FAQs
Last update June 2023

Communication and Scheduling

Each client will receive a specific email address for communications to ensure any questions are answered in a timely and orderly manner.  Our team will respond within 8 business hours of email receipt.

We ask our clients to not text or send additional emails, as this slows down the process.  If you would like to schedule time with our one of our leadership team members or book a dock appointment, please click below.

Business Hours

Indie Do Good’s client business hours are 9am-3pm, Tuesday through Friday, we prefer not to have dock appointments on Mondays.   We ask that our clients schedule dock appointments for inventory drop off.  Please use the link below to book.  When dropping off product, please pull to the back of the building and use the dock doors.  Our team will be expecting you based on your scheduled arrival.  

We ask for at least a 24 hour notice but realize that this may not apply to all situations.

 

Service Level Agreement

Incoming freight is processed and received in our Warehouse Management System within two full business days of receipt.

B2C orders are processed within two business days or based on SOW. Orders received on Saturday and Sunday will be processed and shipped no later than Tuesday. Crowdfunding campaigns, backorders, etc., will be processed within five business days or based on the agreement between Indie Do Good and the client.

 

WAREHOUSE HOURS
Monday through Friday, 8 am – 3:30 pm
HOLIDAYS
Indie Do Good will be closed on the following holidays:
  • New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Eid Adha Observed
  • 4th of July
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Eve, ½ day
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year’s Eve, ½ day
Orders will be processed within two full business days following the holiday.
Holiday shipping examples:
  • Wednesday – closed, order processed by EOD Friday
  • Thursday – closed, order processed by EOD Monday
  • Friday  – closed, order processed by EOD Tuesday

Fees & Pricing 

Late Payments 

Late payments may bear interest at the rate of 1.5% per month and/or fees.  If clients are delinquent or consistently late in payments, Indie Do Good has a right to stop shipments until payments are received. 

Billing Cycles 

Indie Do Good bills weekly for shipping charges.  All accounts are a net 7 and 15 payment terms unless otherwise noted in the Master Service Agreement.   

Your Guide to Warehouse Acronyms

Acronyms are a common language in the warehousing and fulfillment industry. We use them to communicate efficiently and save time. But we understand that it can be overwhelming for those not familiar with the terminology. At Indie Do Good, we want to make sure you have a clear understanding of the processes and concepts involved in warehousing and fulfillment because we are your trusted partner. So, let’s demystify some of the common acronyms and make sure that when you smile and nod, it’s because you truly understand.

WMS – Warehouse Management System: Every good warehouse needs a Warehouse Management System. It’s the software that keeps track of inventory, ensures accurate and timely order fulfillment, and essentially serves as the brains of the operation. With a WMS, you can easily track serial numbers and lot codes, eliminating the need for manual spreadsheets and ensuring better quality control.  At Indie Do Good, our WMS is actually and ERP and we utilize a middleware called Dropstream to communicate with our partners.

TMS – Transportation Management System: Just like a WMS, a Transportation Management System is crucial for managing shipping rules specific to your business. Whether you have unique shipping requirements or need to ship certain orders via specific methods, a TMS helps streamline the process and ensures efficient transportation logistics. 

3PL – Third Party Logistics: Outsourcing the distribution services of your business to a specialized provider like Indie Do Good. We handle the warehousing, fulfillment, logistics, kitting, and projects allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business.

SP – Small Parcel: Any package that doesn’t require shipping on a pallet falls into the small parcel category. These packages are picked up by carriers and transported through their network for delivery to consumers or businesses. Typical transit time is 1-5 days within the continental US, depending on the distance between the warehouse and the destination.

LTL – Less than Truckload: When you have an order weighing 250 lbs. or more, it’s most cost-effective to ship it on a pallet using the Less than Truckload (LTL) network. LTL shipping refers to shipping inventory on pallets when the pallet count is less than a full truckload. It’s important to consider factors such as liftgate service for residential areas or buildings without a dock to ensure smooth and timely delivery.  Our Logistics Director works with you to ensure you are familiar with the process if you are managing yourself or we do it for you.

AMZ – Amazon: No introduction is needed for this industry giant.  

DC – Distribution Center: A warehouse specifically used for storing and shipping products. Distribution centers play a crucial role in the supply chain, ensuring efficient movement of goods from manufacturers to retailers or end consumers.  Indie Do Good fulfills this role for you.

FBA – Fulfilled by Amazon: An option for sellers to offer their products within the Amazon network. Sellers ship their products to an Amazon distribution center, where they are stored and fulfilled by Amazon. Inventory levels are adjusted based on sales data and seasonal demands, giving you greater control and visibility.

FBM – Fulfilled by Merchant: Another option for sellers to sell their products on the Amazon website. In this case, the product is sold through Amazon but fulfilled by the merchant or another organization. You, as the business owner, have control over the inventory stored in the warehouse.

B2B – Business to Business: Selling your products to other businesses, such as large retailers like Target, Walmart, or REI. The goal is to sell your products in larger quantities for retailers to sell to consumers. Often, your products will need to enter the retail environment through their distribution centers.

B2C – Business to Consumer: Selling your brand or products directly to consumers. This can be done through your own ecommerce website or by partnering with retailers who offer the option to sell your products on their branded sites while still fulfilling orders independently or through a 3PL like Indie Do Good.

D2C – A type of digital business model where the manufacturer and/or producer sells products or produce directly to consumers from their web store (i.e. business to consumer).

DTS – Direct to Store: In a B2B model, this refers to distributing products directly to retail stores instead of going through a retail distribution center network.

EDI – Electronic Data Interchange: A standardized method for businesses to exchange data electronically. EDI is commonly used for B2B order processing but can also be utilized in some B2C scenarios.

OMS – Order Management System: A software solution that allows brands to apply rules and control the flow of orders. An OMS sits “before” the warehouse management system and helps streamline the order processing and fulfillment process.

QC – Quality Control: The processes and measures in place to ensure the quality and accuracy of products and services. Quality control is vital for maintaining customer satisfaction and reducing errors.

LPN – License Plate Number: A unique identifier assigned to represent the contents of a pallet. LPNs are used to streamline inventory movement within the warehouse and improve efficiency.

SCN – Serialized Carton Number: A unique number assigned to a carton, which is then linked to an order. The SCN serves as a reference throughout the fulfillment process and aids in tracking the contents of each carton in a multi-carton order.

SPN – Serialized Pallet Number: An identifier tied to a pallet that is assigned to the various SCNs within that pallet. The SPN helps identify the contents within a specific pallet, enhancing inventory management and tracking capabilities.

BOL – Bill of Lading: A detailed list of items that travels with the freight, serving as a chain of custody between the shipper, freight company, and receiver.

BOM – Bill of Materials: A list of items and their respective quantities used to support a project. The BOM ensures that the correct number of items per SKU are pulled for quality purposes.

SPC – Statistical Process Control: The application of consistent data-driven decision-making to control and improve quality processes. SPC helps maintain high standards by establishing quality checkpoints and ensuring accuracy during large-scale production.

POD – Proof of Delivery: Documentation or confirmation that a shipment has reached its intended destination.

FTL – Full Truckload: Shipments that require enough pallets to fill an entire truck, securing dedicated space for transportation.

TL – Truckload: A shortened acronym for Full Truckload, representing shipments that fill an entire truck.

API – Application Programming Interface: The language or set of protocols used for systems to communicate and share data.

ASN – Advance Ship Notification: A pack slip sent in advance of a shipment to provide notification of what is expected to arrive.

FIFO – First in, First out: A method used to manage inventory where the oldest items are shipped or sold first. This ensures that products are used or sold before newer inventory, reducing the risk of expiration or obsolescence.

LIFO – Last in, First out: The opposite of FIFO, where the most recently received items are shipped or sold first. This method is used when it is necessary or advantageous to use or sell newer inventory before older inventory.

FEFO – First Expiration Date, First Out: This method applies to products with expiration dates. It ensures that items with the oldest expiration dates are shipped or sold first, ensuring the usage of the oldest products before they expire.

At Indie Do Good, we believe in transparent communication and ensuring our clients have a clear understanding of the warehousing and fulfillment processes. So, if you ever come across an acronym or term that leaves you scratching your head, don’t hesitate to ask us for clarification. We’re here to make sure you have the knowledge and confidence to navigate the world of logistics!

The purpose of this page is to provide clients with general information. This is not legally binding copy.