Nimlok Tradepoints:
Check Your Final Invoices

Paying your bills is literally "where the rubber hits the road." You find out very quickly whether you've managed to stay within your budget. However, if you incurred rush charges or needed additional services on the show floor, you've probably blown it! It's critical to check your final invoices to make sure that you're only paying for services you ordered. A checklist of 38 questions has been divided into three parts.

1. Have you checked your itemized invoice from your exhibit house?
2. Do the items listed match the original quotation?
3. Have you asked for an explanation of any discrepancies?
4. Have you verified handling charges?
5. Are the warehousing charges correct?
6. Are the outbound and inbound charges in order?
7. Have you identified additional service charges?
8. Did you need installation supervision?
9. Have you verified the charges with pre-established estimates?
10. Did you incur any rush charges?
11. Have you verified the charges with pre-established estimates?
12. Have you examined your bill of lading for accuracy?
13. Does it match your original itemized inventory?
14. Did you check your drayage charges?
15. Do you fully understand what you are being charged for?
16. Did you confirm that the shipment weight charges are correct?
17. Did you confirm that the weight and load/unload points are exact?
18. Did you incur charges for additional pick-ups or deliveries?
19. Have you verified the charges with pre-established estimates?
20. Have you confirmed any additional charges for insurance coverage?
21. Have you checked that the set-up hours for show labor are correct?
22. Have you verified that the number of workers you are being charged for is the same as the number you used?
23. Have you checked that you are only being charged for the union services you used?
24. Have you confirmed that any overtime charges are justifiable?

Written by Susan A. Friedmann, CSP, The Tradeshow Coach, Lake Placid, NY, working with exhibitors and meeting & event planners to improve their event success through coaching, consulting and training.

Website: www.thetradeshowcoach.com