If you are a food service operator, whether you’re buying a few new tables or seating items or an entire dining area’s worth, there are things to consider in anticipation of receiving it to insure a hassle-free experience.
How the new furniture is received at your establishment is as important as what you buy.
Did you purchase from a dealer who will be delivering and installing your seating or tables? If so, the responsibility for handling most of the items listed below will fall to them.
If you will not be expecting dealer assistance, it is important to be mindful of the following:
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- PREPARE: If your project involves a quantity of tables and seating items that will warrant being delivered by a common carrier trucking company, be aware that the trucker’s responsibility is to get the shipment to the back of the truck only. If your location does not have a loading dock, it will most likely be necessary that you request a lift gate when you place your order. Asking for a call ahead is also highly recommended.
- INSPECT: Whether a delivery is made by a trucking company or a small package carrier like UPS or FedEx, it is imperative that the shipment be inspected for damage or missing items before signing for it. Signing for a delivery without noting any damage or shortages makes filing a claim after the fact very difficult.
- UNPACK: Once the product has been received from a carrier, there will be a significant amount of unpacking and assembly. Seating items are usually mostly assembled from the factory, but to reduce damage, will have packaging material on the frames most likely requiring some degree of unwrapping. Care should be taken in the unwrapping to avoid scratching the finish of the frame or tearing seat material.
- ASSEMBLE: To reduce the cost of shipping, as a rule, table tops and bases will arrive unassembled at your location and will need to be put together. Assembly of these items is usually not difficult but can be time consuming as, like seating products, the components can require unwrapping along with the extra step of assembly. If a dealer is not involved with the installation, it is important to familiarize yourself with the proper assembly prior to starting the process.
- DISPOSE: When the new furniture is installed, the final step will be to dispose of the shipment’s boxes and packaging material which can be substantial depending on how much product you bought.
As mentioned previously, a lot of the above tasks will fall to the dealer if you have them handle to the delivery and assembly. This value-added service can be a time and money saver in the long run.
Bon appétit!
To learn more about BFM Seating’s New Furniture, please click here or call us at 215-289-5411.
