Scum Bag brokers

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Hurst, Apr 24, 2015.

  1. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Just a heads up for anyone else who comes across these guys,...

    LTA Logistics, based out of Miami I think.

    I did a 'favor' for my carrier and picked up a rusted out 1979 Mack dump truck that could barely move on its own power.

    I had a bad feeling when I picked the thing up. Waay too many hands in the pie. A guy from Africa bought the truck from a contractor in Wi who brokered the deal from the original owner in Mi. The truck was to be shipped via Baltimore port to Africa. The buyer who barely spoke english hired LTA to broker the deal and some how I got caught in the middle.

    It was a low rate as you can imagine. I explained to the kid on the phone (LTA Logistics) that I do not have a Twic card to get into the port. Told me not to worry about it,.. they would have an escort waiting for me. I ask him if they have the dock receipt. I got the title from the original owner. I get to Baltimore,.. no escort. The fun started with that. So finally he emails me the dock receipt. Fortunately I have a printer in the truck. I print up the 5 copies customs needs plus 5 copies of the front and back of the title. Broker tells me to hire an escort and let him know how much and they would send a revised rate agreement. $50 hr was the cheapest I could find there. Not like in Ga and Fla ports where they have guys waiting and will do the whole thing for $40 - $60.

    So I make it through customs, we get to a loading ramp so I dont have to use the ramps on my trailer. I get the beast on the ground and the guys come and look at it and tell me they wont accept it. Says it has to be running well enough to climb a 45 degree angle to get on the ship. I argue with them, it will climb my ramps to get on the trailer,.. it will be fine. Nope,.. no can do. So I load it back on my truck. Pay the escort $125 for his time.

    I call the broker and explain the situation. He gives me an address of another port on the other side of the harbor. Anyone knows Baltimore know there is only one of two ways to get from one side to the other with a semi truck. You can use the tunnel,.. (Toll,.. think GW bridge in NYC) or you can run the loop all the way around. Well,.. the tunnel had a height restriction and the dump truck is sitting on my bed at 13'10. So 8.4 mile turns will end up being 36 mi. I get to the other port,.. guard at the gate says well sorry,.. but they all left at 4:30,.. it was 4:45 when I got there. Baltimore traffic sucks. 1.5 hr to go 36 mi.

    I had a reload set up as long as I could make it by 6 PM,.. I call the broker. I tell him I'm dropping the truck in a lot and he can call a tow company to bring it inside the port. I have a reload and need to get rolling. He asks what need to sit over night and deliver the truck in the AM. I tell him I want $725. $125 for the escort fee,.. $625 for my time and fuel. He says he has to make a phone call. My carrier calls me and says she canceled my reload,.. broker will pay for my time.

    That was 4/10. Been going back and forth to get the revised rate agreement and finally today they say they wont pay it. Its not their fault I didnt have a twic card and the rest is not their fault either.

    Hind sight is always 20/20,. I should have left the truck in Wi soon as I discovered how the whole deal was brokered and handled.

    LTA Logistics Inc is on my black list.

    Anyone else that deals with them,.. hope you fare better then I did.

    Hurst
     
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  3. icsheeple

    icsheeple Trailing the Herd

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    I'd love too see an Ol' hands entire black list.
     
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  4. Aggravated Owner

    Aggravated Owner Light Load Member

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    Jesus bro. That truly sucks. And that right there is why I've even questioned trying to grow my business in this industry. What happened to you probably happens more than any of us really truly realize. Sometimes a crystal ball would come in handy. Not saying all brokers are this way, but that is down right cold. Not seeing how they can place the blame on you for any of this. You got into the port, they hassled you over the condition of the dump truck, broker gives you the run around again...etc.
    If a REAL lawyer was actually worth his/her salt, they would help you in a case like this and help you get what you deserve and not bend you over in the process. But, if lawyers had hearts........lol
     
  5. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    You and me both.

    We need something like Angie's List for broker ratings. I looked up their BBB score and saw no complaints. They've been operating since 2010.

    Wish I had a leg to stand on,.. but its my word against theirs. Live and learn. I promise next time I have something like that happen,.. it wont go back on my trailer until I have it in writing. It was delivered to where I we agreed it would go. Contract complete.

    Hurst
     
  6. Aggravated Owner

    Aggravated Owner Light Load Member

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    Documentation wins the day. Complete documentation actually wins the day.

    Just out of curiosity, just because you felt like this may turn into a issue, can you request at least half of your money up front from a broker? I ask because you sensed some bad mojo about this haul anyways, but can you be paid prior to delivery?
     
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  7. icsheeple

    icsheeple Trailing the Herd

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    Same. I got completely stiffed on a melon run. Load was refused and I didn't get paid anything to run it 30 miles to a downtown cold storage. 4 hour live unload. I'll never move a load again without a rate confirmation for the new move after first agreed destination has been reached.
     
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  8. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Seems brokers and lawyers both share a common interest. They both profit from the sweat and labor of others.

    I'm not trying to generalize all brokers. As I have dealt with some stand up brokers. I even had the gleeful pleasure of squeezing a broker out of some good money once, knowing I had him under the gun and took full advantage of it. So in the grand scheme of things,.. some days your the windshield,.. some days your the fly.




    Hurst
     
  9. Aggravated Owner

    Aggravated Owner Light Load Member

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    So, the lesson here is that more contracts need to be in place and signed by all parties before a haul even takes place? Please forgive my ignorance, because I'm not a carrier yet, but dealing with brokers I just figured contracts would be extremely common place in this industry. Keeps everyone on a even playing field, so to speak. Am I on point or am I missing information on how all this broker/driver stuff works?
     
  10. Aggravated Owner

    Aggravated Owner Light Load Member

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    I understand that.

    I swear, again I'm questioning why I got into this industry. If I plan on expanding in the very near future, I'm gonna need a freakin Mentor to guide me along. This industry reminds me of gambling and gamblers in western movies. No trust and everyone is pointing a gun under the table at you or someone else.

    I've said it before, it just amazes me to no end how dirty and lowdown this industry is. Sad actually, because it's made up of some incredible, wonderful people that deserve so much better.
     
  11. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Not sure. I believe you can,.. I've heard some do,.. and some do but you give up a small percentage, similar to a quick pay option.

    I'm leased to a carrier,.. so I dont generally deal directly with brokers during the negotiation process unless I'm looking on the load boards and happen to see something I want and know it will be gone by the time I call my dispatch to call on it. And even then,.. they've gone behind my back and got my carrier to agree to a rate less than what we had agreed. I now make sure my dispatch knows the rate. Should be common sense to do,.. but I was much greener behind the ears back then than I am now. LOL.

    Hurst
     
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