Landstar looking for reasons to not pay

check twice sign once, avoid headaches. Signatures, CLEAR readable signatures will help avoid delays always

 

Just wondering, im looking to be an independent Broker for them...

 

Its everyones responsibility. Mostly its the brokers or Forwarder, where the transaction starts. Followed by the Forwarder...hence the name. I had instances where damaged freight came up and my paperwork were not properly addressed from the beginning. Major issues would follow. It shouldnt be the drivers fault, if they get proper signatures and some info that freight was recieved w/no damages, dated...ALL CLEARLY MARKED.

 

I dearly love LS and up till Friday they were our largest account. But read that contract carefully and make sure that what you are giving up you feel you gain 3x over.

One thing about moving into an already established large broker is that many accounts are protected. But it depends on the type of agency you want to have.

 

Consignee is the person who RECIEVED the freight. If they don't want to pay.. Ask them who has their bond. And tell them if they don't give it to you.. The DOT will be notified to see if they have a bond at all. That should get there back side in action .as for shipping papers.. Many times that's all you have for the customer to sign. But you could fill out a bill of lading, giving the receiver a copy along with a copy of the shipping papers. That way landstars customer has your name.. Free advertising. When you send in your papers on the load, to landstar , you then fill out your companies bill of lading sending a copy with the shipping papers. I thought landstar has terminal pay?

 

The only problem I have ever had with getting paid from Landstar was when I printed out my invoice to send to them. The printer skipped just a little part of my company name, that was at the top of the invoice. It was so small I didn't even notice it when I sent it in, it was basically the top half of the letters in one word were missing. I keep copies of all my invoices, and move them to a different file when I get paid for that invoice. After about 2 months I was going through the stack and realized that this one was pretty old and I still had never received my check. I called the Jacksonville office, and some girl looked it up and was quick to tell my that they couldn't read the company name, so they were not going to pay the invoice, until they had one that was readable. So I reprinted it made sure it was good to go this time, sent it back to them and got my check a few weeks later. Even though this was kind of my fault, they never called, emailed, or nothing. That so far has been the only issue with getting paid I have had from Landstar.

 

I learned that lesson long ago, and not just with Landstar. Every bol, I note (received by) next to the consignee with an arrow pointing to the name. Also print the person's name, resign my name and trk and trl number along with freight bill number all in one area. Repetition, Yes, but why give them a reason to question anything.

 

I don't do quick pay. I just wait for the full amount (minus $1.75 postage). Last year on the 40th day I called wondering where my money was, thinking maybe something got lost in the mail. The lady in Jacksonville said "No we recieved it 40 days ago no problems. We will cut a check after Christmas" I recieved a check postmarked the first business day after Christmas. I delivered the load on election day. I...... suspect the shipper was slow paying. That was the last load I hauled for them, although I would haul for them in the future.

 

The thing is, what day they pay doesn't equal what day they got paid. Their contract with their customer and their contract with you are two entirely different documents and legal agreements. If your deal says 30 days from receipt of paperwork, it's 30 days from receipt of paperwork. Even if their customer goes belly-up. That's THEIR risk for being the middleman. They're the ones doing all the credit checks, etc on the shipper. Handling the payments, getting their cut of the money for the service they provide. They don't get to benefit both ways.

 

Never had that happen to me with Landstar. I have always known Landstar for some shaddy stuff with some agents. But never with Landstar pay. Paperwork has been the least problem with Landstar. Rates, are my biggest gripe as more and more agents fail to realize the trucking business. To many agents its just about moving loads.