Brokers and agreements

Hmmm. Very interesting about exempt commodities. I never think of that, but I try not to haul food or any other perishables. I bet the lawyers have rigged that against us as well. It would be cool to see a list of the common 'gotchas' on those.

I'm lucky I've never been burned with a non payer but I know it will happen. I just hope it doesn't happen on a load in the thousands. I'm pretty careful about reading reviews and doing a lot of research lately. The game changed for me when I paid off my equipment. I just decided, hey, this doesn't have to suck. Be very careful. Ask lots of questions. Up the game on research. Don't worry about losing what at first glance looks like the perfect load. There is always another.

There's another trick I've learned about the first load with a new broker. I rarely ask about terms. I'm ok with 30 day and on about half I get quick pay. I don't even bother asking the broker about that when I book a load. I look at the contract and if it's not specific I assume 30 days and check them on DAT. Then, while I'm on that load and I get a check call or something I ask the broker for their accounting phone number/email. 99% of the time they give it in a hurry to get me off the phone. Then I get in touch with them ask my questions. If they don't respond or are otherwise unhelpful I make a mental note that I might have trouble getting paid and unless they turn out good I don't use them again or very often.

Once you get a specific name and extension of someone in accounting they are usually really helpful. If they treat you like a number from the start they will in the end. I can't roll that way as an O/O.

 

Yeah, I hate those. I like to get paid so I'm not above bugging the broker. They learn pretty quick that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Accounting does have a phone number but most don't give it out too freely, mostly because of people like me.

 

Worried about exempt, just download the PDF file from the FMCSA. List's all exempt products. Just because the major portion of the load is exempt does not mean the whole load is. Up to you to determine what is/isn't.

 

I am glad you have posted this. I joined OOIDA back in April in a spur of a moment, I guess I was sympathetic to what they were generally standing for, at least as far as the regulatory things were concerned. I never called them since but it looks like they may offer some useful advice in some difficult situations. So far all these "situations" I had, I was able to escape unscathed but there are so many dreaded scenarios that my imagination produces that really scare me to death and hinder me from reaching out to less recognized brokers for example. I also hate setting up with more brokers as there is almost never a contract that I would not see as a ticking bomb. Perhaps when a #### hits the fan they could suggest an attorney that knows his stuff.

 

So, does anyone have a good broker to recommend for end dump loads running midwest states ?
All I seem to be finding is brokers that also own trucks. Sounds like a recipe for getting the lower pay loads from them.