Please help me! Screwed by contractor on first hot shot load

I would not be wasting money sitting in a motel.

Fill your truck up. You could have been to San Diego by now.

 

I agree with everything G/MAN said.

I would hold off on attorneys and collection agencies as they both will get their hands in your pocket. They make good bargaining chips if you hold them in reserve.

Thirty days to pay is a standard business practice. An unsubstantiated verbal agreement for 72 hours legally has no value.

 

He agreed to pay you within 72 hours. It has not been 72 hours yet. Up to this point the guy hasn't breached your agreement with him. What you are doing is setting yourself up for a major lawsuit. He hasn't breached your agreement but you have already taken out ads on Craigslist that is defamatory. You have put his information on a major internet trucking forum which could damage his business. I don't know why you would have contacted the IRS. From what you have conveyed he hasn't broken any tax laws. Whether he has or not you would not have any way of knowing.

Most loads hauled for the feds are paid within 24-72 hours. You stated that the consignee paid the carrier for whom you hauled the load. In reality, the consignee probably released the money so that the carrier could be paid. More than likely he hasn't had time to receive payment.

I would not be surprised if the guy withheld payment and filed a lawsuit against you.

I don't know all the details of this situation other than what you have posted. But you have not done your case any good by your actions. You could have done yourself great harm. My guess is that you expected him to pay you on the spot just as soon as you delivered the load. Your agreement was to have been paid within 72 hours. Unless he agreed to pay you with a comcheck or direct deposit, he could cut you a check and put it in the mail within 72 hours from proof of delivery and still be within the terms of your agreement.

 

Apparently, I was writing my post while you were posting. I only saw that post after I had posted mine. I think your lawyer gave you sound advice.

 

Finally an interesting topic. I read the craigslist ad and did a quick search on the net and this company does not look to be a typical trucking company/broker scammer type thing but who knows.

 

Chances are, you'll get your money in the next 30 days,

or not at all !!!

I honestly hope he pays you this week !!