Load Abandoned

back to my original statement. There just arent the same number of good carriers on the road anymore. Its unfortunate, but the facts. I wish we could just pay everyone exactly what they need, get great service , and make some change for ourselves but the real world just doesnt work like that.

 

Yeah, I didn’t ask.

 

I know. That’s why I said none of this is an easy process.

 

There's no great numbers of good brokers out there either. In fact I would go so far as to say there are none. I bet I've done 500 or more loads for Coyote in the past 7 years with 100% on time delivery and pickups. And they never call me out of the blue and offer up anything. It's always transactional and always will be.

And even smaller brokers who do that and contact with loads, you better not be more than $100-$150 of what they know they'll get on the open market from some random carrier they don't know from a hole in the ground. Same thing with them and every broker I worked with. Always do what is agreed on time, always. And even go above and beyond when things go south so we can work through it and get the job finished. But guess what? For all the warm and fuzzy talk about doing a great job it's always down to the dollar and still a transactional relationship load to load.

Brokers are a waste of time long term. Carriers and drivers are much better served by using them as little as possible. And that's the truth.

 

I work for a rather large brokerage. We have multiple offices in about a dozen states. I know with that many brokers, we are bound to have some real turds, as with almost every brokerage large or small. But i will say probably half of my loads go out to carriers i use on the regular on the same lanes. They tell me what they need, and i take it to the customer whom usually agrees due to our service record. Some customers are all about service. Others its just price. They want the cheapest crappiest truck and get mad when there are delays.

I appreciate that you have some pride in your work and do a good job (even if i dont know you personally or professionally). Its actually nice to deal with folks like that and as brokers we really do appreciate it ( most of us anyway).

Many brokers are a waste of time, wont argue there. But from a customer standpoint a necessary evil so to speak. My customer can not send out loads to over 100 people each day without hiring additional people. So instead they send out 100+ loads to 5-8 people who handle sourcing for the same costs, and deal with all the headaches, breakdowns, late trucks and claims.

Find a good broker - not Coyote - and you'll see what i mean.

 

What abandonment? According to the rest of the post he never had possession to begin with. Can you charge him a fee for being butt hurt? I am gonna go out on a limb and say, probably not. Should you have been smarter and found another truck so your customers needs were met? Yes.

 

Have you ever told a buyer/customer "sorry, we can't get it moved for you at that rate and I doubt anybody else could either"

Obviously, unfortunately, things are still getting moved, still waiting for the mass exodus with bankruptcies, repos, flat out closing up shop, doesn't seem to be happening so quick. But I do see alot of junk equipment running down the roads these days.

 

@Avrakotos

I'm not saying brokers are unnecessary or lots of places don't need them. I'm saying if an owner operator wants long term success he'll seek out his own customers and avoid using brokers as much as possible. I'm sure you mean well and probably think your brokerage is different but it's not. I've worked regularly with one broker on multiple loads at different brokerages lots of times over the years. There's nothing special about that. For some carriers using you regularly, you're just a means to an end. You're not their moneymaker.

 

I dont necessarily think my brokerage is different. I know i'm built different than every other broker out there. IF you want to touch my kind of customers you need 10 -15 trucks minimum in your fleet and then you might have a shot at being able to quote a bid for them. Good luck knowing the market and winning those bids against 100 other bidders.

I understand your point and for the TQLs out there you are 100% correct. Use them to get your trucks where they need to go and search out your own customers. Ask questions when you pick and deliver loads, you might find a good lead. There are plenty of small manufacturers and produce companies an O/O or small trucking company could link up with and help each other tremendously.

I know the carriers i work with eat very well off the loads i run with them. Kids in private school, happy old ladies, living the American dream.

 

Time to blackball him…buuuubbbye