Welcome to FBN® Big Ship
We deliver truckloads of pre-plant supplies directly to your farm. Here you'll find answers to your questions about timing, process & communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Big Ship?
At FBN, we use the term "Big Ship" to refer to the timeframe in which we deliver the orders placed throughout Cyber Days and the off season.
To help us ensure a smooth delivery experience, we ask that you please:
Maintain delivery dates and avoid last-minute delivery scheduling changes
Select the most appropriate order speed when checking out your order. Only request "Urgent" delivery when products are truly urgently needed.
Be ready to transact by completing any necessary documentation prior to placing your order.
Reply promptly to our transportation planning team and partners to confirm your delivery timing.
Delivery Timing
When Will My Big Ship Order Arrive?
You will be notified about your delivery window 2-4 weeks before your order is scheduled to arrive. For more details on each of your orders, you can always check your order history on FBN.com.
Big Ship FAQs
Order Details
How can I get my delivery moved up if I need my product(s) earlier than the Big Ship window or the date provided?
Each delivery cluster is based on agronomic data and is scheduled to ensure delivery well before planting season. If you need an earlier delivery, please contact FBN Support at 1-844-200-3276 or via email at support@farmersbusinessnetwork.com. Our team will review your request and check product availability for an earlier delivery.
Why is only part of my order being delivered?
Your order may arrive in multiple shipments depending on currently available inventory at the time of your delivery. We will ship the available items on your scheduled delivery date. You can check the status of any remaining items in your order on FBN.com for the most up-to-date information.
If you placed multiple orders with different delivery speeds, they may not ship together or from the same location. To ensure everything arrives at once, we recommend using the "I need it later" option at checkout for all Big Ship/Pre-plant orders, aligning the delivery dates for a one-truck delivery
What if my crop plan changes and I need to update my order?
For assistance with adjusting or replacing items on your order, please contact FBN Support at 1-844-200-3276 or via email at support@farmersbusinessnetwork.com. Alternatively, you can reach out to your local sales or Customer Experience representative for further assistance.
Communication Expectations
How will I be notified about my order delivery date?
You'll receive automated delivery notifications via email or text based on your preferred communication method selected in your FBN account. Live delivery confirmations will be sent via text or phone call.Details of our delivery notification schedule are outlined below. (We recommend that you remain opted into FBN text communications to receive all advanced notifications related to delivery.)
There are 6 points of delivery communication:
Date of Order: You'll receive a Sales Order Acknowledgement confirming your purchase.
2-4 Weeks from Delivery: You'll receive a text or email notifying you of your upcoming delivery date.
3-5 days from Delivery: You'll receive a call 3-5 days prior to delivery from our driver planning team reminding you of the upcoming delivery date.
Delivery Day: You'll receive a call from your delivery driver confirming your delivery is on its way that day.
Morning of Delivery: You'll receive a text or email notifying you that your order has been shipped and will arrive that day.
~1 Hour from Delivery Time: You'll receive a call from your delivery driver notifying you that they are on their way to make your delivery and confirming a specific delivery timeframe.
Please ensure your delivery contact information is up to date on your Sales Order Acknowledgment and in your FBN delivery contact details. For multi-site growers, you can set delivery contact info for each order during checkout.
The same messaging (texts, calls, voicemails) will be sent regardless of whether the communication is being managed through our fleet or through a third party.
How will FBN contact me to schedule delivery, and what happens if I miss the delivery confirmation call?
While text notifications are often the most effective method of communication, we will also follow up with calls and voicemails if we haven’t received delivery confirmation from you.
We maintain call logs for all outreach attempts. If we’re unable to reach you, the issue is escalated internally to our Support team for assistance. Please note, this may cause a delay in delivery as we require confirmation before shipping the product.
Logistics and Delivery Day Details
Do any of the FBN delivery trucks have liftgates/power tailgates?
None of our FBN fleet vehicles are equipped with liftgates, and third-party carriers will only provide them if specifically requested. Drivers will assist by moving products to the back of the trailer for unloading, but you are responsible for offloading the products. This requirement is communicated during the delivery confirmation process. Please inform us if you need a liftgate due to lack of unloading equipment.
How will my delivery be handled if there are road bans/vehicle weight restrictions in my area during the spring thaw period?
Road bans are in effect each year in over 50% of the areas we deliver to, both in Canada and the US. OurFBN fleet and carriers navigate these bans annually and will work with you to find a solution based on local conditions.
What should I do if items are missing from my order but show as delivered?
If items are missing from your order, only sign for the items that were delivered and clearly note the missing items on the Bill of Lading/Proof of Delivery (BOL/POD).
You can check your order history on FBN.com to verify the order and expected availability dates. Immediately contact FBN Support at 1-844-200-3276 or support@farmersbusinessnetwork.com, and we’ll work with you to resolve the issue promptly.
What if there’s no pallet jack? Can I decline my order and when will the delivery be re-attempted?
Delivery drivers are responsible for moving the product to the back of the trailer or truck for offloading. If a pallet jack is unavailable or the driver is unable to assist, please contact FBN Support at 1-844-200-3276 or support@farmersbusinessnetwork.com while the truck is still on-site. In most cases, we can resolve the issue the same day, avoiding delays or the need for redelivery.