Double passage 2: a freight rate increase (letter + e-mail)

Swiftline Freight, 48 Dockside Road, Port Allard

July 1

Dear Valued Customer,

Over the past year, rising fuel and labor costs have made it increasingly difficult for us to maintain our current rates. We are therefore writing to inform you that, effective August 1, our standard rate for pallet shipments within the region will increase from $85 to $94 per pallet.

We understand that this change may affect your budget. To soften its impact, customers who sign a twelve-month service agreement before July 31 will keep the current rate of $85 until the end of the year. In addition, customers who ship more than 100 pallets per month will continue to receive free next-day tracking reports.

If you have any questions, please contact your account representative. We thank you for your continued business.

Sincerely,

Marcus Lunde, Director of Customer Accounts

To: Peter Galloway

From: Ines Carvalho

Date: July 8

Subject: Swiftline rates

Peter,

I'm sure you've seen Swiftline's letter about the new rate. We currently send them about 120 pallets a month, so the increase would add more than $1,000 to our monthly shipping costs.

I've asked two other carriers for quotes. Bramford Logistics offered $90 per pallet but couldn't guarantee next-day delivery to our northern stores. Orchid Transport offered $88, but they operate only on weekdays, and we often need Saturday deliveries.

Given these options, I think our best choice is to stay with Swiftline and lock in the current rate. I'd like your approval to sign the agreement by the end of next week, well before their deadline.

Ines