Detention Denied

As you know, Some of these shippers and receivers pull this kind of crap. I just wouldn't haul there loads anymore.

 

Blame the driver is how this industry works.

 

I cant help wanting to blow a gasket when I get a call placing blame as if it is fact just because a customer made the accusation. It does not even seem to cross their minds to check accuracy when a customer makes a statement against a driver. It happens more often than many may believe.

 

Customer service mythology says "the customer is always right". This is generally wrong, of course, but many companies (both trucking and non) consider this holy gospel. Sucks for you and your driver, but that's how it is. I would refuse their freight next time, unless the money is good enough for you to cover your driver's detention time out of pocket.

 

Ever thought about calling the customer with a recorder on the phone or a rep from Landstar on the line to catch them in a lie?

 

Be truthful with your driver, tell him detention was denied, but that you are going to throw him $100 for his trouble and frustration. If the driver is worth his salt, he'll appreciate the gesture, and you'll keep him happy. Trucks with no drivers = no revenue. Keep him happy and chalk it up as the price of doing business. Ice cream pays pretty well, if you booked the load without having an extra $100 wiggle room on it, thats on you.

 

how about have your driver document the temperature from now on, take pic of the temp at arrival, and email it , make sure to take pics so it can verified he was at their location when pics taken. have the customer sign something with the temp verified.

it other words , leave nothing to chance , be proactive

 

You know , when you confront some of these big corporations with facts not their opinions/lies you are viewed as a trouble maker.
This is what gets my goat.
I have never been able to subscribe to "the customer is allays right".
Especially wren they are wrong and it costs me money.
More often then not it is an individual who is incompetent or lazy and they hide their inept behavior behind a seemingly untouchable giant corporation.
Going above their heads just highlights the superiors lack of control and a weakness in their systems.
Not taking responsibility for their shortcomings and being dishonest in order to place the blame on to a supplier (trucker) is the easiest way because no one wants to rock the boat of a fortune 500 account.
I am however to old an grumpy to put up with too much BS anymore.
I am also lucky enough not to have to.
If my company or drivers are wrong we accept the consequences but if we are not I make a lot of waves.
Sure more often then not we don't get to many loads out of there after that , but hey if they don't want to accept responsibility and I don't want to accept their BS why go quietly.