reefer claim

don't haul anything for TQL. period. EVERYONE complains about them. they are one of the shadiest brokers.

 

Sounds like they ripped you off, there's many produce people that will do that.

 

Another favourite delay tactic is the receiver has his own stamp which he stamps Bol with writes in piece count and signs .. Then they delay payment because it's not signed in consignee box so you have get bills resigned and faxed back even though everything is good.. I had to almost beg a receiver to sign in both places .He didn't believe me when I said it would-delay payment 2 to. 3 weeks for no reason

 

Strawberry's are exempt, can't file on the bond.

 

Just because they sign the bills, doesn't mean that they can't report damages after the fact. I work at a grocery warehouse and we do it sometimes. If they have to get the truck out because of time limits, they'll sign the bills and report any carrier damages later. The soft spots could have been because of quality or age like someone already said. Was there a temperature recorder that the shipper placed on the truck? If so, the receiver should have an entire log from the time of when the truck left the shipper in California all the way to the Bronx. You might want to contact the receiver or shipper and ask them if they had a recorder and if so, where the print out is.

 

You need to hand over all of the documentation to your insurance company and request to see a copy of the digital file from their recorder. They have to have a copy available. Also, make sure when you request it, you get someone's email at the shipper and use that one person. If you have a phone call with them, send an email thanking them for their time and summarizing the call. Lastly, send all of your information like the print out from carrier/tk to your insurance company.

 

First mistake was to book a 2nd load if you knew there was going to be an issue with the load, especially "soft spots" on strawberries, which is a big no no. TQL will hold payment on current invoices due if there is an issue with a load, which is illegal but once you sign their contract, it's a free pass for them to do whatever they want. If there wasn't a temp issue, then mostly likely they knowingly loaded you with a bad product so either party can file a claim on it. The receiver can probably still sell the product, but not at it's original price and still file a claim and defraud the insurance company. It rarely happens but this happens with produce and especially going to the bronx produce market with the type of shady people in there too. That's why I try to refrain from hauling berries since they are so fragile and sensative. Hopefully you get everything straightened out with all the documentation needed to battle it out with these people.

 

Don't worry too much about the contract. There is tons and tons of stuff that cannot be legally ignored just because you signed something. Like signing an agreement that says the owner is not responsible if you get hurt on their property.....Yes they are! Same thing with credit card agreements and all sorts of other stuff.