Shipping Policy
Transparent, Discounted Freight Shipping
At Peach State Pottery, we believe you should know exactly what you’re paying for.
We do not advertise “free shipping” on kilns and quietly build freight costs into the product price. Instead, we price each kiln competitively and charge a discounted flat-rate freight fee based on the size of the kiln and where it is being delivered.
This allows us to keep our kiln prices fair while passing along discounted freight rates to our customers.
Your shipping rate is shown at checkout before you place your order, so you can see the true cost of your purchase upfront.
No inflated product pricing. No hidden freight markup. No surprise shipping bill after checkout.
How Kiln Shipping Works
Kilns and other large equipment typically ship by LTL freight carrier.
Your flat-rate freight charge is determined primarily by:
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The size and weight of the kiln
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Your delivery location
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The type of delivery required
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Freight accessibility at the destination
For most standard kiln deliveries within the contiguous United States, the shipping rate shown at checkout is the amount you pay.
Standard Kiln Freight Typically Includes
✓ Curbside freight delivery
✓ Residential delivery when required
✓ Liftgate service when required
✓ Delivery appointment scheduling
✓ Shipment tracking
Because we subsidize a portion of the freight expense and use discounted carrier rates, our shipping charge may be considerably lower than standard retail freight pricing.
Why We Don’t Offer “Free Shipping”
Freight shipping a kiln is never truly free.
A large kiln can cost hundreds of dollars to ship depending on its size and destination. When a retailer advertises free freight, that shipping expense generally has to be recovered somewhere else, often through a higher product price.
We prefer a more transparent approach.
At Peach State Pottery:
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The kiln is priced based on the kiln itself.
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Shipping is priced based on the actual type of shipment required.
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Customers closer to the shipping origin are not forced to subsidize customers thousands of miles away.
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You can see your freight charge before completing your purchase.
Our goal is to give you a fair total delivered price, not simply advertise the word “free.”
Flat-Rate Freight Pricing
We use discounted flat-rate freight tiers based on kiln size and delivery region.
Because shipping a small tabletop kiln a few hundred miles is very different from shipping a large production kiln across the country, freight pricing can vary from product to product and destination to destination.
The applicable freight rate is calculated during checkout.
If you’re comparing prices between retailers, we recommend comparing the total delivered price rather than product price alone.
When a Custom Freight Quote May Be Required
Our standard flat-rate freight program covers the majority of kiln deliveries within the contiguous United States.
Some orders may require additional review, including:
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Oversized or exceptionally heavy kilns
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Large-capacity production equipment
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Custom-built equipment
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Alaska and Hawaii
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U.S. territories
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Canada and international destinations
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Islands or ferry-access locations
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Extremely remote locations
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Limited-access properties
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Locations with restricted truck access
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Inside delivery
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White-glove delivery
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Installation or uncrating services
If your order requires a custom freight quote or additional shipping arrangements, we will contact you before the order is processed.
We will never intentionally add an unexpected freight charge without discussing it with you first.
Freight Delivery
Most kilns and large equipment are delivered by an LTL freight carrier rather than UPS or FedEx.
Once your kiln reaches the destination terminal, the carrier will typically contact you to schedule a delivery appointment.
What to Expect
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Someone should be available to receive and inspect the shipment.
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Standard freight delivery is curbside.
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Liftgate service is included when required on eligible kiln shipments.
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The driver is not responsible for moving the kiln into your home, garage, studio, or business.
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The driver is not responsible for installation, assembly, or uncrating unless those services were specifically arranged.
Please make sure the phone number provided with your order is accurate so the freight carrier can reach you.
Delivery Access
Freight trucks are significantly larger than standard delivery vehicles.
Before ordering, please consider whether a large truck can safely access your delivery location.
Additional carrier charges may apply for situations such as:
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Extremely remote locations
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Narrow or restricted roads
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Steep or inaccessible driveways
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Limited-access properties
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Address changes after shipment
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Missed delivery appointments
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Storage at the freight terminal
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Redelivery
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Inside delivery
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White-glove services
If you’re unsure whether your property is suitable for freight delivery, please contact us before ordering. We’re happy to help.
Inspecting Your Kiln for Freight Damage
Freight damage is uncommon, but it is extremely important to inspect your shipment before signing the delivery receipt.
Before Signing for Delivery
Please:
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Inspect the packaging and pallet carefully.
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Look for crushed areas, punctures, dents, broken boards, or other visible damage.
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Take photos of the shipment before removing packaging.
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Note any visible damage on the delivery receipt.
If the shipment has significant visible damage, you may refuse delivery.
Write:
“Refused due to freight damage.”
on the delivery receipt.
Signing for a visibly damaged shipment without documenting the damage may make a freight claim more difficult.
Concealed Damage
Occasionally, damage may not be visible until the kiln is unpacked.
If you discover concealed damage, contact us as soon as possible.
Please keep all packaging materials and provide photos of:
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The kiln or equipment
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The damaged area
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The packaging
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The pallet or crate
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The delivery receipt
Do not discard the packaging until the issue has been resolved.
Missed Deliveries, Storage & Redelivery
Once a delivery appointment has been scheduled, someone should be available to receive the shipment.
If the carrier is unable to complete delivery because the customer is unavailable or the delivery location is inaccessible, the carrier may assess:
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Redelivery fees
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Storage fees
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Address correction fees
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Reconsignment fees
Carrier fees resulting from missed appointments, incorrect addresses, or customer-requested delivery changes are the responsibility of the customer.
Shipping Smaller Items
Accessories, replacement parts, pottery supplies, and smaller equipment may ship through carriers such as:
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UPS
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FedEx
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USPS
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Other parcel carriers
Shipping charges for these products are calculated at checkout based on the shipment size and destination.
Some orders containing both kiln equipment and smaller accessories may arrive in separate shipments.
Order Confirmation
After your order is placed, you’ll receive an order confirmation email.
For kiln and large equipment orders, our team may review important order details before processing, including:
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Voltage
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Phase
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Shipping address
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Freight accessibility
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Product configuration
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Selected options
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Current lead time
If anything needs clarification, we’ll contact you before the order moves forward.
This additional review helps reduce ordering mistakes on expensive equipment.
Lead Times
Many kilns and specialty equipment products are built to order or ship directly from the manufacturer.
Lead times can vary based on:
Any lead time displayed on our website should be considered an estimate unless specifically stated otherwise.
Manufacturing delays, freight delays, weather, and other circumstances outside our control may affect delivery timing.
If you need equipment by a specific date, please contact us before ordering so we can help verify the latest estimated lead time.
Tracking Your Order
Once your order ships, tracking information will be sent to the email address associated with your order.
Freight tracking may update less frequently than traditional UPS or FedEx tracking.
When the shipment reaches your local freight terminal, the carrier will generally contact you directly to arrange delivery.
Alaska, Hawaii & International Shipping
We can assist with shipping to:
Because freight costs vary significantly for these locations, a custom shipping quote is generally required.
Please contact us before placing your order so we can determine shipping availability and pricing.
Address Changes
Please carefully verify your shipping address, phone number, and email address before completing your order.
If you need to change the delivery address before shipment, contact us immediately.
Once an order has shipped, freight carriers may charge additional fees for rerouting or changing the destination. Any carrier fees caused by a customer-requested address change may be the customer’s responsibility.
Planning Around Your Delivery
We recommend waiting until your kiln has been delivered and inspected before scheduling:
Production schedules and freight transit times can occasionally change.
While we’ll always do our best to provide accurate estimates and assist with freight communication, we cannot guarantee a specific delivery date unless explicitly stated in writing.
Questions About Shipping?
Buying a kiln is a major purchase, and freight shipping can be unfamiliar if you haven’t ordered large equipment before.
If you have questions about:
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Shipping cost
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Freight delivery
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Liftgate service
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Delivery access
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Lead times
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Electrical requirements
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Kiln size
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Product configuration
please contact us before placing your order.
We’re happy to help make sure you’re ordering the right equipment and understand exactly what to expect.
Our goal is simple: fair kiln pricing, discounted freight rates, and a transparent total delivered cost with no surprises.