A bill of lading, often shortened to BOL and sometimes called the delivery receipt or the shipper's delivery document, is the freight paperwork you sign at the curb when your walk-in tub arrives. It records what the carrier handed over and the condition it was in. Damage written on the bill of lading and signed by the driver is what makes a freight claim valid, so those few minutes with a pen at the curb are the most important part of delivery day.

How It Works

Before your tub leaves Chicago, the invoice and bill of lading are verified against your order, so the document that arrives with the truck matches what you purchased. Our article on what happens after your order is placed describes that step. On delivery, the driver presents the BOL for your signature. Signing it clean tells the carrier the shipment arrived in good condition, which is why any damage must be noted first.

If you see damage, photograph it, write the details on the shipper's delivery document, and have the driver sign next to your note. Damage that is not on the delivery documents cannot be claimed properly. If the unit cannot be fully inspected on the spot, sign with the words "subject to further inspection" so the carrier knows your inspection is still to come. A severely damaged crate may be rejected; call (800) 480-6850 right away in that situation.

Which Ella Models Have It

A bill of lading is part of every freight shipment rather than a feature of any one tub, so every Ella walk-in tub, whatever the door style or size, arrives with one. A full replacement door that ships on a pallet travels with a BOL as well.

What to Know as an Owner

Keep the signed bill of lading with your invoice. Freight damage claims are filed within 48 hours of receipt with photos plus copies of the invoice and bill of lading, and the details are in how to file a freight damage claim and the first 48 hours after a damaged delivery. Save all packaging, including the crate, until the installation is complete, and inspect for concealed damage with both a visual check and an operational one before filing.

Before the truck arrives, read the delivery inspection checklist so you know what to look at while the driver waits. When you open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support, have ready: the photos taken at the curb, the signed BOL, your invoice and your order number. If a dealer or retailer holds your order, report the damage to them as well.

Common Questions