Shipper insists on using their own tracking system

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Criminey Jade, Oct 28, 2014.

  1. Criminey Jade

    Criminey Jade Road Train Member

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    I was surprised to encounter this, but a shipper requested that they use their own tracking on one of my runs. They asked that I activate Macropoint with my phone. They also have my phone number. They mentioned that they had a device in the freight (likely an idle threat). This is in addition to the tracking and reporting the company already does, plus the shipping crates being sealed off with anti-tamper tape and a beefy yellow bolt seal on the doors. This is not a high value load. We also had to photograph the empty truck. Photograph again once loaded. Then take a picture of the locked and sealed doors.

    A shipper and consignee can track my moves at any time by following the truck on the web. They know where we are, when we're stopped and how long we sat someplace. They get an updated eta online whenever they login. How often have you encountered this kind of overkill? Did it make you feel uneasy?
     
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  3. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    Sounds like CHR? I always told them No. Made the required check calls, delivered the load on time, and never had an issue.
     
    double yellow Thanks this.
  4. Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

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    They going to help pay for your data plan?
     
  5. Reefer_Madness

    Reefer_Madness Bobtail Member

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    Funny..car popped into my head as well but then again so did fresh express in king city ca on a couple of loads.
     
  6. passingthru69

    passingthru69 Road Train Member

    Our one customer we haul for puts their own trackers on the lds..
    No biggie for us, plus twice daily check calls or text msg..
     
  7. Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    I wouldn't deal with that.
    They can put whatever they want to track it inside the trailer.
    But no way I'm installing an app on my phone.
     
  8. moraramis

    moraramis Light Load Member

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    I can remember a time when I had a client dropping off quarters taken out circulation for the U.S. Mint. They made him jump through a bunch of hoops also, and threatened him with this or that before they let him take the load. Probably would of loaded a tracking device up in a suppository if they could of gotten away with it. Turns out it really doesn't take that many bags of quarters to hit your max weight.
     
  9. Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    Maybe you could have some fun with this.

    GPS Spoofing Apps.
     
  10. Six9GS

    Six9GS Road Train Member

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    Hummm, Wonder what they'd do with someone with a dumb phone that thinks an app is something you fill out to get a job. Just wondering.
     
    Criminey Jade Thanks this.
  11. Criminey Jade

    Criminey Jade Road Train Member

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    a friend suggested FedExing my phone across the country, then to Canada, and then to the consignee just to freak them out.
     
    'olhand and Lepton1 Thank this.
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