Carmax shifted to different companies

We stopped hauling Carmax loads, cheap rates, ridiculous rules, and an app. that doesn't seem to be compatible with our electronic devices, basically, they want you to jump though hoops for nothing, or in some cases, LESS than what you were making.

Keep something in mind, EVERYONE is winning in this deal EXCEPT the transporter/driver, UR is going to save large amounts of green on cutting down or eliminating office workers hours, because of that app, the DRIVER is now their office worker, FOR FREE!!!

Carmax wins because not only have they gotten cheaper rates, because of UR's app they have better tracking ability of where their inventory is and real time notification of p/u and del. AGAIN, it is because of all of the extra work is done by the driver, so Carmax can probably cut the hours of their inventory location staff, money saved.

But the driver, unless paid by the hour loses miles and time over the deal, the transport company loses miles and time over the deal, not sure about any one else, but in my world TIME is still MONEY!!!!

I can see the reason in this business for real time info on vehicle location/moves, I have NO issues with the concept, but if the driver/company is now also the shippers secretary, then rates need to go UP, not DOWN!!!

Sorry for the rant, but somebody had to say it.

 

The word UR likes to use is "streamlining"
Not to turn this into a UR thread but since I am leased to them I am one of a few that has NOT went to the app. When they ask I respond with "if you want me to use the app then you provide me with a phone-tablet to use"
I have a problem using MY personal phone for something they want me to do.
One thing you said KT is why I don't use the app. They take 20% of everything that I haul for them.20% should almost provide me with my own personal dispatcher/clerk.
That is one reason why I still turn in trip reports and get BOL's signed at dealers/auctions etc. I want to make sure someone is having to earn the money that I give them by being leased to them.

I'm done with my small rant now lol.

 

Exactly, as I said, I don't have an issue with real time, but you are asking a person/driver to learn a new skill set, and in many cases these guys are just not that computer literate, and we have had a couple of occasions where their app is what screwed up, it just adds to the growing frustrations that have become a trade mark of this industry.

 

Carmax held a bidding war with the carriers and took the lowest bids. When the dust cleared, many carriers could not compete with the “low-ball” bids U.R. provided and they were dropped like yesterdays trash. On C.D. United Roads keeps getting negative ratings for non-payment but they would disappear days later once payment was finally received (adding insult to injury). You know the old adage: “You Get What You Pay For”. We actually miss hauling for Carmax but we just couldn’t give them the rates they wanted.

 

Just say NO! to cheap freight!!!
We will never see the rates we used to as long as someone is willing to do it for no real profit

 

All of what is being discussed here is what is wrong with America today. Big businesses are choking out the little guys and the little guys are what keeps our industry and the economy as a whole going. If we don't come together and refuse these cheap rates its only going to get worse. As far as brokers being the bad guys here.....yes an no. The brokers need to bid the work so that they and the carrier make money. Simple as that. But you get these brokers that want to undercut other brokers and drive the price down. Believe me the broker is going to get theirs and that doesn't leave much for the carriers. As long as the carrier is happy (which most are not right now) I don't care what the broker makes. They are in business as carriers are. But when they bid moves so cheap that the only one that wins is the end consumer, that keeps the market price down. If Bob wants his car moved from A to B, the broker needs to take into consideration all the factors in that move like size of the vehicle, pick and drop locations, time frames, etc. Most are not doing that. They put all vehicles big and small into the same box. This is a problem. Drivers show up to find vans that are extended and high tops, ladder racks on trucks and in a lot of cases the vehicles full of crap which none of this was described when the carrier booked the load. Now what do you do? The broker is not going to give you their money, they aren't gong to go to the customer to get more money so your stuck with it or you cancel. Here comes the negative ratings and worse loss of space on the trailer or no vehicle at all. UR bid Carmax moves so cheap that it is and will continue to bite them in the ###. Metro, JMN, RAT, and many others are no different. One of the three mentioned had an 8 pack from Florida going 1000 miles for 17 cpm per vehicle and someone took it. Are you kidding me? WTF? So I encourage ALL carriers out there to pay attention to the brokers who look out for the them and ultimately their customers to provide good service and good rates to the people who are doing most of the work, the carriers. And by all means let the cheap brokers know how you feel. If you don't stand up for yourself and others you'll fall for anything.

 

Cheap rates are not only due to brokers and big companies but also due to small carriers that are in depth over their heads. Last week I was waiting to get some cars on and the normal going rate is about $300.00 from and then I see car pops up for $175. I call the person and I ask if the car is ready and I advise him that the going rate is $300.00, the answer I got from him that if I want I can take for $200.00 I said " No thank you have nice day" and hang up. I kept monitoring the posing on CD and the car was gone in about 15 minutes. Since I a had other car that had to be picked up from same location I accidently seen the other carrier pick up this car that was posted for $175.00 (I'm most positive it was him because ha had plates from NJ and the car was going to NJ and same type of the car that was posted). The equipment he was driving was a 1 or 2 year old GMC 3500 and 3 car trailer. This setup alone is about $65000.00 and plus insurance and operating cost. I guess those people that have huge payments have to take any thing that pops out and keep on driving so they can make payment and bank don't take their truck. But I'm sure that the person that was posting this will post next time for 150 and see if any one calls. That week I took home 3 empty spots on the trailer. Mine question is it better to leave loads like this or take them. I can say that I lost $200.00 but I won that I did not take the cheap load. I'm not sure its better to win or lose in this kind of game.

 

Maybe the problem is he doesn't have enough debt so he can take a cheaper load ? That's been my theory . How do you pay for a 220k truck running 22 cpm ? You dont.

 

Here's the thing, I hate to say it like this but this part of the industry isn't going to see a rebound. I have been in this since 95 and know there is many others here that have been in it longer than I have. The rates are the same and in many cases less today then they were back then. My take on it....#1 technology makes it to easy to "post" loads and someone get that load or car and haul it. The days of personal interaction between people face to face are going away thanks to webcams etc. #2 I haven't ever worked for a union carrier BUT the more they fade the worse you will see rates get. They have helped keep them at least where they are today. They actually seem like they want to see their employee make a decent wage. #3 Lots are throwing URS under the bus on the CarMax deal but get over it. I hate to be blunt but there is TONS of other vehicles to move out there outside of CarMax. URS has lost plenty of work to smaller carriers that cut the rate on freight to take it from URS. Greer SC is a prime example. 2 small carriers and 1 larger took the majority of the work URS had there. These brokers and also companies that are a "name" with solely O/O's working for them get paid one way or the other. When they only take 15% of the load from said O/O then cutting the rate $200 for example is chump change for them but digs deeper in the truck owners pocket. Bottom line is for every 1 carrier/company you see disappear there is 10 more waiting in the wings ready to swoop in and take over at the same if not less money. Bottom line is what is here now is here to stay the way I see it. Some will make it and some wont. Some will choose to leave it (I wish I could and hope to in the future) and others will tough it out and make it.
Hope I don't piss too many off with my 2 cents but tend to be a little harsh at times.
Stay safe!

 

I agree sxdime, but we can't just roll over and except things the way they are because yes they will get worse. I don't have the answers to all of this but the more drivers that refuse the cheap rates than can sustain themselves for a while will win in the end. Same thing as the financial crisis in 08 and 09. Those of us that were able to survive found themselves or at least in our case gaining customers and getting higher rates because a lot of the drivers that ##### out their trucks did not make it. The strong will survive but must run as a pack. I agree with the Carmax/UR comment also. There is plenty more out there than that fiasco. I feel sorry for those that put all their eggs in one basket and now are suffering. I guess we will just have to stay strong and see how this cycle plays out once again. Those of us that have been in this industry for years have seen many come and many go. Lets make sure we tell all drivers out there not to be a #####! LOL. but seriously!