Our publishing standards
We publish carrier rate changes, surcharge schedules and cost analysis. These standards explain how we source that information, label estimates and correct errors.
Published data only
Every tool and every rate table on this site is built from data the carriers publish: list rates, weekly fuel surcharge indices, published zone structures, dimensional divisors and announced general rate increases. Each one names its source and the date that source was effective, and when a carrier updates a schedule we update the table and the date together.
Public tools do not include client-specific negotiated incentives, contract minimums or invoice details. Those remain private within the engagement.
What we will not publish
- Client names, without written permission. Case studies are described by profile and spend band because carrier agreements are confidential.
- We do not share another shipper's negotiated terms or confidential agreement.
- Invented statistics. If we cannot point at a source for a figure, we do not print the figure.
- A savings percentage presented as what you will get. Ranges are labeled as ranges and the basis is shown.
- Curves or charts implying client figures we do not have. Where a chart shows the shape of a change rather than real amounts, it is indexed and captioned as such.
Who writes this
Our analysis is written by people with carrier pricing and account management experience, including twenty-five years at UPS. Negotiation commentary draws on that experience.
Carrier rate coverage is attributed to ebb Logistics because it is produced by the team.
Sources and dating
We link to the carrier's announcement where available. Transcribed figures include the retrieval date so readers can check the source and timing.
Where we cite an industry figure we did not produce, we say whose it is.
How this archive is maintained
Older articles retain their original publication dates. They document the schedules in effect at that time. Where later coverage supersedes an article, we link to the newer information.
Where a piece has been materially updated after publication, the update date is shown alongside the original.
Use of AI
We use software, including AI tools, in the production of this site: to process and format imported archive content, to help draft and edit, and inside the audit engine to read contract documents. Every published figure, carrier claim and rate table is checked by a person against its source before it goes out, and the analysis and judgments are ours.
A person reviews AI-assisted articles and verifies pricing questions and answers before publication.
Independence
We are paid by shippers, on contingency against recovery or a share of documented savings. We take no commission, referral fee or other payment from any carrier, and no carrier sponsors, reviews or approves anything published here.
Our commercial relationships do not give carriers control over the analysis we publish.
Corrections
Please report errors. We correct them and date any correction that changes an article's meaning.
Use the contact details in the footer to send a correction.