Parts are going up in price...

Man - that's pretty rich - $175/hour for essentially a small engine mechanic. Not to disparage that industry, but - what do they call that - "Greedflation" ??

 

Not to derail this thread, but the sentiment seems the same across all of them.

The difference with this down turn I've noticed (for a while now), is the despondency with agents/brokers. They're just as miserable too.

I used to view the "Well, you stuck it to us, now we're going to stick it to you" relationship as a poor business model. But this is the first time in 10 years I can relate to it.

I'm not willing to hope for the "Remember Blair - that guy that hauled for 50% less when times were tough just to keep our customer? Yeah we're gonna call him right up now with this great deal" to materialize.

I can thankfully afford to sit for a while, but - at least in my mind or learning curve - I can also afford to let relationships die their own natural deaths, because I'm not willing to sink to the bottom with them.

 

I wanted to clarify. I don’t haul for these cheap brokers in hopes of getting better pay in the future. I’m talking about these “new” to my customer lowball brokers who have come in a cut the rates. They cut the rate and turn around and will call to see if I’ll haul for them. So when I say I am keeping records that’s who I’m directing that to. I haul a lot of spot freight and run for some really good agents. Believe it or not I have hauled a few for TQL when they are willing to pay. I do agree with you that some of these brokerage companies are dealing with cut throat cheap companies to. We are all having to wait it out at the moment.

 

Once a year, then?

 

Last minute they will pay what ever it takes usually. Before that moment, forget about it.

 

They're incessant with their texts and phone calls...lol


I've had problems with them with all two loads I hauled. I don't think I'll try a third

 

W

Whatever happened to no diagnostics fee, if job is given to shop? I have gladly paid for a diagnosis and done a job myself. Only fair. Dealership wants $3700 for a DD 12.7 reman head. I paid $2100 3 yrs ago same Dealership. 3 in stock, and that’s where they’ll stay. That’s about a 75% increase. Unbelievable.

 

Thought I'd go back and look at my history of hauling for tql.
From 2012 to 2018 I moved 27 loads for them. The 28th load was when I got "tql'd". Pickup Thursday in California. Ok cool (tell other customers I am covered). Moved to Friday. No problem. Short on product, Saturday loading now. Okay... (All while being promised I will be compensated for my time). End of day Saturday not getting loaded now it will load on Monday and is a team load so I am out of luck. Offer me $150. I billed them $1500, spoke with some manager or carrier representative or whatever, never got a dime. Haven't bothered with them since.

They still call maybe 3-4 times a week looking for a truck. Never asking for a reefer. Of the times I answer the call, about 80% of the time they are looking for a flatbed, the other 20% a dry van. 100% of the time the loads are picking up in MI, OH, PA, etc. and going to other US destinations. I tell them 1. I have never had a flatbed or a dry van. 2. That is interstating and quite illegal for a Canadian carrier and comes with heavy penalties including possibly being barred from the country. Why they continue to call and ask these same questions I will never know. I've considered saying yes to every offer they make with zero intention of ever picking anything up. My personal favorite tql calls, and they haven't happened for a long time now, used to go "I have someone willing to do it for $900, can you do it for less?" Oh I'd love to. Just put me down for $500 I got you! *fist bump*

At least tql doesn't text me as well. Get enough "dispatch services" already lol.