Drop trailer at shipper / receiver issue

That makes that broker a snake of a man.
Surely, it does not help them in not receiving a similar pay back in one form or another. Like bouncing off the last minute in favour of a $100 more on a load or back soliciting. People do it without qualms and their excuse is often "because once before they did it to me".

 

True. But we aren't always dealing with shining examples of humanity. Simple CYA like this would seriously cut down the number of threads where people get screwed by brokers.

I think OP's issue boils down to two resolutions:
1. It's spelled out in the rate con that he'd be dropping his trailer.
2. It's not spelled out in the rate con, and he needs to go get his trailer.

 

I do drop trailer loads on the weekend sometimes but it's always empty in 24-36 hr on avg. Sucks you got hosed over it but now you know. Any drop trailer load has to pay out the ###. Usually get get around 2500 for a drop

 

Yes. We do. Verbal holds zero water if you ever have to file a claim or deal with litigation. Run your business however you choose. Also, the OP clearly stated the trailer was to be dropped.

I agree that it sucks you can't take someone's word for anything anymore but this is business. In fact, even having things spelled out in writing doesn't guarantee a hassle free experience but it does at least help you get paid what you were supposed to instead of getting screwed. Little things like his experience can cost the Carrier an incredible amount of lost revenue. Again...it's a business and I suggest running it accordingly.

 

Don't count on live unload being any better.

The only GM load I did, Landstar left me hanging for 3 days and didn't pay crap.

Don't do busines with neither after that.

 

@ProfessionalNoticer, I do enjoy reading your posts. Sounds like you run a no-nonsense, no BS operation, whether you are 1 truck or several I do not know but I do appreciate your hard nose edge when it comes down to the business side of things. Do things often go your way or are you in the 50/50 range when it comes to brokers that will agree to your changes of terms on rate cons? Scratching things out and making your own adjustments, how often after you've returned an amended rate con have they called back and said we can't agree to what you have written down here, because they pretty much know darn well that maybe 2 or 3 out of the next calls on that very same load are going to be some wet behind the ears dummy, that can barely speak or understand the English language, that will be happy to just go in the direction of that load for whatever reason, and that broker is just smiling ear to ear on the other end of that line cuz he knows he's got a sucker. I've never understood why the broker thinks they have all the power. I'm thinking it's because many have lead them to feel that they do, by just caving to things, or not reading terms and conditions properly, or calling them out on silly stipulations, or just plain not having any business sense whatsoever. I've kept a small circle of brokers and don't rely upon them anyway, but when I need them they are there and we've all benefited from each other. So I am curious as to how receptive they have been when it comes to your flipping the script on them, because I like having the power and being in control.

 

The broker only has the power if you're in a dead area or there are too many trucks. Even then they technically have nothing without a truck. They need us. We don't need them. I'm not a broker hater though. Having a good one as a middle man between me and the customer is an asset IMO.

As far as how many times my AP has been shot down? I'd say it's about 95 percent in my favor. But even when a broker declines it, I still win because I can promise you they declined because they either aren't direct with the customer or it's going to be a problem load. So they essentially did me a favor.

Just like there is a line of fools willing to do, there a line of great brokers to haul for. I even had one sign my full Addendum the other day that makes them pay me late fees if they didn't pay on time because I couldn't pull up any credit info on them. They've been absolutely great to haul for so far too.

Make sure you keep the upper hand. Be in a good area. Be where there isn't much competition. Check their credit. Bring your A game too. Good service will keep good customers. Good brokers are awesome!

I'm not getting rich here though. Guys that quote über high to cover them in case they sit a while might make more in the end. I make sure my quote is a certain minimum amount per mile, hourly rate for the time I expect the run to take from pick to drop, day rate and tolls.

All of those are factored in. I don't really add much more fat to it so if I get hung up on a run I lose revenue if I'm not getting my AP covered. This helps me stay competitive without competing with the plastic truck crews but also doesn't give away the farm.

I think I'm still high for my area because I hear it regularly but they also tell me I'm worth it because of what they get from me in return.

 

Tell you what - hang up your keys and start dispatching for us. I'm not even kidding. There's money to be made here.

Be honest about something:
Several times (actually more like ten times), I've gotten the "max" out of a load. I know the broker always says "that's all I got in it", but there's been these times where I actually believed them. Then I get soft hearted. I say: "You aren't working for free. Let's split the difference." What I mean is, they have a load for $2,800 (just an example), I offer $3,400. They say they've got three grand in it, and they don't even care if they make a dime as long as it gets moved. I even had a broker straight up say he'd already moved five of them this week, so he was good on income, and he didn't even need to make anything on the load as long as I'd just haul it. So what do I do? Instead of taking the three grand, I drop back a hundred. Tell them give me $2,900 instead, and you keep the other hundred.

So tell me, am I being a fool? Be honest. I try to be hard nosed, and it's easier when I'm in a bad mood. But when I'm in a good mood, I feel I'm being a little too "generous"... Sometimes it's obvious when they're lying. Sometimes I'm not so sure.

 

I do that for one broker only. And he is honest with me on everything. Been working with him since day one. He will always pay me the top dollar without paying games. Goes back to customer and gets higher rTez when I ask as well.

 

Unfortunately, I can't really answer that question. There are so many variables that go into rates and decision making. All I can say is as long as you're happy and are hitting your target numbers then go with it. I would like to add that if 3400 was your true goal then I wouldn’t budge a single red cent. Instead, maybe go in higher than what your absolute minimum amount is. That way if they haggle you can give a little to help the broker out. Anyone who's dealt with TQL more than once knows exactly what I'm talking about here.