Kiln Delivery Day Guide

& Motor Freight Considerations

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Kiln Delivery Day: A Tale

KILN DELIVERY DAY: What to Expect

Think about the day your kiln arrives—you're excited and ready to bring it into your studio and start firing! A big semi-truck, with a 50+ foot trailer, pulls up to your driveway. The driver starts the unloading process by opening the truck’s back door, lifting it up, and wheeling the kiln with a pallet jack to the liftgate. From there, the kiln is gently lowered to the ground.

If your driveway is clear, smooth, and flat, the driver will carefully wheel the kiln over to a sheltered spot out of the weather, giving you plenty of time to inspect the delivery. You’ll want to take a careful look—if everything is perfect, you can happily accept the kiln, sign off on the bill of lading, and bring it into your studio. 

If there's any minor visible damage to the packaging or pallet, you’ll need to ask the driver for an exception number and write it, along with a brief description of the damage, next to the signature line on the bill of lading. (The exception number lets the carrier know that there is a problem so that they can begin tracking and managing the claim.) Be sure that you note any damage and the exception number on the bill of lading on the driver’s copy BEFORE you sign. In rare cases, when there is obvious visible damage, you’ll need to refuse the delivery altogether. Just be sure not to sign the bill of lading if you refuse the shipment. 

Before the driver leaves, you’ll take photos of the shipment. Be sure to capture every angle AND take a photo of the bill of lading in front of the kiln. You want to make sure that everything is well-documented so that if there are any issues, you can handle them more easily. If your kiln is delivered during Jen-Ken business hours (Tues - Fri, 8 am to 4 pm), you can even give us a call at (863) 648-0585 so that we can answer any of your questions before the driver leaves. See section X below for examples of what to look for and what a description of damage might look like.

Once you're satisfied and ready to go, you can move the kiln into your studio, remove the packaging materials, unbox the kiln, and begin setting it up. Before long, you'll be firing away!

Please review the shipping policy below for an important step-by-step guide on receiving your kiln on delivery day, along with details on shipping costs, restrictions, and helpful tips to ensure a smooth delivery process!

Delivery Day Instructions

1. Before your kiln arrives

MEASURE DOORWAYS

Ensure all doorways that the kiln will need to pass through are wide enough for it to fit. Some kilns may require removing the door from its hinges to fit through. If you're unsure, please call us so we can confirm the dimensions.

CLEAR THE PATH

Clear the path to the kiln’s installation point, ensuring there are no obstructions or debris.

MOVE OLD KILN & PREPARE YOUR STUDIO

If replacing an old kiln, unplug and empty it, then move it out of the way. Ensure your studio is ready for the new kiln installation.

  • Adult Signature Required: Ensure that someone 18 years or older is present to sign for the delivery.
  • Review Instructions: Please review the full shipping policy and delivery instructions before your kiln arrives.

2. Inspect the shipment upon delivery

Carefully inspect the kiln and its packaging for any signs of damage before signing for the delivery. Even if no obvious damage is visible, concealed damage may still exist. Refer to Section 2 for instructions on documenting any issues.

LOOK FOR:

  • Scuffs, nicks, dents, or seams/folds in the packaging.
  • Brick dust visible in the pallet
  • Broken pallet boards
  • Torn shrink wrap
  • Crushed top
  • Crushed or missing “Do Not Stack” signs on top of the pallet
  • Any other irregularities

Refuse the shipment and notify us immediately if the freight shipment shows clear or visible signs of actual kiln damage.

3. Document Any Damage

If the shipping container shows signs of wear or damage but the kiln appears intact, you may accept the shipment. However, document the condition on the driver’s copy of the Bill of Lading near the signature line at the time of delivery (see #3 below).

WRITE A CLEAR DESCRIPTION

Clearly note any observed or suspected issues directly on the bill of lading near your signature. Examples include:

  • “Box bent”
  • “Broken boards”
  • “Shrinkwrap torn”
  • “Brick dust visible”
  • “Concealed damage”
  • “Damage to package”
  • “Might be damaged”
  • “Suspected Damage”

UNSURE OF DAMAGE?

If you are unsure about possible damage, write “Damaged” or “Suspected damage.” This preserves your right to file a claim without obligating you to do so.

OBTAIN AN EXCEPTION NUMBER

Ask the driver for an exception number for the shipment. The driver must call the carrier to report the damage and obtain the exception. Make sure this number is noted on the driver’s portion of the Bill of Lading, near the damage description and signature line.

4. Take LOTS of photos

If your kiln arrives with visible damage or packaging concerns, take as many photos as you need to document everything well. There is no such thing as too many! Take these photos before signing the Bill of Lading:

  • The entire kiln on the pallet from multiple angles
  • Close-ups of any damage to the kiln, bricks, or components
  • The top of the kiln, including any crushed or missing “Do Not Stack” signs
  • Torn or punctured shrink wrap
  • Broken or splintered pallet boards
  • Any dents, scuffs, or visible impact points on the packaging
  • Brick dust or debris visible in the crate or around the kiln
  • The Bill of Lading with your damage notes clearly visible
  • The Bill of Lading in FRONT of the kiln shipment
  • The kiln’s serial number and any identifying labels on the box
  • The freight truck and its license plate (if possible)

Taking multiple clear photos will help document any damage and assist in the claims process. If you have any concerns, contact us immediately before signing for the shipment.

5. Sign the Bill of Lading

  • Write a detailed description of any damage near the signature line (see above).
  • Include the exception number (if applicable) provided by the driver (see above).

Sign the portion of the Bill of Lading retained by the driver (typically the top section of the document).

REMINDER: Do NOT sign the bill of lading outright if there is any suspected damage. Signing for freight without any other documentation implies acceptance of the shipment as delivered, making you responsible for all repair, replacement, and associated shipping costs.

6. Notify Jen-Ken Kilns

Notify Jen-Ken Kilns as soon as possible if you report damage or refuse a shipment. Freight carriers typically require damage claims to be filed promptly, so timely notification helps us submit all necessary documentation within the required timeframe.

Please call us at (863) 648-0585 or email jenkenkilns@gmail.com, and we will respond during business hours (Tuesday - Friday, 8 am - 4 pm).

KILN SHIPPING POLICY & INSTRUCTIONS

Review detailed information on shipping costs, payment methods, available carriers, processing and delivery times, key considerations, order tracking, and return policies.

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