Archived How are the ISM pallets handled?

[The Mule]

After having worked Flow for a number of years and as a Signing TM of a year now, I've often wondered how the ISM pallets come to us. Are these assembled in any way at the DC or are they basically a PIPO pallet that you receive from another source? Are there any special instructions for when product is loaded on top of these pallets to stop anything from being damaged? We've had a lot of incidents lately of damaged signage coming in and we've had to send some feedback to our DC.

I'm not calling anyone out on these forums obviously, if you are here you are surely someone who tries to be good at their job. Still though, are some workers known for not being especially careful on some loads? Speed is king, I can understand that as we can unload a 2500 piece truck in 50 minutes flat. I just have had a lot of questions lately and was wondering if I could get some answers from those at the DC level.

 

[DrSigning85]

I wonder if ours come from the same DC, as my pallets this week were pretty messed up and I'm in MI as well.. one of the pallets was on basically a 30 degree angle on both axis and we also had signing/fixtures just sitting on the floor of the truck, no pallet but was still wrapped in red.

Our Flow TL just took pictures and reported it. This was the worst I've seen

 

[commiecorvus]

Mine must have come from the same place, two pallets pretty much blew up all over the the truck. We had to take them out one piece at a time for the big stuff. Talk about slowing down the unload.

 

[DCdude]

They come loaded on a trailer pre made and shrink wrapped. They have a new vendor doing them so some feedback would be good.

 

[TargetOldTimer]

They are assembled, wrapped, then shipped to your DC.



Old Target useless fact; Signing used to be assembled at "Skunk Hollow". I can't remember whether it was the name of the city or the company, but it was how we referred to where signing came from...

 

[smurf101]

Mine must have come from the same place, two pallets pretty much blew up all over the the truck. We had to take them out one piece at a time for the big stuff. Talk about slowing down the unload.

I have the problem on a regular basis. their fork lifts ruins so many of my signs. then they use the over sized pallets and make a tepee of the boxes and wrap them like that. the major issue, is when they put bendable, breakable signs on the bottom and then throw my store supplies or displays on top of all of it. our softlines rail signing almost always comes in with one of the boxes damaged. another issue is when they wrap it so tight they bend all the skinny signs like the mmb and electronics signing. the Christmas signing boxes were not taped well, and some of my hardware was missing. just to name a few of the issues.

 

[commiecorvus]

I have the problem on a regular basis. their fork lifts ruins so many of my signs. then they use the over sized pallets and make a tepee of the boxes and wrap them like that. the major issue, is when they put bendable, breakable signs on the bottom and then throw my store supplies or displays on top of all of it. our softlines rail signing almost always comes in with one of the boxes damaged. another issue is when they wrap it so tight they bend all the skinny signs like the mmb and electronics signing. the Christmas signing boxes were not taped well, and some of my hardware was missing. just to name a few of the issues.

So true.
I did notice this year that they started using strapping tape on the boxes instead of just the standard paper tape so I didn't have as many busted open which was nice.
Considering that just about every signing person I've talked to has the same issues I'd love to see someone work on this issue.

 

[TargetOldTimer]

I know space is money, but it would be soo nice to have signing separated from store supplies. I have so little spare time, I hate having to deliver all the other departments supplies just because I was the one to open the pallet! Does anyone else have to deliver pharmacy, front lanes and office supplies?

 

[commiecorvus]

I know space is money, but it would be soo nice to have signing separated from store supplies. I have so little spare time, I hate having to deliver all the other departments supplies just because I was the one to open the pallet! Does anyone else have to deliver pharmacy, front lanes and office supplies?

I thought that was our job.... looks around at all the other signing specialists.

 

[Formina Sage]

I thought that was our job.... looks around at all the other signing specialists.

Yeah I do it, just because no one else would. Anyone else get an obscene amount of photo supplies? Like, 10 boxes of the envelopes that they use? I just don't even bother bringing them up front and stuff them in back with all their chemicals.

 

[smurf101]

my job too. has been for almost 10 years now. i do the ordering, for most of it, so i get to deliver it. (i don't order pharmacy) but the rest of the store i do, food ave, front end, back end, upside down end, inside out end, you name it, i order it............. michigan based also. i am tired of bent boxes of signing. lets just see how tight we can wrap this pallet.

so what do you all think of the two separate deliveries a week now? specially when you don't get signing hours on both days, then logistics is on you to get it broken down and delivered.

 

[dustbunny]

I thought that was our job.... looks around at all the other signing specialists.

Actually if you read about breaking down pallets, it's the Receiving team member's job to distribute the store supplies.

What I most hate about my signing pallets is that they are always over stacked with the heaviest possible box on top. It really scares me some times.

 

[TargetOldTimer]

I don't know about you guys, but my fixtures and signing have been wrapped in Red shrink, and the rest of the store's supplies are clear shrink with red tape for about 3 months.

I just printed out best practice and showed them that it was receiving's job to do the clear pallets....

 

[dustbunny]

Most of the time the store supplies are on a separate pallet, but sometimes they get mixed in with the signing pallet as well.

 

[commiecorvus]

Yesterday both of the pallets had signs that was crushed and bent.
I'm going to have to order more and hope against hope that it comes in before we do the set.
I'm sorry but if you don't know how to build a pallet so that the boxes don't get damaged, you should ask for help or get more training.

 

[Formina Sage]

Actually if you read about breaking down pallets, it's the Receiving team member's job to distribute the store supplies.

What I most hate about my signing pallets is that they are always over stacked with the heaviest possible box on top. It really scares me some times.

^This. When I order replenishment cardstock/sign paper, those boxes are always on top of everything lol.