Broker wants original BL mailed in?

It happens. I think some of them use this to delay payment or make it difficult but it's certainly within their rights. I've come across it more than once. Be sure to make a copy first then send it off if you want to get paid.

 

What General Lee said. Next thing might be that they didn't get it.

 

that's easy, send it where they have to sign for it, and depending on the amount of the freight bill, send it priority or overnight.

 

The next time you call about a posted load, this is the first question that should be asked before anything is even spoken about a posting.
1. Do you have a quick pay system? if they say yes, ask how does it work. Do they accept a fax? If they say No, tell them your waiting on the mailman to delivery payment now from shippments, and that you can not afford to pour $500 in the fuel tanks only to wait to get it back in 15-30 days later.

Brokers don't seem to understand that you can't pour $300-$500 each day in the fuel tanks for each shipment moved, and then wait 15-30 days later to get each one of those back. Your cashflow is out of balance!

UTi.
Fetch.
Atlantic.
Access America.
all want postal delivery of BOL's.

 

Anything to delay paying the driver for doing the work. I agree, unless I am familiar with who ever is paying me, I use their quick pay system.

 

I have one broker I deal with that wants originals in the mail. I only deal with him because the loads are good and he was willing to compromise. I send him a faxed copy on delivery and mail the original to him. He pays me half when he gets the fax and the rest when he gets the original. I'm still out some money but spending$300 on fuel is better than spending$600.

 

Don't send the original. You can lose your right to payment if you don't have the original BOL in hand and the broker stiffs you. They can get paid by their client just fine with a copy. If they insist, then let that broker know that you won't be using them in the future.

 

15 to 20 yrs ago, this was common practice. They all required the original BOL.

 

I pull for Swift and I've pulled Access America loads they booked ... I still have the originals.