Had it up to here....

Discussion in 'Freight Broker Forum' started by ttnae, Oct 28, 2020.

  1. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

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    If you want to be successful then it’s best to be great and stand out from the rest. You can achieve that in many ways but service is number one. If you fall into the trap of being a whiner company then eventually it’ll all be filled with whiners who make excuses or are miserable.

    If a broker is too annoying then don’t use them. Or if they are very hands on then assume it’s high value or critical and that the pay will reflect that. However, the worst is paying a carrier top dollar and getting bottom barrel service. Once someone works with you a few times then it’ll go much more laid back most of the time. Every time you use a new carrier it’s sort of extra high alert.

    I try and run my the trucks for both brokers and customers what I call set and forget. Send it to us and don’t worry about it anymore.

    IMO quality of carriers rate something like this.

    A. 15% - Professionals, on point.
    B. 35% Pretty good
    C. 35% Fair at best
    D. 15% Horrible and sometimes fraudulent.

    Customers expect A 90% of the time and B the other 10% of the time with D, never. As you can see, that creates challenges.

    So, brokers put in place methods to try and weed out or avoid D. The fine print in the rate con is for these guys.
    All of the tracking, wanting to talk to you, type protocols are to make C as close to B trucks as possible, and continue vetting for D trucks.
    Okay, brokers really like working with B carriers because they begrudgingly jump through the hoops caused by lower tiers. When brokers work with A carriers or trucks, then it makes their job more efficient, broker stress levels down, and customer satisfaction and eventually, loyalty up.
    These guys go for premium rates, do what is required if leniency on oversight can’t be had, and the customer is less likely to make changes. (Remember “set and forget”).
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2020
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  3. ttnae

    ttnae Light Load Member

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    I agree with EVERY single thing that you have said here. Well said. BUT, it still does not change my mind on the fact that brokers are not a necessary part of this industry. I don't have a hatred for ALL Brokers just because they are brokers. My aggravation is with where the brokerage industry is going if left unchecked, the exposure to the carrier as less qualified people enter the brokerage arena and the general fact that they are not necessary.
    Another thing. This is a truckers forum where we come to discuss the things that sometimes frustrate us. Why is it always called whining. I've been in this industry since 1992 and have learned a thing or 2 about it. I am also VERY active in fighting for the rights of all truckers. I recently took on a state police department in a citation that was written to one of my drivers incorrectly. I eventually sent this request to the state attorney general for clarification. The AG agreed with me and instructed the SP to make the change that was requested in Data Q. So, IF I am a "whiner" perhaps some day you too will be the better for it. Lets work harder to work together, truckers and carriers.
     
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  4. ttnae

    ttnae Light Load Member

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    Yes, it can work. We are a small carrier and for us direct contact brought more aggravation than anything else. We've had changed locations, expecting the driver to do things that were not discussed on the rate con, and calling them 30 times a day. I give them my cell # and tell them that it's my cell and after about 5 unnecessary calls, I am able to convince them to knock it off. That said, I do check on the truck (they always have a tracking link) to be sure that I'm not giving them inaccurate information. Also, company drivers usually know nothing about the actual contractual requirements and or the mess that we can get into as a company if the driver does something that we don't or wouldn't approve of. Funny story, we once had a broker want to slip "one more skid" on the trailer. It turned out to be a large robotic arm. VERY expensive. Most robots are insured by the manufacturer BUT there is still a lot of liability up to your insured amounts and IF you are not careful and reading your agreements and contracts, you will find yourself agreeing to insure to FULL value regardless of your insurance limits. Scary stuff.
     
    Dale thompson and Dave_in_AZ Thank this.
  5. Mr.Lampshade

    Mr.Lampshade Bobtail Member

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    you are what is wrong with this industry. you will eventually be blocked rom the majority of brokers & you will have to leave the industry to survive. Also, look up covert tracking or ELD tracking. You will be tracked if it is a requirement of the load you were lucky enough to be awarded to haul.
     
  6. Mr.Lampshade

    Mr.Lampshade Bobtail Member

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    carriers double broker (illegal), brokers co-broker (legal). simple concept that you should understand with your stated industry experience.

    were always going to fight some on rates between each other because thats the point of a negotiation. plenty of carriers have no idea of their cost/desired profit/etc & they will quote rates $1,000 higher & lower of market rate. Generally carriers are undereducated, dispatchers do not care & are as inexperienced as most brokers are thought to be. carriers send in incorrect equipment, lie about location, being loaded & empty, brokers do not do this as blatently or as frequently.

    your lack of patience with people would leave you with nothing if brokers werent out getting the freight for you to haul.

    if trucks refused to move broker loads for 48 hours, THE TRUCKS WOULD LOOK LIKE IDIOTS!!!! Not the brokers who tried to move them. Also considering in the scenario that no brioer moved a load in 48 hours you cant even argue that 1 broker did a better job than another so no shipper would think well ill just deal directly with truck companies individually.
     
  7. Mr.Lampshade

    Mr.Lampshade Bobtail Member

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    this technology you speak of, is run/managed by brokers. companies with BROKER authority create the technology that the majority of drivers cant/wont use or understand.
     
  8. REO6205

    REO6205 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    This is an interesting thread. You've given us a lot of insight about how brokers think and how they regard the trucking industry as a whole. Your attitude that you're doing us a favor by using us at all really shines through.
    Now, with that being said, please understand why I wouldn't call you for loads if you were the last broker on earth.
     
    JerzyG, Dale thompson, User666 and 4 others Thank this.
  9. Mr.Lampshade

    Mr.Lampshade Bobtail Member

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    Received, we are likely better off if you do not call.
     
  10. PPDCT

    PPDCT Road Train Member

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    I mean, I dunno about that. I'd gladly work with @REO6205 . Even if he occasionally deletes my posts. @pavrom, too. Most anyone here, for that matter. Through years of interactions, I've established that most of these folks are professional, and regard their work as professionals. Bottom line is this: you'd be better served, rather than crapping all over these guys, to take a few minutes to sit down and get a sense of who they are, why they are, and how they are.
     
  11. REO6205

    REO6205 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    That's the key right there. Be honest with us, treat us with the same respect that he would anyone else, and he'll have a much better experience with drivers and carriers.
    I understand that sometimes dealing with drivers every day can be aggravating but I don't know of any occupation that doesn't come with it's own share of challenges.
    Making the broker/carrier/driver connection into an adversarial relationship is just shooting himself in the foot.
     
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