How to spot air freight partner red flags and avoid unreliable air freight companies
Understanding what can go wrong in the partnership is the first step so that you can pinpoint unreliable air freight partner red flags.
Signs of unreliable air freight companies include ghosting, inconsistent schedules, failure to meet deadlines, and lack of accountability.
Importance of research before choosing an air freight partner
When you’re selecting an air freight partner, it’s crucial to ensure that you’re making an informed decision to avoid air freight partner red flags and protect many aspects of your company.
Selecting the right partner can have a negative or positive impact, so it is indispensable to take your time doing the research.
These are some company areas in which an air freight partner will have an impact:
- Supply chain speed and efficiency
- Profit and Loss
- Shipping costs
- Delivery timeframes
- Local and Cross-border shipping management.
- Reputation and customer satisfaction.
If you are not careful, you might find yourself working with a freight partner who under-delivers and puts your operation at risk.
Signs of a bad freight forwarder: 10 red flags to watch for
There are many signs of a bad freight forwarder to look for. Remember that having a reliable partner is crucial to avoid poor service and financial loss. Becoming familiar with air freight partner red flags will help you spot them and avoid them.
Here is a list of 10 red flags to look for when choosing an air freight partner, for you know how to avoid unreliable air freight companies and save yourself some time and trouble:
1. Lack of transparency
When your partner is unclear or constantly changing their mind about pricing, services, or schedules, once they were discussed, it’s one of the air freight partner red flags.
Not only is this very unreliable, but it is also a very shady practice that will also impact your operational budget.
Air freight partner red flags providers know. They count on you accepting unclear terms to avoid disrupting your operations and risking your customer satisfaction due to interrupted and slowed down supply chain as you make changes or plan for modifications needed.
Transparency in communication and respecting offers and agreements is key to building trust between you, your partner and your customers. If your air freight partner is not offering you this stability, avoid it!
2. Poor communication
Communication is also key when it comes to keeping in touch to stay informed about shipments, challenges that might arise, situations that need to be resolved, and general inquiries.
Look for air freight partner red flags if they don’t respond to your emails or phone calls on time. This will lead to disruptions in your supply chain, which may lead you to take misinformed decisions and affect your operations.
3. Unverified credentials
Regular, clear communication is a must, your partner needs to give you the peace of mind of knowing that whatever inquiry comes up, whatever obstacle that needs to be faced, they’ve got your back.
Ask your potential air freight partner for proof of certifications. This is crucial to verify that they are a legit business and that they have a certified ability to provide the services you need.
Always verify their credentials to avoid air freight partner red flags, putting your business and its operations at risk.
Affiliations are also important as another type of certification, and recognition from other organizations. It also shows you what special programs or networks they are part of, which carries its reputation as well as access to specific benefits.
4. Unclear service scope
Some freight companies don’t make it clear what services they provide or what you can expect. Be sure to understand their full range of services, before signing up, as well as any additional charges these may have
Ask about every aspect of the service provided, from customs handling to insurance options to ensure everything is clear, that their service scope matches your business needs and to avoid surprises along the way that might later disrupt your operations.
Make sure everything is documented and specified in the service contract before signing, and always ask for a dated copy and call up any air freight partner red flags you see.
5. Obsolete and outdated technology
Another crucial aspect of air freight services is the use of advanced technologies that help automate and better manage operations. One of the common air freight partner red flags is finding a partner that is not up-to-date with the use of advanced modern tools like
- Real time tracking
- AI driven analytics and forecasting
- Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
- Automated Customs Brokerage Solutions
- Internet of Things (IoT) Sensors
Is more likely to provide a slower and less accurate service, and will struggle to manage today’s fast-paced logistics demands.
You won’t have real-time visibility of your shipments, meaning there is a bigger chance for miscommunication errors, shipment loss, and any challenge faced will take a longer time to be resolved.
At EP Logistics, all of our solutions come integrated with the right advanced technologies to ensure your operations and shipments are optimized and to provide you with accurate information on your goods 24 / 7.
6. Failure to meet deadlines
Another crucial aspect for air freight providers is timeframes and the ability to meet deadlines. You can always ask a provider to try their service for a short term before committing to a longer one.
This will help you evaluate their efficiency and check that your items are being shipped and delivered with care and on time each time. If a company consistently fails to meet deadlines:
- Your shipments will be delayed
- You will have missed business and sale opportunities
- Your operational costs will increase
- It will result in lost revenue
- Customer satisfaction will decrease
- You won’t be as competitive as other businesses
- Your reputation can be damaged
These are major air freight partner red flags that should not be overlooked or taken lightly.
7. Hidden costs
As mentioned earlier, be wary of hidden fees in air freight services that are added at the last minute. A reliable partner will be upfront about any costs and the scope of services covered.
A trustworthy air freight partner will also be willing to answer all of your doubts about service and price, will be upfront with you regarding what suits your business best, and offer guidance about it instead of just “pushing a sale”.
8. Inability to handle diverse freight types
If your partner doesn’t have experience handling the type of goods you’re shipping, it’s a significant risk. Make sure your potential partner is prepared to handle the specific type of goods or material you are handling.
Ensure they are trained and equipped to handle any special requirements your business might need.
For example, temperature-regulated cargo, if you are dealing with time-sensitive items, proper package care for fragile items, and that they can handle the right volumes you require.
9. Low or sketchy industry reputation
A good way to check for air freight partner red flags is by checking the company’s reputation through reviews and testimonials from other clients. A good air freight partner should have a solid reputation, always:
- Look at the bad reviews so you can analyze any patterns or repeated issues
- Pay special attention to the dates and see if issues were resolved
- It is also a good idea to look at the recent five-star reviews
- Verify they are coming from genuine businesses and not from bots or fake reviewers
- Use different reputable sources as a reference, like Google My Business, Reddit, or Trustpilot, for example, to avoid air freight partner red flags
10. Limited coverage areas
You want to make sure that all regions you are catering to can be covered by your provider. But also that future ones will be, as you want your partner service to be scalable and flexible so it can grow along with your business.
Keeping this in mind since the beginning will save you the hassle of switching providers and will allow you to build a long-term relationship with them.
Air freight partner red flags to watch out for are when companies only serve certain regions or routes. This means they might not be the best fit for your international logistics needs, as they won’t be able to keep up with your business expansion.
Air Freight scams to watch for
Scams can be difficult to spot at first, but they’re often linked to issues like misrepresentation, unverified partnerships, and unclear financial terms.
Now that you know the most common red flags, you will be able to better identify them, know what questions to ask and be able to avoid frauds. Remember, a scam might involve:
- Over promising
- Suspicious exceptional low pricing but with hidden fees
- Inability to find reviews on the business
- Too many bad reviews or outdated (too old) good ones
- Sketchy websites
- Lack of proper documentation and contracts, or refusal to provide you with copies
If something feels off, trust your instincts. Always verify all the claims made by your potential partner, and don’t be afraid to ask questions to spot air freight partner red flags.
Keep your options open and do thorough research among various possible providers.
At EP Logistics, we provide clear, competitive pricing, and we don’t engage in deceptive tactics or keep hidden fees. We value transparency, long-term business and partner relationships!
Partnering with EP Logistics
With over 20 years of experience providing top logistics solutions that can be tailored to your specific industry and business needs, and transparency in logistics pricing. At EP Logistics we take your operations seriously.
We offer reliable modes of transportation including road, ocean, and air freight logistic solutions, ensuring that your goods and materials are properly handled by professionals, meet deadlines, and arrive at their destination on time. Our road freight logistics services are designed to support your distribution needs with efficiency and consistency, whether local or cross-border.
We have a specialized team of customs brokers that oversee the smooth clearance of your goods across Mexico and the U.S. borders, as well as strategically located warehousing services.
All of our solutions are backed up by our reputation. Our team is happy to offer you guidance in selecting air freight vs sea freight for business or select services focused on optimizing your operations, enhancing your supply chain and boosting your profits and company’s reputation.
If you are looking to avoid air freight partner red flags and get expert and reliable outsourced logistics both locally and internationally instead, EP Logistics got you covered, contact us today!
