Shipping FAQs
Q. Will this impact my connection with my provider?
A. Yes, but for the better. Managing your carrier relationship is paramount to mutual business success. A carrier’s primary objective is to ensure a content shipper, and part of that satisfaction includes accurate billing. When PMAC corrects billing errors early in the relationship, it prevents them from happening in the future. It gives you confidence and gives the carrier revenue security. See the M. Watson Law Case Study. Additionally, recognizing your shipping style will help you work more effectively within the carrier systems, ultimately reducing expenses for both parties.
Q. What is PMAC’s fee?
A. For the most thorough line item review in the industry, PMAC operates on a contingency-based gain/share model of reconciled refunds. For special consulting projects, fees apply and are assessed on a project-by-project basis.
Q. How and when does PMAC receive compensation?
A. We are compensated through our agreed-upon share of the contingency fee once you have received carrier-confirmed credits on your invoices.
Q. When do we get invoiced?
A. Auditing services are billed for reconciled refunds monthly once refunds appear on the carrier’s invoices. Other projects are invoiced once finished.
Q. Do you offer additional services such as contract negotiation, consultation, and reporting?
A. Our business revolves around data capture and analysis. By combining this expertise with hundreds of years of industry experience, we can provide our customers with comprehensive solutions to all their carrier, freight, and shipping queries.
Q. Are there additional fees for customized reports?
A. Yes.
Q. How long have you been in business?
A. Since 1998.
Q. Do you own your software?
A. Yes, PMAC’s proprietary software is Parcel Ally™. Parcel Ally is a web-based system that automatically generates the most comprehensive shipping reports and performs the industry’s most comprehensive line item audits.
Q. Why choose PMAC? What sets PMAC apart from others in the industry?
A. PMAC is a well-regarded industry leader, having built a solid reputation by offering auditing and contracting services for carriers. Unlike many companies that review only a handful of shipment criteria, we conduct one of the most comprehensive audits, examining over 50 criteria to ensure complete accuracy.
Q. Do carriers have issues with your approach?
A. No. They value the chance to correct billing discrepancies to enhance customer satisfaction.
Q. How did you get into this? How did PMAC start?
A. We began shortly after purchasing a DHL franchise in October of 1998. Our customers needed us to be proactive in their service refunds, and bigger customers needed more shipment visibility.
Q. What is the maximum timeframe for reconciling invoices and adjusting the credits owed to us?
A. 180 days.
Q. What type of documents do you require from the carrier?
A. PMAC currently supports UPS BAT (billing data) file, CSV, FedEx ASCII250 Proprietary, and USPS Manifest Data. Additional variations are also supported.
Q. Do you handle physical invoices?
A. We do not rely on physical invoices for auditing; they are only used as a reference when necessary.
Q. Do you handle general ledger (GL) coding?
A. Yes. We have played a key role in managing some of the most complex general ledger coding systems.
Q. What are the steps to begin?
A. As soon as contracts and Mutual Confidentiality Agreements are in place, we can commence the audit process.
Q. What information or materials do you require from us?
A. We require an electronic version of your weekly carrier invoice. For UPS, we can either receive a copy of the billing email or need your UPS.com username and password to access your invoice files. For FedEx, we can retrieve invoices from the FedEx FTP site, the EDI department, or FedEx Billing Online. FedEx supports multiple invoicing methods at once, so we’ll assess your needs and guide you through a simple setup.
Q. Do we identify the refund opportunities ourselves, or do you provide us with a file, and we reach out to the carrier directly?
A. PMAC manages the full refund process for you. From identifying overcharges to reconciling your carrier invoices, we handle everything
Q. How do you verify that we’re receiving the proper discounts?
A. Upon receiving the carrier agreement, we create a customized rating script designed to address your discount structure across all service categories.
Q. Do you review package measurements?
A. Yes. Assessing package dimensions is essential, particularly for shippers dealing with large or irregular shipments. Feel free to consult with us regarding your packaging sizes.
Q. Do you analyze contract specifics and rebate figures?
A. Yes. We provide tailored scripts to evaluate your carrier’s revenue thresholds and any additional contractual conditions relevant to your business
Q. We work with multiple carriers. Will you review all of them?
A. Yes. As long as a tracking barcode is present, we will conduct an audit.
Q. When should we expect to see invoice credits and corrections?
A. Once the audit process is underway, credits generally appear within a few weeks. After the initial refunds are processed, a consistent pattern of adjustments will follow.
