Consignee delivery appointments called ahead
Grocery DCs and big-box stores turn away any trailer without an appointment. The agent calls the receiver as soon as the freight is moving, books a slot, and the driver arrives expected.
A shipment heading to a receiver flagged "appointment required", or a residential delivery that needs a time.
Calls the receiver, offers times that fit the linehaul, books one and gets the appointment number.
The appointment and confirmation number on the order, and fewer refused trailers.
How it works
- Spots the freight that needs a time
Each morning it lists shipments to receivers marked appointment required, and every home delivery, with the day the freight reaches the terminal.
- Calls the receiving desk
In the shipper's name and with the PO, the way a receiving clerk expects. Many DCs want the PO, skid count and carrier before they'll offer a time.
- Books a time that works
It knows when the freight lands at the destination terminal, so it only accepts a time the truck can make.
- Gets the number
The DC's appointment or confirmation number goes on the order, the BOL notes and the driver's stop.
- Handles the voicemail desks
If receiving doesn't answer, it leaves the PO and a callback number and tries again before their cut-off.
- Tells your rep
A receiver that won't book inside the delivery window, or wants a different day, goes to the rep on the account the same morning.
Example call
- AI agentHi, it's Emma calling for Clearpath Logistics. I'm booking a delivery appointment for PO 77-5520, six skids from Vallée Foods.
- CustomerReceiving, this is Tom. Hang on... okay, I see the PO. What day are you looking for?
- AI agentThe freight reaches our Ottawa terminal Thursday morning. Do you have anything Thursday afternoon or Friday morning?
- CustomerI've got Friday at 7 a.m. or Friday at 10:30.
- AI agentFriday at 7 works. Can I get the appointment number?
- CustomerIt's 22-918. Driver needs to check in at the guard shack fifteen minutes early.
- AI agentGot it, appointment 22-918, Friday at 7, check in at the guard shack by 6:45. Thanks, Tom.
After the call: The order shows Friday 7:00 with appointment 22-918 and the guard-shack note. The Ottawa driver has it on Friday's first stop, and the shipper's tracking shows the delivery appointment.
What your team gets
- Appointment numbers on the order and the driver's stop
- Receivers' check-in rules noted for the driver
- Fewer trailers refused for a missing appointment
- Residential deliveries given a time the customer chose
- A morning list of receivers who wouldn't book in the window
Questions
Will a DC talk to an AI?
Receiving desks book appointments with carriers all day. She gives the PO, skid count and carrier the way they expect, and they give her a time.
What if the receiver uses an online booking portal?
Your team notes those receivers, and the agent handles the ones who book by phone. Portal receivers go on a list for the person who books them.
What about home deliveries?
It calls the customer with two windows on the day the freight can be there, books one and texts the confirmation.
Hear it on your phone
Request a demo call and the agent phones you, set up for logistics like yours.