How do I deal with rude shippers / customers

Think about what THEY have to put up with from drivers. Every day. To them, you're just another entitled, fussy a hole driver coming in to tell them how they're going to just jump on your load and get you out of there so you can get back to making money.

Smile, be polite, and treat them as if they're having a bad day. Because they probably are. When you do that consistently, you'll find that they start to remember you when you come back. And you'll probably be going to the same stops often. When they remember you as being someone that comes in, doesn't give them any crap, and lets them get their job done, you'll find that your load / unload times will magically become shorter and shorter. Gotta earn it. But when you do, you'll be happy with the results.

 

That's good old fashion experience talking right there, man. Great advice.

 

That's EXACTLY what it is! Don't let idiots define who YOU are. Don't let them drag you down to their level.

 

This would have been a productive thread had the OP (and now this guy) not played the race card.

The race card is the cheapest and most ineffective point in any discussion or debate.

I'm interested in hearing more perspectives on how drivers deal with ####### shippers and receivers.

 

There are two things you can do...

1. Shake their hand and thank them and also tell them you hope they get laid before you come back so they will be in a better mood.

2. Hand them $20 and tell them to go get a b*** job.

 

Race / ethnicity is definitely an issue, so it's relevant. Look at all the threads on here where drivers complain about non English speaking immigrant drivers, and then get back to me about how race is not an issue.

 

When this happens to me I always ask ,
Where on earth do you get the idea you can speak to me like that.
Then I ask to speak to their superior usually at this point their demeanor changes dramatically. When it doesn't I speak to their superior and if I even get the slightest hint the supervisor doesn't give a rip I ask to speak to theirs or for a number to reach them along with ( or do I just need to call corporate)
All this is done with the utmost politeness.
99% of the time the situation is resolved on the spot.
While all this is taking place make sure you have pen and paper an taking names you might be surprised at how many of those d bag office an warehouse workers are worried about you letting their superiors know about them.

 

I always considered the source and kept in mind If if weren't for customers trk drivers wouldn't have a job.

 

Yep ran into alot of rude grumpy people. Alot of the drivers that worked at these rude places would stare daggers at me as well. F em. just smile and say yes sir, no sir. pick up or deliver their junk and hightail it -

Oh and the gate guards, some were real nice and others mean and bitter as all get out.
We called em Gate Trolls and some of em looked the part lol

 

The inability to speak English has nothing to do with race.

Unless there is some proof that the shippers/receivers in question were rude to the OP because of his race, then it is simply a baseless and silly accusation.

I don't doubt that the OP is telling the truth about encountering rude shippers/receivers. We all have. The question was how to deal with them.