Dealer Orders Shipped Straight to the Customer: Drop Shipping and What Paperwork Travels With the Tub

Yes, a dealer order can ship directly to the end customer's home instead of to the dealer's warehouse. The order form has separate billing and shipping sections, so the dealer enters its own billing details and the customer's name, address, phone number and preferred delivery option as the consignee. The only document that travels with the tub is a packing slip listing the contents, and it shows no pricing. The dealer's confirmation invoice and receipt are sent separately by email.

How to Set Up a Drop Shipment

1. Request the order form from the team at (800) 480-6850 or through ellasbubbles.com/support for the model, door side, drain side and options your customer selected.
2. Complete the billing section with the dealer's information and payment details.
3. Complete the shipping section with the customer's full name, delivery address and a phone number the carrier can call to schedule delivery.
4. Specify your preferred shipping delivery option on the form.
5. Return the form and wait for the confirmation invoice, then review every line before confirming.

What Arrives with the Tub

Every shipment leaves with a packing slip that lists the items in the shipment. The packing slip does not show prices, so the end customer never sees the dealer's cost. The bill of lading is the carrier document that describes the freight. When support emails a bill of lading to a dealer, the request is to print three copies: one to attach to the order, one for the driver and one for the dealer's file. Dealers ordering replacement parts for a customer follow the process in ordering parts as a dealer or contractor, and can track those shipments as described in where is my replacement part.

Confirming the Invoice Before It Ships

Once the order form is received, support sends a confirmation invoice by email. It lists the model, options and shipping details, and any card processing fee and shipping cost are added to that confirmation invoice rather than the order form. Check the consignee name, address and phone number carefully, because the carrier uses those details to schedule delivery. Reply to confirm that everything is correct, and a receipt follows once payment is applied. Ella tubs are assembled and tested to order, so current timing for a specific order is confirmed by the team rather than promised here. General freight, tax and pickup details are covered in shipping, sales tax and pickup for your order.

Preparing the Customer for Delivery

Because the customer, not the dealer, will meet the truck, let them know what to expect. The carrier uses the phone number on the order to arrange delivery, and someone should be present to inspect the shipment before signing. Any visible or concealed freight damage must be reported within 48 hours of receipt, with all packaging material kept, so ask the customer to photograph the shipment and contents right away and inspect both visually and operationally. Dealers shipping outside the contiguous states should review ordering from Canada, Alaska, Hawaii or internationally first. Program details for dealers are in dealer, installer and contractor programs.

Related Guides

• Your walk-in tub has arrived, how to inspect the delivery before signing
• How your walk-in tub ships and how to prepare for delivery day
• My order arrived damaged, how do I file a freight damage claim?

Common Questions

Still Need Help?

Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and have your model and serial number ready.