When I started the first company in 2003, I knew nothing at all about freight forwarding. I literary received a wooden box from Italy (where I originally brought my products from) and the shareholders said: “Go – go and make us a company.” I was so green; as you say in Australia: “as green as a cactus”.

So, I went, started the company, signed on new dealers and started to get orders. A little too quick, you see. I didn’t have the chance to study

freight forwarding

just yet, and as you’ve already learnt about me, I do make mistakes and it is the only way I learn (not a very good plug to our education system).

So the facts are:

1. Stock is coming from Italy
2. I need a freight forwarding company to bring it in
3. I think I know what I am doing

TURNED.  UGLY.  FAST.

I googled and one of the first companies I got seemed very “nice”. Define nice, you say? Can’t remember for goodness’ sake, it was 2003… and they were on the top listing with google, so they must be good. I called, tried to sound as professional as possible, I didn’t want them to know how ignorant I was at that stage, I thought they’d pick it up fast enough.

So… I called this huge freight forwarding company, the receptionist didn’t really care. They were a Mega Company and I was a fish in the ocean, she put me on to sales, who coldly gave me a few rates for different services:

1. Transhipment: 38 days shipping  (really meaning at least 52 days shipping)
2. Direct around the world (What?? Direct or around the world?) 28 days shipping (really meaning about  42 days days)
3. And direct, like legit direct: 28 days shipping (meaning 35-40 days)

The prices were so different, so I said to the sales rep, “You are an authority in the market, you know best, these are my needs please choose which service I should use.” (I have been told that empowering people will get the best out of them, sounded smart at the time), but he said, “whatever, I will put you on my fastest service” and of course the most expensive. (Couldn’t see this coming)

Without shopping around I straight away paid premium, but did it arrive on time?? Oh no….. This mega company don’t seem to have their own presence in Italy, just agents – really??? According to Google, they were supposed to be an Italian origin specialist!

DOWNHILL.  FROM.  THERE.

He forgot to tell me the land costs were not included…didn’t we tell you?  He just realised that the French ports are on strike so there will be couple of weeks’ delay, but wait I thought I am shipping direct from… Italy!! Got my shipment – late – paid a fortune, and started doing a lot more research on the specialist freight forwarders for this region. And one shined, SEATRAM, an Italian Company, specialising in Italian trade with a Melbourne office, only a few doors down from me, small, unpretentious, best prices, no subcontractors, best communications, and a gold service. And I stuck with them for 12 years!

Paolo Coehlo wrote in the Alchemist – sometimes what you are looking for is just under your nose.

Do your research and choose wisely!!! Understand your origin, the restrictions, and the tariffs. Learn how customs goes through their screening processes; learn about bark on pallets… At least you know which questions to ask if you’re speaking to another freight forwarding company for the first time.

Reserve a free 1 on 1 strategy session
with our Principal Consultant NOW.
Click Here