Thanks for the idea. LTL (less than truckload shipping) looks to be a good option for shippers who need freight services and/or who need to move a large quantity of items from one location to another. Read more about LTL on Wikipedia.

For many eCommerce merchants who are shipping small items to a vast number of locations, it doesn't seem like LTL has as many advantages. I'd love to learn more about how you could see eCommerce merchants using this freight option, though.

Nearly every merchant purchases pallets of products on a daily basis so being able to access tracking for orders coming in as well as orders going out offers many advantages. Since 1981 our companies have utilized LTL and continue to ship items to customers on a daily basis we specialize in construction and industrial products two of the largest industries in the US. Old Dominion currently operates 222 Service Centers and with 6400+ tractors / 19400+ trailers.
R+L CARRIERS has grown from one truck to a fleet of nearly 13,000 tractors and trailers just to name a few. I would agree many eCommerce merchants can ship many small items to a vast number of locations. however LTL offers many more advantages over USPS,Fedex,UPS besides the fact that many trucking companies are family owed or operated.