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How to Get Best Buy Box Truck Contracts Successfully

Best Buy is one of North America’s largest electronics goods retailers. They sell consumer technology products and services. This company offers a wide range of merchandise and services to its customers, such as computing and mobile phones, consumer electronics, appliances, entertainment, and other products.

Their services include consultation, delivery, design, health-related services, installation, memberships, repair, set-up, technical support, and warranty-related services. According to reports, Best Buy is always seeking for partners to create viable partnerships.

Note that a contract carrier with Best Buy is a trucking company that has established a strategic partnership with Best Buy that allows for continuous sustainability, extensive collaboration, and the development of innovative solutions that benefit the shipper, the carrier, and Best Buy.

As part of its dealings with Best Buy, a contract carrier is expected to be flexible when it comes to the terms of doing business, such as acceptance of Best Buy’s standard terms and conditions.

These include, but are not limited to payment terms, standard indemnifications by a carrier to Best Buy, insurance requirements, and evidence that the carrier meets such requirements. However, note that registering as a potential carrier with Best Buy does not guarantee future business.

Steps to Become a Box Truck Owner Operator for Best Buy

To get contracts with Best Buy and partner with them to develop working arrangements that will lead to the efficient transportation and delivery of high-quality goods, you will need to meet certain stipulated requirements. While these requirements and processes can be tasking, they can be lucrative and worth it. Here is a simple guide to getting Best Buy contracts.

  1. Evaluate Your Finances

To get Best Buy box truck contracts, you will need to make certain personal investments, which will surely require funds. Owing to that, before you start seeking ways to get Best Buy box truck contracts, you must invest time to evaluate your financial situation.

If you have a family that depends on your owner-operator income, then you need to get some emergency savings before working with Best Buy. This will create a safety net to see you through slow months, or the time it takes to align well with the needs and terms of Best Buy.

You should consider inputting all your financial information into a spreadsheet to easily understand how much you will have to generate each month to pay your expenses. Also, take your time to estimate how much you can earn working for Best Buy, and remember to make low estimates to be on the safe side.

  1. Register a Business

Best buy delivery contracts are not for individuals but legitimate businesses registered in the United States or Canada. It is also important you register your business because the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will ask questions about your business when you apply for your USDOT Number.

You must visit your state’s secretary of state website and search the database to see if your business name is available. You also need a business structure.

As a new box truck business or an existing one, you can choose to form a sole proprietorship or a limited liability company (LLC). However, note that there are other business structures to consider for your box truck business. You can get more information on forming a business from the Small Business Association.

  1. Obtain your USDOT and MC Numbers

In the United States, you will be expected to obtain a USDOT number before you can independently use your box truck to deliver or transport goods. This is a must, especially if you intend on shuttling passengers, moving interstate freight, or transporting hazardous material (HAZMAT) in a substantial enough quantity to warrant the need for a safety permit.

To obtain a USDOT, it is recommended you visit the online portal Unified Registration System and submit a $300 payment. Also, note that you will need an MC Number if you intend to transport regulated commodities. To get more information about these requirements, consult the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) website.

  1. Meet Best Buy Other Requirements

Carriers or trucking companies who intend to deliver goods for Best Buy are expected to meet the following standards:

  • Have a good and reliable box truck
  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Meet the basic requirements of a highway contractor
  • All Contracted Carriers are required to be EDI capable. EDI allows Best Buy and carrier systems to communicate and eliminates the need for manual keying of information on both sides.
  • Be SmartWay Certified
  • The carrier should be able to receive the tender requests via EDI204
  • Ability to accept requests within 90 minutes via EDI990 (TL Only)
  • Manage pick-up of tender excepted load (by mode) according to the shipping instructions
  • Should be able to reach out to the vendor to arrange pick-up details at least 24 hours before the assigned pick-up date according to the shipping instructions
  • Able to work directly with the Scheduling Team on setting up a business process for scheduling appointments using the EDI documents and receiving appointment confirmations.
  1. Get Adequate Insurance

Same as with any other business working with trucking companies, Best Buy requires that carriers guarantee the highest level of safety and performance, including compliance with safety, USDOT, and insurance requirements. Businesses seeking to obtain Best Buy box truck contracts need to obtain all USDOT Insurance requirements. Basic insurance policies to consider include;

  • Commercial General Liability: Not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate
  • Auto Liability: Not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, including a trailer replacement coverage of $50,000
  • Cargo coverage: At least $100,000
  • Workers’ Compensation insurance: In every jurisdiction where your company operates
  • Employer Liability: Not less than $100,000 per occurrence
  1. Apply for Best Buy Relay

Just as was noted above, Best Buy is always looking for merchandising, non-merchandising or Goods Not for Resale (GNFR), and carrier partners who are very vital in helping Best Buy serve the varying needs of customers through technology.

If you are interested in becoming a carrier partner with Best Buy and you have fulfilled the requirements noted above, just visit the Best Buy Partner Page on their website to fill out the New Carrier Partner Request Form. For information on getting started in the Partner Portal, click the Profile dropdown in the upper right of your screen and select User Resources. Next, expand the “Are You a User?” section.

Conclusion

Truth be told, Best Buy remains one of the best companies to contract with. As a carrier for Best Buy, you will work as a transportation partner that delivers products to Best Buy warehouses.

However, note that Best Buy does not assign same-day pick-up appointments. While you will be tasked with managing the scheduled appointment through delivery, you can expressly reach out to your Best Buy Load Planner if you have any questions or concerns.