Going behind broker's back?

I would advise against it. What you are talking about doing is unethical. It may not violate the letter of the contract, but it is unethical. If you want others to deal in an ethical manner with you then you need to act responsibly when dealing with others. In business, your word means everything. Even if it isn't written down in a contract you need to make sure that you do the right thing. It will pay dividends later. If you develop a reputation as someone who has no ethics then that will also be rewarded in kind.

 

I know some brokers get the shipper to test the waters so watch what you do never bite the hand that feeds you....

 

It's just sad what the industry has come to. A trucker talks to a guy on the
Loading dock and his eyes get so big that he is already thinking about buying more trucks to cover work he doesn't even have lol. And it's his first run. I don't like what brokers stand for, I don't like what they do, what they are, or what they tell you. But my fellow truckers are so full of it that it makes me feel like a douche just for being accociated in the same field. I hope that things work out for this guy I really do I want everybody to have a chance at success. But if this shipper is so quick to cut the broker out and go with a guy who has only done one run what makes him think he'll be able to sleep at night knowing other drivers are on that same loading dock hearing the same shippers not happy story. For the guys who have made money in this business and have been successful, they know a fairy tale when they hear one.

If I'm wrong I apologize.

 

If the shipper come to you go for it how else do you think you going to get direct freight Soung like you are talking about the freight that your broker dont handle. If a broker is treating you good dont mess with his freight you may need him again

 

Keep all your phone numbers and contact names in your little black book, build your reputation a an honest operator, be patient and learn the ins and outs of things. One day when you have been in this business long enough you will realize you haven't done and biz with that shipper or that broker in several years, thats the time to make your move when all the deals are off. Never jump on something the first time going in like that, if the shipper approaches you again which more than likely he will not, tell him you are working some things and it will take time but for now this is working out, non commital. I find that there IS a use for brokers in some areas, you can get them to pay before the shipper or receiver pays, quick pay programs stuff like that. Sure it costs some money to do the quick pay but you will learn to negotiate that in the rate, yes? Your just getting going here don't burn the house down cause someone show you a nice motorcoach with wheels. Like mentioned before, how do you know you are not being set up? Careful careful till you know whos who. Just an opinion.

 

I have not seen even a single good honest broker yet. So why is it so bad to backstab the broker. USA Truck is telling me for two picks and two drops $1000 out of DE (two stops) going to TN (two stops) with 800 aprox miles. She said that's the best she can do. That not event the basic cost to run a commercial truck. What are we charging the customer??

 

Is that you MB Guru??

 

Thanks for the confidence. GK, I wouldn't straight back solicit this broker. Typically if another Landstar agent has a customer, but doesn't do any business with that customer for 90 days, that customer becomes "open the pursue," which means I can go after their business. I would stay clear of it altogether as an independent. If you really want to solicit it, I would get connected with a better broker and refer them to this person and let them deal with it. That way, you're out of it all together, and you'll still get loads from your current broker and open up possibilities with a new broker. I've known drivers to do that. I've known brokers like this who do a poor job and send in anyone they can just to get a load covered. I can't really blame the shipper for not wanting to use him anymore.

That said, if I found out you back solicited me when we had a relationship, I wouldn't be happy with you, especially if I place my trust in you to do a good job and be an extension of my business. I probably wouldn't use you again. So you've got a decision to make. Do some thinking and come to a conclusion.

 

If you concerned about the back solictation clause in your contract they are generally not worth the paper they are written on. The threat is what makes them effective.

If you have no morals and want to get ahead the go ahead and take all the businees from the broker. If you have a good relationship with broker and the shipper are currently using another broker for some of there lanes you can call the broker and tell them what you are going to do and he most likely would not have a problem with it.

But if you do go into business with out the current brokers knowledge he will not use you anymore.