Chapter XV - Business By Express
- 1. Two kinds.
- 2. Instructions.
- 3. The company's duty.
- 4. Collections by express.
- 5. C. 0. D. by express.
- 6. Money by express.
- 7. Money orders.
There are two kinds of expresses, viz.: local and general. The names describe the provinces of each, though a general express may do a local business.
All express companies are common carriers.
The carrying business done by our express companies is enormous. They have their own special cars attached to passenger and fast freight trains, and their goods are given special departments in water transportation.
If living between two towns, it is always better to have your letters and express business done through one office.
INSTRUCTIONS
When ordering material by express, make sure that you give the address, to which you wish it sent, in such a way that a mistake on the part of the forwarder will be out of the question.
If you send away goods by express, make sure that they are securely packed, and be equally sure that the address is clearly written and in a large hand. It would be better if the address could be painted on with a brush.
If you should send perishable stuff, like meat, flowers, glass, or fruit, be sure to label the package "perishable" or "Handle with care, glass."
On long distance transportation prepayment is required; on short distances it is optional.
It is always better to get from the express agent a receipt for the matter taken in charge.
Take care to put your own address on the lower left-hand corner of the package to be sent.
If the person to whom the parcel is sent cannot be found, the address will enable the express company to notify the sender at once of the fact.
When sending any goods by express, it is always prudent to notify the person for whom they are intended of the fact by mail, and also to state the company by which the matter was sent and the date of shipment.
THE COMPANY'S DUTY
The express company must always require, on delivering goods, a receipt from the receiver.
If the goods should be received by a second person, on behalf of the consignee, he must sign the consignee's name, and under that his own.
If a package appears to be damaged in transmission, the express company must permit the receiver to examine it before signing. He may refuse to sign or to accept in any way, if the goods are injured, or not as he ordered.
Express companies are responsible for all damages sustained by goods while in their charge.
COLLECTIONS BY EXPRESS
All the large express companies have the machinery for collecting accounts and notes whenever they have branch offices.
Such companies are reliable collectors. Their services are prompt and their charges reasonable.
Where an express company fails to collect, notice is promptly given with the reasons for failure.
When you wish an express company to collect, it will be necessary for you to make out a statement of the account. This is placed in a special envelope, provided by the company. It is properly indorsed and handed to the company's representative.
The company charges a small fee for collection, whether it succeeds or not. In any case the fee is not much above a fourth of one per cent, unless there should be unusual trouble.