Warehouse Receiving Services in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

The most important aspects when selecting warehouse receiving services in the UP are location and accessibility. You need reliable access to major routes like US-2 or M-28 that carriers can reach efficiently year-round. Beyond location, you’ll also want to consider:

• Licensing and insurance: Proper licensing and cargo liability protection for your goods
• Facility capabilities: Loading docks and equipment suitable for your freight type
• Winter preparedness: Clear access roads, climate-controlled facilities, and weather protocols
• Operating flexibility: Hours and scheduling that reasonably align with carrier delivery windows

Guindon Moving & Storage operates directly from our Escanaba facility. “We are located right next door to US-41 and M-35, essential routes for access to the Upper Peninsula,” mentions Guindon’s co-owner Scott Jensen, with over 40 years of industry experience. We maintain full licensing, cargo liability coverage, proper loading equipment, and 45,000 square feet of climate-controlled storage space. Having operated in the UP for decades, we’re well prepared to keep our facility accessible during heavy snow and to coordinate with carriers to adjust schedules as weather demands.

According to the 2025 Q3 update on warehousing and fulfillment costs by WarehousingAndFulfillment.com, the cost of receiving in the Midwest United States averages $36.88 per hour and $9.09 per pallet. The pricing models used for warehouse receiving services usually vary between jobs based on the scope. The most common structures for receiving and inspection include per-pallet or per-hundredweight (CWT) rates, flat monthly fees, or hourly labor charges. Additional charges often apply for:

• After-hours receiving outside standard business hours
• Appointment scheduling for time-specific deliveries
• Special services like freight photography or detailed inventory documentation
• Extended storage beyond initial grace periods

At Guindon Moving & Storage, we don’t force a one-size-fits-all model. We’ll discuss your volume, frequency, and special handling requirements to provide transparent pricing that fits your needs. “Our pricing includes any extra services up front, like short-term storage or freight forwarding, so you can budget accurately without surprises,” adds Scott Jensen, Guindon Movign & Storage co-owner.

The size of your shipment will determine the shipping and receiving options you’ll need for your services. Here are your options and their requirements:

Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipments share trailer space with other freight and arrive on scheduled routes, which requires unloading partial shipments, verifying piece counts, and often storing them until pickup. “Customers only pay for the portion of the truck they actually use. This especially benefits small to medium-sized shipments that don’t require the full capacity of a truck,” notes the National Motor Freight Traffic Association.

Full Truckload (FTL) shipments dedicate an entire trailer to a single customer’s goods, requiring immediate unloading capability, enough dock space for 53-foot trailers, and staff able to handle large-volume shipments.

Guindon Moving & Storage handles both seamlessly. When your LTL freight arrives from the carrier, we receive it with care, document everything, and store it until you’re ready. For FTL shipments—office furniture, industrial equipment, or retail inventory—we have the dock capacity, equipment, and staff to unload and process without a hiccup. “Our flexibility means you don’t need multiple partners as your needs change,” emphasizes Guindon co-owner Scott Jensen, “We’re a one-stop shop for receiving.”

Professional warehouse receiving providers maintain detailed documentation for every shipment. “Incoming materials must be checked for accuracy against the purchase order, and any damaged or incorrect items must be documented,” explains Supply Chain Management Education. Expect to receive:

• Arrival notification: Date, time, carrier information, and piece count verification
• Condition documentation: Photographs documenting shipment condition upon arrival
• Damage or discrepancy notes: Immediate documentation of visible issues
• Signed receipts: Copies of delivery receipts and Bills of Lading (BOLs) for your records

Communication varies by provider, but expect at least an email or phone notification. Some providers may offer online portals for tracking history and scheduling pickups.

At Guindon Moving & Storage, we keep you up to date on all of the above, notifying you the same day shipments arrive. We check every box and ensure everything is in order before passing your shipment to the next step of the process. “We contact you immediately if we notice anything concerning,” assures Guindon co-owner Scott Jensen. Our files are kept organized, so information is readily available even months later.

When freight arrives damaged or with issues, trustworthy companies follow these rules:

• Immediate inspection: Note visible damage, shortages, or overages on the carrier’s receipt before the driver leaves
• Documentation: Photograph damage from multiple angles with written records
• Concealed damage: Document discoveries and preserve evidence when damage is hidden
• Discrepancy resolution: Verify counts and conditions against bills of lading and contact the carrier and customer
• Severe damage refusal: “Depending on the severity and extent of the damage, [the receiver] may decide to reject the entire shipment, or accept it with reservations,” informs this LinkedIn article.

Guindon Moving & Storage follows all of the above steps in the unfortunate event that there’s an issue with a shipment. If your shipment contains incorrect items or quantities, we will contact you immediately to determine next steps—refuse delivery, accept with exceptions, or coordinate returns. “We’ve handled freight claims for decades. We have it down to a science, so we can help resolve any issues as quickly as possible,” assured Guindon co-owner Scott Jensen.

Most facilities accept general commercial freight like palletized goods, crated items, boxed merchandise, and standard inventory. Some restrictions do apply, though, such as:

• Hazardous materials: Flammables, chemicals, or compressed gases requiring special licensing
• Perishable goods: Items needing refrigeration beyond facility capabilities
• High-value items: Jewelry, currency, or electronics exceeding insurance limits
• Oversized or extremely heavy freight: Items requiring specialized equipment or advance notice

While they may seem nitpicky, these restrictions are meant to protect the safety and liability of both the customer, carrier, and receiver. 

Guindon Moving & Storage accepts a wide range of commercial and household goods—office furniture, business inventory, personal belongings, appliances, and both palletized freight and irregularly shaped items. Our climate-controlled warehouse is perfect for protecting temperature-sensitive items like electronics, artwork, or documents while they wait to go to their final destination. “Our restrictions are standard across the industry, such as hazardous materials or items valued beyond our coverage,” informs Scott Jensen, Guindon co-owner.