Some Kaplan Early Learning Company products are too large, heavy, or bulky to ship through a standard parcel carrier such as UPS. These products, identified as Truck Delivery, are typically shipped by a Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) freight carrier.
Icon to indicate the item is shipping by LTL:
If your order includes a Truck Item, the order will be charged at the applicable truck shipping rate. Understanding how freight delivery works—and preparing your location before the shipment arrives—can help ensure a smooth delivery experience.
How Long Does Truck Delivery Take?
What to Do When the Truck Arrives
For the best delivery experienceHow Long Does Truck Delivery Take?
Please allow approximately 4–8 business days for truck delivery.
Delivery time begins after your order has been processed and is ready to ship. Carrier transit times can vary based on the delivery location, shipment size, carrier capacity, weather, holidays, and other transportation conditions.
Orders designated for truck delivery:
- Are not eligible for Next Day or 2nd Day Air shipping.
- Cannot be delivered to a PO Box.
- Cannot be delivered to APO/FPO addresses.
- Require a physical delivery address that can accommodate a commercial freight vehicle.
Before Your Order Ships
Provide an Accurate Delivery Address and Phone Number
Please provide the complete delivery address and a reliable daytime telephone number when placing your order.
Freight carriers may use this number to arrange or confirm delivery. Your contact information is provided only to companies involved in fulfilling and delivering your order.
If your delivery location has special requirements—such as limited receiving hours, restricted truck access, a construction site, a school delivery schedule, or another condition that could affect delivery—please let Kaplan know when placing your order.
Make Sure the Delivery Location Can Accommodate a Freight Truck
LTL freight is delivered using commercial trucks, which can be significantly larger than parcel delivery vehicles.
Before delivery, consider whether your location has:
- Adequate truck access.
- A loading dock or designated receiving area.
- Gates, security checkpoints, or restricted entrances.
- Limited receiving hours.
- School or facility access restrictions.
- Construction or road conditions that could prevent a truck from reaching the receiving area.
Please communicate unusual access conditions to Kaplan as early as possible. Additional carrier services or charges may apply when special delivery arrangements are required.
Scheduling Your Delivery
Someone Must Be Available to Receive the Shipment
Freight deliveries generally require someone to be present to accept and sign for the shipment. Please make sure an authorized person is available during the scheduled delivery window.
Carriers commonly contact the receiving location before delivery; however, customers should not assume that every shipment will receive a call immediately before the truck arrives.
If the carrier contacts you to schedule an appointment, please respond promptly. Delays in scheduling may delay delivery and, in some circumstances, result in additional carrier storage or redelivery charges.
Be Prepared to Unload Your ShipmentStandard LTL freight delivery should not be confused with an inside or white-glove delivery service.
Unless additional services have been specifically arranged, you should be prepared to receive and unload your shipment at the carrier's standard delivery point.
Before delivery, consider:
- How large and heavy the products may be.
- Whether you have a loading dock or forklift.
- Whether additional people will be needed to safely receive the shipment.
- How the products will be moved from the receiving area into your building.
Do not assume the freight driver will move products inside your building, unpack cartons, assemble products, or place products in individual rooms.
If you believe your location will require special delivery assistance, please contact Kaplan before your order ships so we can discuss available options.
What to Do When the Truck Arrives
Before signing the carrier's delivery receipt, take a few minutes to inspect the shipment. Your signature acknowledges receipt of the shipment, so this is an important step.
1. Count the Cartons or Handling Units
Compare the number of cartons, pallets, or other handling units received with the quantity shown on the carrier's delivery receipt.
If something is missing, note the shortage on the delivery receipt before signing.
For example:
"Received 4 of 5 cartons – 1 carton missing."
Do not sign that the shipment was received complete if you can clearly see that part of the shipment is missing.
2. Inspect the Shipment for Visible Damage
Freight cartons may occasionally show scuffs, dents, tears, or other signs of handling during transportation. A damaged carton does not necessarily mean the product inside is damaged.
However, if a carton, pallet, or product appears significantly damaged, make a specific note on the carrier's delivery receipt before signing it.
Rather than simply writing "damaged," provide as much detail as possible, such as:
"Carton crushed on right side with visible tear."
or
"Pallet wrap torn; two cartons visibly damaged."
If possible, take photographs of the shipment while it is still on the truck or in the delivery area. Photos of the damaged carton, pallet, shipping label, and product can be extremely helpful if a freight claim is necessary.
3. Sign the Delivery Receipt
After counting and inspecting the shipment, sign the carrier's delivery receipt and retain a copy whenever possible.
If you identified a shortage or visible damage, make sure your notation appears on the delivery receipt before you sign it.
Avoid signing a delivery receipt indicating that everything was received "in good condition" if you can see evidence of damage.
What If I Discover Damage After the Driver Leaves?Sometimes a carton appears fine externally, but damage is discovered after it is opened. This is often referred to as concealed damage.
Please inspect and unpack your shipment as soon as reasonably possible after delivery. If you discover damage:
- Keep the product and its original packaging.
- Take photographs of the product and packaging.
- Keep the shipping label when possible.
- Record the item number and quantity affected.
- Contact Kaplan Customer Service promptly.
Please do not discard damaged products, cartons, pallets, or packaging until Kaplan has provided instructions. The carrier or Kaplan may need this information to investigate the shipment or process a freight claim.
What If Something Is Missing?
If the number of cartons delivered does not match the carrier's delivery receipt, note the shortage before signing and contact Kaplan.
If all cartons listed on the delivery receipt were received but an item is missing after the cartons are unpacked, contact Kaplan Customer Service. This may be a packing or fulfillment issue rather than a carrier shortage, and our team can help investigate.
What If No One Is Available for Delivery?Please make every effort to have someone available once a delivery has been scheduled.
If the carrier is unable to complete delivery because no one is available, the location is closed, the truck cannot access the receiving area, or the shipment cannot otherwise be accepted, the carrier may need to return at another time. Fees may apply.
Redelivery, storage, or other additional carrier charges may apply when a delivery cannot be completed for reasons outside of Kaplan's or the carrier's control.
Special Delivery Needs
Standard freight delivery may not include services such as:
- Inside delivery.
- Liftgate service.
- Unpacking or debris removal.
- Product assembly.
- Placement in classrooms or individual rooms.
- Delivery during a specific narrow time window.
- Delivery to a location with restricted commercial truck access.
If you need special assistance, please contact Kaplan before your order ships. We can help determine what delivery options may be available and whether additional charges apply.
A Few Minutes of Preparation Makes a Difference
For the best delivery experience:
- Provide an accurate delivery address, contact name and phone number.
- Make sure your facility can accommodate a commercial freight truck.
- Have someone available to receive the shipment.
- Plan in advance for unloading and moving your products.
- Count the shipment before signing.
- Inspect for visible damage and document anything unusual on the delivery receipt.
- Take photos when damage is visible.
- Unpack and inspect your products promptly after delivery.
- Keep packaging if you discover damage.
- Contact Kaplan promptly if anything is damaged, missing, or incorrect.
Our goal is to make receiving your Kaplan order as easy as possible. If you have questions about your shipment or believe your location has special delivery requirements, please contact Kaplan Customer Service before delivery so we can help you prepare.