A freight company receives a quote request: "Need to send some goods from Manchester to Rotterdam, please quote." No weight, no dimensions, no pallet count, no dates. The sales team replies asking for details. The customer replies two days later with a weight but no dimensions. Another round of questions follows. By then, a competitor that asked for everything upfront has already quoted.
Freight quotes need specific details. Capturing them first time wins business.
Step 1: know what you need
A freight quote usually requires collection and delivery addresses, the number of pieces or pallets, weight and dimensions of each, the type of goods, whether anything is hazardous, whether goods are stackable, the service level needed and the collection and delivery dates. Roofers capture a similar set of practical details before quoting, as described in roofing quote requests that need photos and access.
Step 2: explain why dimensions matter
Many shippers do not realise that dimensions affect price as much as weight. A short explanation helps them provide accurate information.
Step 3: ask about the goods
The type of goods affects handling, insurance and documentation. Hazardous goods need special treatment and must be declared.
Step 4: ask about service level
Express, standard or economy? Dedicated or shared load? Knowing the priority helps the team quote the right service.
Step 5: capture it in conversation
SpideyChat for logistics and freight companies asks these questions at any hour, explains your services from your own pages and captures shipment details for the sales team. Service quote capture in general is covered in AI assistant for service quotes.
Shipper: I need to send goods from Manchester to Rotterdam. Assistant: The services page covers road freight to the Netherlands. So the team can quote, could you share how many pallets or pieces there are, the weight and dimensions of each, what the goods are and when they need to be collected and delivered?
Step 6: quote quickly
With complete details, the team can quote the same day. Shippers comparing providers often choose the first accurate quote.
Step 7: follow up
Once quoted, a short follow-up keeps the conversation going. Existing shipments generate status questions, covered in shipment status questions that bury a freight team.
Customs and international shipments
International shipments need customs paperwork, and many shippers do not know what is required. Explaining in general terms what documents are usually needed, and pointing to official guidance, helps shippers prepare. Specific customs questions should go to the team.
Collection and delivery windows
Shippers want to know when goods will be collected and delivered. Explaining typical windows for each service level, and how customers are notified, sets expectations and reduces follow-up questions once the shipment is booked.
Insurance
High-value goods often need additional cover. Explaining what cover is included and what extra options exist helps shippers protect their goods.
E-commerce shippers
Online sellers often need regular shipping and ask about returns and delivery times, similar to questions covered in how ecommerce chatbots handle shipping and returns questions.
Regular shippers
Customers who ship often may want an account with agreed rates. Asking about shipping frequency flags them early.
Setting it up
Write your quote questions and set the assistant to capture them. The guides to installing the widget and training your bot explain how.