A.  Keep in mind that we have two basic types of bases:  the Fold-Over-Kit and the Hinge Base.  If you want your tower to be folded over at the 8 ft., 16 ft. or 24 ft. elevation level, you may end up using a Hinge Base installed in your concrete pad, and a Fold-Over-Kit installed at the pivoting level.  Otherwise, you will have either only a Fold-Over-Kit or a Hinge-Base for your tower.  (see the pages on those items further details.)

    B.  Our factory is more than willing to answer any questions you may have on a possible tower configuration and offer advice in putting it all together.

II.  Shipping:

A.  Parcels:  UPS, the US Postal Service, Fedex and other Courier Services may be used for shipment of smaller items like Thrust Bearings, Rotor Shelves, Nuts and Bolts, some small Hinge Bases or threaded Ground Bolts, and some short mast tubes (less than 9 ft.).  The general size limits for items shipped via these couriers are less than 108 inches in length AND less than 130" overall girth (includes length plus sides or circumference of packaged item.)   Our view of the value of Courier service is that it is not as economical as it once was for the larger tower accessory items.  Transportation costs have gone up in this sector and the industry has consolidated to fewer players.  Prices are noticeably higher.  For many items that  were once often shipped economically by UPS or FEDEX, the customer may want to consider Motor Freight type service.

B.  MOTOR FREIGHT: 

1. Towers and tower sections are shipped 'collect' or prepaid through various motor freight carriers.  The carrier will normally accept a check upon the delivery of your order.  You, the receiving customer, are expected to be present at time of delivery for truck carriers.  Delivery will never be completed without having a responsible adult sign for the shipment.  If the trucking company is delayed or has to make return trips to the final destination address, they may charge extra.  The customer is responsible for unloading the shipment by their own effort and equipment; if the driver offers assistance, it is usually not because his/her job requires it.   Trucking companies can often provide palette jacks, dollies or other moving equipment at minimal or no extra charge.  This, of course, would not pertain to Fork-Lifts, which, if needed, would be a significant rental charge.  Almost all shipments should be able to be handled by most customers without special or expensive unloading equipment. 

    2.  Crating may be an extra charge on every shipment now shipped on commercial carriers.  Our policy is to avoid the additional cost, volume and weight of extra crating whenever possible.  However, due to the unpredictable hazards of shipping through contracting carriers, we are required to sometimes crate or add additional packaging to your shipment.  Unless otherwise noted on product descriptions, domestic crating charges will not exceed 7.5% of the product price, and we will make every effort to lower these costs when possible.   Export or ocean crating charges may exceed this amount; these orders must have their crating costs quoted on an individual basis.

   3.  Other Truck related expenses:  the major additional expense with trucking is the Residential Delivery Charge, which trucking companies have instituted in the last 10 years.  To avoid this charge of $35 to $75, depending on the company, you the customer could take advantage of otherwise cheap rates ($75 for first 100 lbs. in most of U.S.) by driving their truck or minivan to their local trucking terminal to pick up the freight yourself.  Or you could ask a local business to allow you to unload the product at their dock (businesses are not charged residential fees.)

   4.  Shipping schedule and procedure:  Once we are completed with a complete tower order, we must ship it out within 3 business days.  Usually, we can ship out most orders within a hours after completion.  Sometimes, long distance locations force a delay in finding a freight carrier that is ready to accept the order.  Because of this, we can not allow customers who require a flatbed truck (usually for telescoping and other large towers) to arrange shipping.  We have several freight lines we work with, and we can obtain their services more quickly than other parties involved and at reasonably competitive rates.  Any customer who chooses to go outside of this arrangement will incur a $75 to $150 storage fee per day past 3 business days of waiting, once freight is completed in our facility and ready for pick up.  The extra expense of warehousing products is not built into our quoted tower prices.

C.  OCEAN FREIGHT:

All and any freight to be shipped by boat, domestic or international, must be shipped in a metal ocean container, at customer expense. 

Thank you for considering the purchase of our products.

Copyright © 1998-2007 Heights Tower Systems
Last modified:  03/13/2008 06:37 PM -0500