Dealer Orders: Using Your Own Freight Carrier and Bill of Lading

Yes. Dealers and trade buyers can move an Ella order on their own freight carrier. When the order desk replies to your purchase order, it includes Ella's shipping charge for the order along with the option to use your own carrier instead. If you choose your own carrier, you send Ella a bill of lading, and Ella provides everything the carrier needs: the pick-up location, the shipping dimensions of the crate, the shipping weight and the freight class. Pick-up is scheduled only after the order is paid for and released to production, and Ella confirms when the unit is ready.

What Ella Provides for Your Bill of Lading

Once you tell the order desk you would like to arrange your own freight, you receive the ship-from location, the crated shipping dimensions listed as width, length and height, the shipping weight and the freight class. Walk-in tubs are assembled and tested in Chicago and ship from there. Shower bases, wall surrounds and some other products ship from partner manufacturing facilities in other states, so the pick-up address is confirmed for each order rather than assumed. When the unit is ready, Ella confirms the scheduled ship or pick-up window so your carrier can book against it, and your carrier's own scheduling cut-off times apply.

How the Process Works

1. Send your purchase order with the ship-to address, the contact who should receive confirmations and tracking, and any delivery requirements such as signature required.
2. Ella replies with the shipping charge for the order and asks whether Ella should handle shipping or you will supply your own carrier and bill of lading.
3. If you choose your own carrier, request the shipping details and prepare the bill of lading under your carrier account.
4. Review the invoice and confirm every line item, including any accessory such as a shower screen, then pay it. Ella releases the order to production only after payment.
5. Ella sends the order confirmation with the scheduled ship or pick-up date. Book your carrier for that window and email the bill of lading to the order desk so it is on hand when the driver arrives.

Choosing Between Ella's Shipping and Your Own Carrier

Ella's shipping charge covers freight to the address on your purchase order, as explained in how freight delivery works. Arranging your own carrier is useful if you have your own carrier account or want to route the order through your own warehouse first. Dealers who prefer to collect the unit themselves can arrange that too; see picking up in Chicago. Sales tax and pick-up details for an order are covered in shipping, sales tax and pickup for your order.

Receiving the Shipment

Whichever carrier moves the order, inspect the crate before signing and note any damage on the delivery receipt. The bill of lading article explains what you are signing at delivery. Keep all packaging material, check for concealed damage both visually and by operating the unit, and file within 48 hours of receipt using the steps in how to 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.