Back in February, I came across an informative Better Business Bureau blog called “Questions to Ask before Trusting a Logistics Company with Your Shipment.” As the designated social media Facebooker, Tweeter, Blogger, and general Marketing Misfit for ARPCO Transport Services, a logistics company in Grapevine, TX, I decided that we are up to the challenge of successfully answering all four of these very important and pertinent questions.
The BBB blog recommends utilizing a logistics company because “logistics companies match dozens of shipments every day with multiple transportation companies with whom they have a solid relationship. They know which companies can handle smaller loads, products that need to be refrigerated, or even hazardous materials[1];” thus saving you time and money on your shipment. This is absolutely true. ARPCO has a quarter-of-a-centuries-worth (That’s right, we celebrate our 25th Anniversary in August.) of these ‘solid’ freight connections and experience-sharpened knowledge of how to provide our customers with the most competitive and cost-effective options including all of the above mentioned services and more.
Okay, enough of the sales-pitch, let’s get down to answering your questions.
1. Check with the Better Business Bureau.
The BBB is an amazing source of information which provides consumers with a rating-based ranking for a company’s integrity and history. However, not all businesses have opted to subscribe to the BBB’s accredited business status, and ARPCO is one of these businesses. Therefore, you won’t find us rated on the BBB website. So, where can you go to assure yourself of our reputation?
Easy! ARPCO is a member of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) and the National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC). We adhere to regulations set forth by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). We are a TIA PC 10 Certified brokerage business and maintain the Best Broker Ranking by the NASTC. Are you looking for a logistics company that is environmentally friendly? No problem. (You thought you had us with that one, didn’t you?) ARPCO is a member of SmartWay, a division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created to encourage a sustainable and green future in the logistics industry. Want proof? Just click on those nifty blue text links and they will take you to our listings on each of these sites.
2. Find out the company’s credit rating.
Since we are a transactional, non-asset based brokerage business our credit rating will be a little different than your average business. What exactly does “non-asset” mean? Put simply, it means we do not own or operate any trucks. But that being said we strongly encourage you to do your due diligence in researching our, or any, company’s credit history. We utilize Ansonia and Transcredit services for our own credit checks and would recommend their services. Each company specializes in credit history for the transportation related industry. I guarantee you will be pleased with what you find about ARPCO!
3. Ask for references from customers and carriers.
One thing we are not shy about is our references! We proudly display a link on our website for you to email us, mail@arpco.com, and request our Reference Packet. Easy as that!
4. Look at the company’s website.
We have maintained the same URL since way back when phones had antennas on them and computers had to be command boot to run. Our website offers a comprehensive list of all of our services, insight into our principles, an option to view our load board, and information about our Affinity Program which assists charitable organizations with donated freight. It may not have the bells and whistles of drop down menus and sidebar options, but we keep it simple (remember?) and offer a very user-friendly layout.
Now that we have easily answered all four questions, I have one to present to you:
Why would you wait to book your freight with ARPCO?
I will quote the marvelous MC Hammer, “We are just too legit to quit.”
[1] Questions to Ask before Trusting a Logistics Company with Your Shipments; http://www.bbb.org/blog/2013/02/questions-to-ask-before-trusting-a-logistics-company-with-your-shipment/
ARPCO Says 
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We look forward to your visits and keeping up with what ARPCO is saying! We do not have a newsletter at this time, but if we create one we will announce it here. Thanks!
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