Is there any kind of official documentation that a short line puts in place with a prospective customer to make the customer "official"?
For example, does a prospect sign a contract with the railroad, specifying a minimum number of carloads, minimum payments, minimum duration, etc.?
Or are prospective customer relationships a lot more informal--does a company just call a shortline and say, for example, "You know those 10 autoracks? They're ready to go anytime."
I'm dealing with a shortline that has "promises" of customers, and I'd just like to confirm what proof I can get for those "promises" of customers actually becoming customers.
Thanks.
For example, does a prospect sign a contract with the railroad, specifying a minimum number of carloads, minimum payments, minimum duration, etc.?
Or are prospective customer relationships a lot more informal--does a company just call a shortline and say, for example, "You know those 10 autoracks? They're ready to go anytime."
I'm dealing with a shortline that has "promises" of customers, and I'd just like to confirm what proof I can get for those "promises" of customers actually becoming customers.
Thanks.