how do you respond to a crazy low rate from a broker?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by RGRTim, Jan 13, 2015.

  1. RGRTim

    RGRTim Light Load Member

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    Aug 28, 2013
    Greenville, TX
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    I posted a truck today then a few hours later got a call from a broker about that truck. He had a load in Athens GA going to Laredo (1200 miles) and said the load paid $1700.00 for a grand total of $1.41 per mile. The conversation from that point went like this.
    Me: I cant do it for that but I can do it for X.
    Broker: I cant do X. shipper wont pay that much.
    Me: You need to educate your shipper and I'm gonna help you.
    Broker: yeah?
    Me: Yep. Did you know that the American Transportation Research Institute did a cost per mile study and determined that the average cot to run a truck is $1.65?
    Broker: No I didn't know that
    Me: Yes sir, its online you can google it or I can email you the link if you would like to give it a read.
    Broker: that's ok I can find it.
    Me: Now that is an average and every companies cost is different but still armed with that knowledge if you were in my shoes would you take a load that paid $1.41?
    Broker: probably not
    Me: Me either but I can do it for X
    Broker: I don't have that much in it.
    Me: Sorry that the best I can do. Thanks for calling, have a nice day.


    Now that probably went in one ear and out the other and he prob doesn't give 2 shi*s about what my cost are. However he isn't special and therefore he gets the same treatment everybody else gets.
    After this little exchange I started thinking how do my fellow TR members handle those situations? Do you try to educate them and essentially waste your breath like I do? do you say thanks but no thanks and hang up? do you tell them where to go with their rate?
    I look forward to hearing your response. Oh and if your interested the study I told him about is located here.
    http://www.glostone.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ATRI-Operational-Costs-of-Trucking-2012.pdf
     
    bullhaulerswife and skyviper73 Thank this.
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  3. TwinStickPeterbilt

    TwinStickPeterbilt Heavy Load Member

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    Mar 16, 2013
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    If I give a rate and they turn it down and don't counter back at all I say "NOPE can't do it for that, have a nice day"
     
    double yellow, RGRTim and G/MAN Thank this.
  4. White Dog

    White Dog Road Train Member

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    Iowa
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    I say; "are you ##### s'ing me?!? I'll talk to someone else....thank's any way".
     
    RGRTim Thanks this.
  5. magoo68

    magoo68 Road Train Member

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    Jun 11, 2011
    st malo mb canada
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    Have a nice day "Click"
     
    Ruthless and Hurst Thank this.
  6. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    Thank's for calling have a GREAT DAY
     
    Ruthless and RGRTim Thank this.
  7. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    NEPA
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    *click*. Next. Why did you call on a load going to Laredo anyway?
     
    Marlin46 Thanks this.
  8. kw600

    kw600 Road Train Member

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    Dec 9, 2011
    everywhere,usa
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    Never took a load to Loradeo. Is that a bad spot?
     
    RGRTim Thanks this.
  9. Freddy57

    Freddy57 Road Train Member

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    Nov 29, 2013
    Mount Vernon, MO
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    You really need to do a Laredo load just for the experience. The first one is usually the last one for most people that have any say over where they go... :)
     
  10. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    NEPA
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    Believe it or not, I deadheaded 150 miles TO Laredo from San Antonio to get a load back home to NC once. Load of sugar, paid $1.65/mile if I recall correctly. I needed to get home, and didn't have a few weeks to bounce around in Texas until something better came up.
     
    Freddy57 Thanks this.
  11. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Aug 24, 2011
    Tampa, Fl
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    Thats how I handle it. Firm yet polite.

    I dont have time for small talk.

    Hurst
     
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