Distribution center abuse

So you a broker or owner?

 

That's the nature of the beast. Part of the life. It was like that since I started 18 years ago and will continue to be so...
You might be at a mercy of a minimum wage toothless forklift operator, who has authority over an owner operator of $ 250 worth of equipment while it is there at a dock.
And to those who say "don't go there...problem solved" stop saying platitudes of little value - to make a living, you have to go there and endure this, just like a fish boat still needs to sail to catch fish despite bad weather.
Yes, you should mitigate - check the places before booking and charge detention or even better demand a higher rate but it does not solve the aforementioned problem that some places will continue detention practices with impunity. It is not going to change. Accept it or leave it.

 

Really? Then I guess you've never picked up a load of Tamco shingles. Now that's an all day affair .

 

That's in California?

 

Missouri. It's one of those " never again" places.

 

Here is some real life experience for you. I booked a load to Lowe's DC last week. Have signed BOL with in/out times (6 hours unloading time), broker says customer refuses to pay detention.
As a small company you can either stop delivering to this DC, or stop working with the broker. You are not gonna go to court trying to get paid for 4hrs of detention.
Whatever you say about contracts, might work with the shipper, but brokers don't sign on that kind of terms.

 

Lowe's sucks. Home Depot too. I learned the hard way too don't ever go to either with a truck. They cater to big drop and hook operations and screw over live load people like there's no tomorrow.

 

I've done several loads to my local Home Depot, one last week with big plastic water tanks. Pull up, receiver comes out and yanks them out lickity split, in and out in 20 minutes.

Now, taking plants & trees there, forget it, man.

 

And spring is the worst at those places. There busiest time of the year. Some things you learn the hard way. I am like an elephant though, once I learn a hard lesson, I Never forget!!!

 

It begs a question, if there is any legal recourse in case they really keep you there unacceptably long...more than 8-12 hours. What happens if a you loose the composure and leave...what then?
1. Is the receiver breaching the contract by not unloading you in reasonably timely manner.
2. If so, can you consider the load, be default and not your fault, refused?
3. Will shippers accept the product back? I don't think so...
4. You leave it a cross docking warehouse...seal is broken - is there a problem with that? Who pays for the storage? Are they going to accept the product from a different carrier?
5. You dump it or donate it to Salvation Army or Food Bank - you will eventually receive the bill from the shipper.
It is important to note that the assumption is that you arrived there on time and were ready to unload (hire lumpers or do it yourself) as agreed in the Rate Confirmation.