4. What is the charge for shipping?

Shipping can be free.

We require a minimum purchase for free delivery. Individual orders can be consolidated, so that the total shipment meets the free shipping threshold.

The minimum purchase for free freight varies, depending on what shipping zone/state you are in. Here is an example of one shipping zone map for items shipped on a pallet. (Hold the control button and press the + key, to zoom in).

For items not requiring a pallet that Southern can ship by FedEx or UPS, lower fees apply.

If your order does not meet the minimum, a shipping and handling charge will apply. We have an extensive network of shippers. We strive to keep shipping costs to their lowest by exploring the most cost efficient option among these shippers. We pass on all savings directly to you.

Here is an example of an LTL pallet shipment. If you were located in Winston-Salem, this 1120 lb. load would incur a possible charge of $77.50, per the zone map above. Or, if the total sale met the free freight requirements, there might be no delivery charge to you at all.

Shipping and handling charges also apply to all expedites, regardless of order amount, since Southern must incur additional charges to get emergency orders to you.

Shipping and handling charges appear on your quote and on your order acknowledgment, very early in the order-make-ship-bill process, to remove any guesswork. You know right from your initial order placement what these costs will be, so you can help us manage delivery costs, too.

Coming 4th quarter 2009: FREE PASS. A program that rewards our customers by providing free delivery on fill in items. An announcement from the sales department is expected soon.

Call Customer Service at 888-919-1941 to see how you can receive free freight.

Here is a new chart (10.20.09), with newly negotiated freight rates (better rates, certain lower sales minimums) that will help you understand pallet charges and freight minimums. A $7.50 handling charge per pallet is in addition to these charges. This chart assumes delivery to a business address and no unusual delivery requirements:

State	City	Representative Zip Code	Minimum Order for free freight, otherwise charge per pallet ~400 lbs. or less ===>	$ 55	$ 60	$ 65	$ 70	$ 75	$ 80	$ 85	$ 90
NC	Asheville	28801	$ 1,500			SEF
NC	Charlotte	28201	$ 1,500		SEF
NC	Durham	27701	$ 1,000	R&L
NC	Fayetteville	28301	$ 1,000	R&L
NC	Goldsboro	27530	$ 1,000	R&L
NC	Greensboro	27401	$ 1,000	R&L
NC	Greenville	27833	$ 1,000	R&L
NC	Huntersville	28070	$ 1,500		SEF
NC	Jacksonville	28540	$ 1,000	R&L
NC	Middleburg	27556	$ 1,000	R&L
NC	Raleigh	27615	$ 1,000	R&L
NC	Statesville	28625	$ 1,500		SEF
NC	Wilmington	28401	$ 1,000	R&L
NC	Wilson	27893	$ 1,000	R&L
NC	Winston-Salem	27101	$ 1,000	R&L

SC	Charleston	29401	$ 1,500			SEF
SC	Columbia	29201	$ 1,500			SEF
SC	Florence	29501	$ 1,500			SEF
SC	Greenville/Spartanburg	29601	$ 1,500			SEF
SC	Greenwood	29646	$ 1,500			SEF
SC	Myrtle Beach	29572	$ 1,500			SEF

VA	Danville	24540	$ 1,500			SEF
VA	Fredericksburg	22408	$ 1,500			SEF
VA	Hampton	23668	$ 1,500			SEF
VA	Hopewell	23860	$ 1,500			SEF
VA	Lynchburg	24501	$ 1,500			SEF
VA	Richmond	23218	$ 1,500			SEF
VA	Roanoke	24001	$ 1,500			SEF
VA	Stafford	22554	$ 1,500			SEF
VA	Staunton	24401	$ 1,500			SEF
VA	Virginia Beach	23450	$ 1,500			SEF
VA	Williamsburg	23081	$ 1,500			SEF

GA	Atlanta	30301	$ 1,500				Averitt
GA	Augusta	30901	$ 1,500			SEF
GA	Columbus	31901	$ 1,500					Averitt
GA	Macon	31201	$ 1,500				Averitt
GA	Savannah	31401	$ 1,500				SEF

TN	Chattanooga	37401						Averitt
TN	Clarksville	37040	$ 2,000							Averitt
TN	Jackson	38301	$ 2,000							Averitt
TN	Knoxville	37901	$ 1,500				Averitt
TN	Memphis	37501	$ 2,000								Averitt
TN	Nashville	37201	$ 1,500						Averitt
TN	Oak Ridge	37830	$ 1,500				Averitt