This three-paragraph article published in The Buffalo News, about a gift basket and other items stolen from a church, reminds me of the similar problem that occurred years ago.

I was delivering several gift baskets at a community center, and the person in charge told me that we would place the baskets on a table just inside the center’s main door.

We entered the facility a third and final time with the last four baskets. It was easy to see that someone had taken two of the designs, because there was an empty space on the table where there was none about two minutes before.

Thankfully, I was paid in full before the delivery. But what if I wasn’t? I’m sure the person in charge would not have paid me for the missing gift baskets, even though it was not my fault.

How can you keep this situation from happening to you during a delivery? It comes down to security measures that protect you and educate the client.

1. Add a one-line sentence to your purchase orders and/or invoices that states: “(Your company name) is not liable for any product thefts that occur during the delivery of merchandise.” Note: This is a sample sentence. Let your attorney determine the structure of the exact sentence to be added.

2. Ask your contact, before the delivery begins, if a trustworthy person can act as a monitor while the gift baskets enter the building.

3. Suggest to the client that the gift baskets be placed in a locked room until distribution. This is a wise suggestion whether you are delivering to a church or office building.

The last thing you want to hear is that you will not be paid for gift baskets stolen while the delivery was made. Protect your client and yourself with a plan to be ready for the worst while expecting the best.

Shirley George Frazier

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