Another Frustrating Day.

Discussion in 'Freight Broker Forum' started by LSAgentOZR, Jan 10, 2013.

  1. rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    Feb 11, 2010
    50 miles north of Rochester, NY
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    What's to get?

    First, in an earlier post, the OP mentioned that they often get loads from customers that are automatically ordered. Later they find out that someone dropped the ball and they didn't need a truck in the first place. He said he does his best to cancel the truck ASAP so he doesn't have to pay TONU. I don't know what happened on these 5 loads (that's why I asked), but I do hope that any broker worth his salt would confirm the loads exist before booking the trucks. He obviously has no idea or even cares the impact this inconsiderate behaviour has on a trucking company. His only concern is not paying TONU.

    Second, I find it amusing....(well maybe not amusing) that of the 5 trucks that he canceled, he only feels bad for the one that was the BCO. Even though one of them was canceled twice. I guess I would like to ask LSOZ why he only feels bad for the BCO?

    Given the above, am I out of line by asking if these cancellations could have been avoided by someone at LS making a phone call? Am I out of line by suggesting that this is a bad way to do business?

    How do you think the OP would feel if I booked 9 loads with him and regularly called back to say, "Sorry, I only have 4 trucks!"

    Now, I don't want to beat up on the guy too bad because let's face it, he didn't have to put himself out there and post about the cancellations like he did, so for that I'll give him an attaboy. But you tell me....do you really think I am out of line by asking the questions I asked? Really?
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2013
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  3. LSAgentOZR

    LSAgentOZR Road Train Member

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    We don't call the customer's customer. That is their job, it's why they have a customer service department that gets paid. Our customer doesn't want us doing that. They tender the loads to us and we cover them.We don't schedule delivery appointments for the carriers/BCO's because we don't want to instill unrealistic expectations on them. They know when they can safely make it there and schedule their own appointments.

    Thankfully all but two of these were for Monday so driver's didn't even start moving into position and had plenty of time to find another load. The guy who got cancelled twice got a third load that paid even more than the first two and he was happy. The reason I felt bad for the BCO is because all of my other loads were booked so I couldn't just up and cancel a load on someone else to give them another one as that would be poor business practice... hence why I felt bad for them because I always try to take care of them first before brokering something out. All in total, they cancelled some 10-12 loads out of this plant yesterday due to orders being pushed back by customers or rejected all together.

    If you booked 9 loads with only four trucks, knowing you only had four trucks that would be intentionally deceptive. We don't know an order is going to cancel sometimes until the very last minute but we always try to make right on them by either finding another load or, if they are into their trip or on site, getting them a TONU, which they rightly deserve.
     
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  4. rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    50 miles north of Rochester, NY
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    Okay that's fine. Not going to get into a big thing about it. Personally, I don't accept your argument that LS or the customer can't do anything about it. A more accurate statement would be that nobody wants to do anything about it because it's not costing them anything. The truck is the one that pays for someone else's bad business practices. And LS is at the very least an enabler.

    As an agent, all YOU have to do is cancel. On the other hand, the trucking company must go back to the phones and waste possibly hours covering that truck again. I understand how you might be just an employee doing what the agency tells you to do. So I guess I have no quarrel with you other than you seem to think this is an OK thing to do. It ain't good business in my book. I would have more truck with you if you just came right out and said "It sucks, but I gotta do what I am told."

    Anyway, like I said, we've been down this road before and it's just my opinion.
     
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  5. Jseney12078

    Jseney12078 Light Load Member

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    Gloversville, NY
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    Okay that's fine. Not going to get into a big thing about it. Personally, I don't accept your argument that LS or the customer can't do anything about it. A more accurate statement would be that nobody wants to do anything about it because it's not costing them anything. The truck is the one that pays for someone else's bad business practices. And LS is at the very least an enabler.

    As an agent, all YOU have to do is cancel. On the other hand, the trucking company must go back to the phones and waste possibly hours covering that truck again. I understand how you might be just an employee doing what the agency tells you to do. So I guess I have no quarrel with you other than you seem to think this is an OK thing to do. It ain't good business in my book. I would have more truck with you if you just came right out and said "It sucks, but I gotta do what I am told."

    Anyway, like I said, we've been down this road before and it's just my opinion.

    Love everything you said there Rank. This practice is the bible in todays transportation business. LOL I find there is no excuse for this behavior. Years ago a simple phone call verified alot. Today who cares no cost out of their pocket. Sorry for the rest of yahs, I'm old school.
     
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  6. truckfam

    truckfam Medium Load Member

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    Cancelled twice? You'd be on my list. You talked me out of writing off an agent, who cancelled one time. My list consists of an agent who cancelled, called back, booked and then booked the load on someone else, after three days and repeated confirmations.

    You're frustrated, while you've cancelled a driver twice. How far did that driver go, for the load you cancelled? How much did it cost him/her? Why would he/she ever book with you, again? We wouldn't.

    You'd be on my crap list. Would I be wrong?
     
  7. LSAgentOZR

    LSAgentOZR Road Train Member

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    It's your personal decision. He didn't move at all and wound up getting a third load from us that paid more than the first two.
     
  8. passingthru69

    passingthru69 Road Train Member

    I think the thing is, when they canceled you let the trk. know. Then even offered him a 3rd. one and he took it and probably did a good or great job for you and the customer.
    I bet you then have that trk. in your phone listings. Not call block..
     
  9. jjranch

    jjranch Road Train Member

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    I have pulled for LSAgentOZR, and I would do it again. His firm is good to work for. I don't have a problem with cancelled loads because We only book one at a time as to prevent us from getting into a handle and as long as the TONU is paid no harm no foul in my opinion. its just business and yes companies have been known to cancel at the last moment. Just my 2 cents.
     
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  10. bigredone

    bigredone Bobtail Member

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    Jul 31, 2012
    Texas
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    While I can understand the posts that state that in this case presented by LSAgentOZR only the trucks that were cancelled lost money, yet they were informed in a timely manner and hopefully got a chance to rebook. Yet, unless I misunderstand LSAgentOZR's business it would seem that he also lost out? As the broker makes a profit of each of those loads that got cancelled. Based on having read other posts, he has a greater overhead to maintain then a single truck O/O. It would seem that there is no "winner", and orginal post was more a venting, and maybe even a little insight for those that curse the "evil broker"?
     
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