Posts Tagged ‘traffic safety’

Comments Off on How Much Does Overnight Cost? A Large Amount!

How Much Does Overnight Cost? A Large Amount!

Thursday, April 24, 2014 By: admin

Overnighting ShipmentsIf you have recently tried to overnight something that’s anywhere from 5 to 10lbs you would have realized the prices have really skyrocketed over the years.  I have customers that want to overnight something ‘whatever the cost’ but I always make sure they know what that cost is, because typically when they hear it they decide to go another route.

For example, shipping a box of 10 barricade lights (a heavier version than a standard light, but still not a huge difference) overnight from Illinois to California was just quoted to me at $450.  Yes, that’s almost $500 for 10 lights.

Some other examples – 5 solar barricade lights overnight-ed from California to Texas was $115.  16 lights from Texas to Montana was $244 and 5 small airport lights from California to Oklahoma was $99.

Now once we get into products that are a little less ‘box friendly’ with bigger dimensions and awkward shapes things start to really spike up in price.  How about 8 stack-able ultra panels (without bases) going from California to North Carolina for $378 at 3rd Day Select?  Keep in mind that’s not overnight, or 2 day, that’s a 3 day shipment for $378.  And I had one customer request a quote on a type 3 plastic barricade 72″ wide, just 1 was $250 to overnight from CA to Louisiana.

So please keep this in mind when you want to get something overnight-ed.  Always get the quote first before you tell them to ship as it gets very expensive very fast!  We would be happy to get a quote for you.

Comments Off on Being Safe In The New Year

Being Safe In The New Year

Thursday, January 2, 2014 By: admin

Safety in the New YearHappy New Year!  I hope everyone gets a great start to their year and has some goals for 2014, I know I do.  I want to talk about the simple things we can all do (drivers, road workers etc) to make 2014 a year where we have the least traffic fatalities possible.  Drivers can vow to put their cell phone down – this means calling, texting, using the phone’s GPS (get a real one they are way better) let’s put a stop to all of this.  Not only is it illegal in most states, it can be just as distracting as drinking and driving.  This leads me to my next point.  Drivers, let’s not even have one drink before we get behind the wheel.  A sober driver needs to be COMPLETELY sober.

Now I think we could also help improve the safety of the roads with road crews being as upfront as possible about the safety situation on the road.  We want to make sure contractors and road improvement companies doing work on public roads are not cutting any corners in terms of worn equipment or a lack of traffic safety equipment.  And the traffic safety suppliers should vow to only sell quality products that will last a long time, no junk that will break apart after a month or two.

Happy New Year and remember drive safely!

 

Comments Off on Paul Walker’s Tragic Death and How We All Have Tested The Limits

Paul Walker’s Tragic Death and How We All Have Tested The Limits

Thursday, December 5, 2013 By: admin

paulwalkerThere is no doubt the way Paul Walker and his friend Roger Rodas died is a tragic story.  I think we all have tested the limits of our cars to some extent within that first year of getting our license, and it’s hard for me to believe similar crashes like this haven’t happened more often in my small hometown.  Whether you personally drove the car, or you were a silent occupant too nervous to tell your friend to slow down or stop racing another car due to social pressure, we have all seen it.  Incredibly stupid and reckless, I’ve had friends actually hit traffic drums while trying to get as close as possible without hitting them, simply for the amusement of those in the car.

I’ve had friends race each other, and all other typical machismo type behavior that happens as a male at 16 and a half years old in a small town with not much to do (although I am sure it happens in any size town or city).  I just saw a video from back in 2011 where Walker said he has gone 185 mph on a highway before as his fastest speed.  No he wasn’t the driver in this accident but that’s beside the point.  What I’m trying to say is this could have been any of us.  And it’s time we figure out how to get through to the younger generation that is just now getting their license that pulling these sorts of stunts is extremely dangerous to themselves and to others, and it’s not the ‘cool thing to do’.

This may mean talking about it more in our traffic safety courses.  This may mean harsher punishments for reckless driving.  What do you think it should mean?  What’s our best bet against fighting this?

Comments Off on Need Just A Few Traffic Cones?

Need Just A Few Traffic Cones?

Friday, October 18, 2013 By: admin

traffic cones, traffic cone, orange cone, orange traffic cone, construction cone, construction cones, plastic cone, plastic conesWhen I tell people about my business and what I sell, the first response is usually asking if I can sell them a few traffic cones as they want one for their apartment, dorm, a race in their backyard etc.  While I (and I am sure other traffic safety vendors) would love to be able to sell small quantities, the manufacturers don’t.  They want to sell 100’s at a time!

So here are a few resources for finding those 1 or 2 or 5 cones.  First try your local home depot, I have seen them sold as single units and for not a bad price!  If you don’t have a home depot or they are all out, try your local hardware store.  Even a mom and pop shop (like what I have in my hometown) could carry them because utility companies, the local police, cable companies and more all need small quantities at different times.

Need your cones to be colored?  Well now it gets a little more difficult.  Obviously they typically come in orange.  To find fluorescent green, pink, red etc you will most likely have to look online.  To find a company that doesn’t have a minimum order look for those that keep their products in stock.  That way the manufacturer’s don’t have to be hassled to send out 3 green traffic cones.

And finally, if you live in a big city (New York City, LA, Chicago) there is most likely a brick and mortar traffic safety company within the city.  I don’t imagine minimum orders apply there.

If you happen to need 10 more more we can help you out! Come to our website www.trans-supply.com and shop around!

Comments Off on Tips On Getting Your Traffic Safety Equipment On Time

Tips On Getting Your Traffic Safety Equipment On Time

Wednesday, September 11, 2013 By: admin

FastShippingIn this industry, planning ahead is not always an option and when you need something you usually need it ASAP.  Lots of companies will say they can get your product to you on time but following through with that promise can be an issue – and the last thing you want are fines from the FAA or DOT for not having your safety equipment installed by the agreed upon date.

Something to realize is that most of the time your products are going on a pallet so they are shipping via LTL (Less than Truckload) which can be slow!  When getting a shipping quote from your supplier ask for a few quotes based on transit time.  For example, going from CA to PA may be 7 business days transit time, pay a few hundred more and get it in 5 business days.

freightcarrierThese shortened transit times are not always available but it never hurts to ask.  And when it comes to total lead times (time to leave the warehouse + transit time) make sure it’s clear whether you are talking business days or ‘regular days’.  10 business days is actually 14 ‘regular’ days.

The last piece of advice is to set up an appointment with the freight company for delivery as soon as it ships out.  Ask your supplier for the number and make sure if an appointment needs to be set up, it is set up.  Otherwise, the product may sit in a local terminal for an extra day while they call you and set up an window for delivery.  So this makes sure you get the product as soon as it arrives in town.  This is almost always the case for residential type deliveries.

If you need a traffic safety product such as traffic cones or barricades within a certain date we will do our best to help you out.  Check out our website at www.trans-supply.com or call us directly at (866) 930-4604.