Lying brokers, how do you handle them?

I never take the brokers word for anything. I call the shipper and receiver myself to confirm the hours before I ever load that way if there is an issue it can be handled before I get screwed.

 

Put an amendment or addendum in the rate agreement about brokers giving you bad information on appointments and hours so they have to pay you something

 

You put them on your s*** list and do not load for them again. In my experience it has only happened a few times, but then again I seek out repeat business so most of the time I know what to expect for a given load/customer.

What really used to chap my ### was when the broker would tell me it delivers at time x. Then when I deliver it as agreed, he has told the shipper it would be there at time y, which was impossible from the beginning, and then blame it on the carrier (me) for dicking it all up. To my benefit, it didn't take long for the shipper to realize what really was happening, and what do you know .... I have another direct account... : )

 

I used to have to deal with brokers, many times I would Google the companies myself and call them to verify. Then I would call the broker back, or sometimes I would call my company, and they would call the broker back and let them have it with both barrels. Especially, when they knowingly give you a load thats already late and dont tell you, then you show up and have to wait all day to bump a dock! Luckily, now I NEVER have to talk to brokers at all!

 

If it's already late and they still take all day to load you evidently they don't really want to send it anyway. Or care when it arrives for that matter. If you get that upset about it you could call the broker back and say you lied to me and I am leaving without your load. If you want to make it even dirtier wait til after 5 pm then drop that on him. On a Friday.

 

^^^^^ Tit for tat. Simple and might get the point across.

 

I have done it one time only. Deal was drop trailer in door Thursday 6 pm to be ready Friday morning. Ok cool. Friday morning comes and goes... Then same for lunch... same for dinner... they have not even started yet... Friday probably 8 or 9 pm I decide F this I am taking it and going home (wasn't far from house anyway-3 hours or so). Shipper is hopping mad, says I will never load there again. I say it looks like I would of never gotten loaded anyways so what am I really losing? Broker even offered up money for my trouble and said it's a horrible account. I got some money, and now I avoid hauling frozen bread. Way too much else out there to have to put up with that.