Fighting cheap freight

Right there, you just proved my point, ALMOST ALWAYS, not ever, but ALMOST always, so you are willing to throw that one load that IS good, away to make yourself feel better? Imagine if you did that to every broker who offered you less than what you thought it should be, you would be out of business quicker than most.

But seemingly you just don't get it, don't want to get it, or don't care, either way, it's mainly your problem, not anyone else's.

Good luck.

 

There are some good brokers around, just as there are some bad ones. Anyone who has been in trucking for any length of time, has had the experience of dealing with a sleazeball broker. But, I have a list of good brokers that have presented themselves with a high level of professionalism. Berating a broker does nothing to help the situation and only makes the owner operator look bad. There is overhead to any business, even with a home office. But, just because a broker has an office at home, doesn't mean that he has no overhead, nor does it mean that he is not doing a good job or getting decent rates. Everyone needs to start somewhere. They could have family reasons for having a home office, but still need to earn a living. I have done business with a broker for years who has always had an office at home. She has small children and wants to be close to them. Her rates are not great, but she has always conducted herself in a professional manner and has always kept her word. That means a lot to me. I can still make a profit from her loads.

 

I'm still waiting to hear from a broker who is willing to take only office expenses as commission for a load... you know, like THEY expect US to haul 45k lbs 3000 miles for the price of fuel and a Big Mac... heck, that's only 5 days work and wear & tear on the truck for NOTHING, but hey, ya paid for the FUEL! The Arabs are happy!

 

@ sjmay,

So in a nutshell, if a trucker offends a broker the trucker is only scr#wing himself, because the broker will never want to work with him again and that is good business.

However, if a broker offends a trucker the trucker should take it because it's bad business to burn a bridge with a broker. No matter how many times a broker is a complete toolbag to me I should always think that someday he will have that million dollar load for me.

To summarize, the rules according to sjmay. A broker should burn bridges with truckers anytime they have a little attitude or express disatisfaction with a rate offer. that's GOOD business. But a trucker should never, ever burn a bridge with a broker no matter how much of a ####y douchebag they are. that's BAD business.

 

I think you are surmising a lot here. I don't think he's saying that at all. I believe he agrees its a two way street.

 

I thought he basically flat out said if you get offered $1/mile you should remain polite, thank them, and hang up. I know he said if you get lippy that you've scr#wed yourself.

So add it up, the broker offends me by offering me a load which costs me money to move, I am supposed to remain polite so I don't "burn that bridge".

However, if I express my disatisfaction with the load I should assume the broker will be offended and of course it is permissible for a broker to burn the bridge when they are offended.

Isn't that what I just said ? What part didn't you understand, or what part did I get wrong ? What I'm trying to say is it's offensive to offer someone a money losing rate, and it's offensive when a trucker hollers at you or slams the phone. Why is it good business for a broker to burn the bridge when he's offended, but bad business for the trucker to burn the bridge when he's offended ? I don't know what clearer language I can use here.

I guess this is the part where you tell me I'm so far out in left field you don't need to respond. Or you accuse me of name-calling, or some other diversionary tactic to move the conversation away from my iron-clad argument.

 

No, actually you make a good point. But what good does it do to use profanity or act immature towards a person. You could explain the situation just as you did here and they might finally get it and request a rate increase. All you can do is ask.

 

A good broker would never contract out a load at that rate and try to find a sucker to take it. I have many brokers on my 'do not call' list. I have no qualms about that. They could have $10/mi freight. I don't care. If they offer me $1.05 on a load, I won't give them any of my business for what little they think of me and mine.

 

Hey, send me the names and numbers of the brokers that you won't do business with. I'll haul their $10/mi freight