(VIDEO) Did you know??
For most Ontario locations we can have your structure to you in 4 weeks!
And we will still be heading east with our truck at least once, maybe twice still, weather and order dependent, so if you’re cleaning up from the storm and need something, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Orders out west can still be delivered this year as well!
Call to find out more! 1-866-838-6729 multisheltersolutions@gmail.com
As we mentioned in a previous video, MSS is known for working with its customers to keep down the cost of shipping. That was all about the communication process before the load actually left.
Today we are discussing how and why we need your help during the delivery run: the new reality of trucking is ELD (Electronic Log devices)
Historically, our driver has had to keep a paper log of driving and deliveries. This was to ensure that there were no more than 14 hours per day or 70 hours per week of working and driving.
The system was cumbersome but at least there was some wiggle room.
With the new electronic system, there is zero wiggle room. It must be turned on before the driver starts moving and literally every minute must be accounted for. When the 14 hours is up, the driver must be stopped; there is no allowance for doing an extra 20 minutes to the motel.
If the officer asks for a report, it will be right there that the driver was illegally moving. The fines are extremely high and the driver’s record will precede him. Many of our stops are rural and remote. Often the driver stops early just to play it safe.
The driver must be very efficient with his time and here is how you can help:
Losing time to these kinds of things can mean that the last drop of the day is pushed back until the next day. This will add to the delivery runs’ expenses and must be passed on to the customers. We do not do our deliveries at a profit when margins can be sharpened.
We enjoy making connections with our customers. Unfortunately, the driver simply does not have the leeway to chat as much as previously.
We appreciate your help and participation in ensuring a smooth flow.
to watch the previous video, click here: https://youtu.be/l2rc-Z710Aw
Working With Our Customers for Mutual Benefit on Deliveries
Multi Shelter Solutions has always been known for working with its customers.
This is particularly true for coordinating deliveries to minimize freight costs. It is more than just saving on freight, though.
Our deliveries ensure that the product gets to you when it is supposed to and in the condition it is supposed to.
Occasionally we are faced with a situation where a shipment is not complete at the promised delivery date. It has always been our policy to still ship the order with the back order going out at our expense.
We deem it more important to keep you happy and on schedule than worry about the additional expense.
We know it’s well known, but with fuel prices going up at unprecedented rates and supply chain issues ongoing, meeting this commitment has become even more of a challenge and required more creative solutions.
It has also emphasized how critical good communication between all parties is. You need to have timely and accurate information on your order status and we need accurate information on your schedule.
It is pointless for us to show up with an incomplete order when you are not ready for it.
We hope that we have built up a level of trust where you feel comfortable giving us this information, while knowing we are working hard on your behalf.
Through good dialogue, we can minimize the impact of these delays for both of us.
We appreciate the trust you have shown in us by placing your order with Multi Shelter Solutions. We will always look forward to working with you on your project through to completion and in the days that follow
Ever since the onset of COVID-19 virus with all of its challenges, we at Multi Shelter Solutions have been fortunate to have a huge increase in interest in our products. We are grateful that people see such value in our greenhouses as they search for added food security amidst uncertainty.
This increase in interest during this time of uncertainty and extra protocols for safety have not happened without its own challenges. We are grateful for the patience which customers have shown and also their willingness to plan ahead.
Generally speaking we are getting people the information and numbers which they need within a week. Some of the more complex quotes or ones with a few extra situations do take a few extra days.
In the office, Maggie has been quickly acknowledging requests and identifying any missing information so that when Kelly or Norm does the quote, they have what is required.
We appreciate you giving us as much information as possible to reduce any back and forth and help your quote process go quicker. As a reminder we do not give quotes or delivery updates on our social media.
Please be aware that with the uncertainty and volatility of steel and aluminum costs, we are only guaranteeing our prices for 30 days. We understand people appreciate having those numbers available for their planning purposes on our website but the best way to ensure accuracy right now is to phone or email for a quote. As a heads up, we will be updating pricing on our website in the near future, to respond to the situation we are facing from our suppliers.
With our current workload, deliveries are being quoted at 10 weeks. Some of the larger or more complex buildings are being quoted as longer. We work at grouping things together in certain areas and some customers are surprised with quicker deliveries. This is something that should not be counted on.
Our office staff continues to reach out to customers just before delivery to ensure they are aware of delivery protocols. Acknowledgement of these protocols is mandatory for the safety of the driver but also in more and more situations, part of the necessary paperwork we must file in advance as we travel out of province.
We appreciate everyone helping to get these things organized quickly and efficiently. We are grateful that we are classified as essential service and are meticulous with ensuring paperwork is complete so that we can maintain that status.
We will continue to use our website and social media as best as we can, as a tool for keeping our customers informed and up to date on what is going on in our rapidly changing world.
We look forward to working with you on your greenhouse and shelter projects and wish you health and safety in the coming month and beyond.
Thank you for your interest and patience,
Norm & the Multi Shelters Team
It has always been MSS’s style to provide the necessary or requested information and pricing to people, and then let you do the required number crunching and planning and take the time you need. We have never made a practice of pressuring anyone to buy before they are ready. The current and changing circumstances warrants us to give you a heads up however.
Our lead times will continue to be a minimum of 8 weeks due to the extra work involved with COVID protocols. We are also going through a time of significant price uncertainty so pricing and quotes can only be guaranteed for 30 days.
The more notice we receive on the structure(s) you wish to purchase, the better we can guarantee it to arrive when you need it.
We are grateful for the way that our customers are thinking ahead for their structure purchases. We thank you for the opportunity of working with you on your shelter and greenhouse projects.
We wish you a happy new year and a safe and prosperous spring.
Thanks
Norm Eygenraam, President
We thank you for your business and trusting us with your shelter purchase. We are very appreciative of the opportunities created by being deemed “an essential” service. As part of the “food chain” we can keep producing and shipping greenhouses.
We have taken steps to ensure the safety of the employees, which include extra use of sanitizers and cleaners, social distancing, no sign receipts and pickups, separate areas for pick ups and drop offs.
For us to continue with deliveries in a safe manner, we have established some protocols that have to be adhered to. These are more then “guidelines”, these are rules for everyone’s safety. Our driver has been instructed to enforce these measures.
Responsibilities of the customers:
Please be safe and continue to do your part. We look forward to coming out of these trying times together, being stronger for the experience.
Multi Shelter Solutions
Norm Eygenraam, President
Multi Shelter Solutions 