How are Brokers NOT to blame?

Supply and demand is dead? Haha, sure. That statement is operating on the opposite extreme of the statement that says supply and demand is the only component of price. Neither is correct. For this conversation there is a market clearing price and that is different than a listed price. We probably can't know the market clearing price of the example you started this thread with the only logical thing we can know is the listed price is the floor.

Second point is the marginal price setter. It doesn't matter if out of 100 trucks 99 say no to that listed price. It only takes one. Okay you are offended some human listed the price below a line in the sand that causes you to have an emotional reaction. Yes we're all in this together and we compromise when we reach an agreement and products move. Some don't like to negotiate and take it personal. Whatever floats your boat.

 

Well when capitalism in the bottom rung has become cutting each other's throats for a lesser and lesser piece of the pie just to stay afloat when the middle man already ate half the pie, that's kind of ####ed up, don't you think?

 

You're trying to dress up a simple concept into something that it's not. Just come out and say it, your britches get in a little twist from the time tested strategy of low ball first offers in a negotiation.

Okay, you don't like low ballers, and...

"What is the variable of the data set in this matrix of calculations advancing the cross section of supply and demand characteristics...blah blah blah"

Sir, you don't need a graph or data or anything else to learn how to respond to low ball first offers.

 

Crony capitalism is garbage. Simple as that. The capture of the regulatory process through lobbyists and legislation amongst other strategies to gain an unfair advantage is pure garbage. And guess what cronyism will always exist. But that's a different conversation.

Okay, some guy decided to do some work at a loss, that's not him cutting my throat, that's him making a decision in his own self interest. If the middle man in this conversation is eating half the pie when the historical average seems to be 15% that just tells me something is not right either with the calculation of what the middle man is truly getting on average, the majority of new entrants en masse have horrible negotiating skillls, or the possibility of shenanigans such as discrete cartels of price fixing.

Some guys see a problem some guys see an opportunity.

 

Facts:
1. There is currently an oversupply of trucks/drivers in the spot market IF you want to see decent rates

.2. A broker is not a charity, hes trying to increase his profit margin. IF youve worked with him before, he MAY offer a better rate since he knowd youre reliable etc

3. Posted rates are posted rates, theyre negotiable, ever notice a rate going up after noon on friday?

4. Things are worth only what someone will pay. Or in trucking terms, if 30 guys are willing to haul for 2$/mile, you simply cant expect to get 3$/mile

5. Capitalism is not about making YOU money, and it tends to reward unscrupulous actors (be that gaming the system or simply focusing on the short term profit with no regard to the future)

 

FWIW , I believe you Drivers have all the power you need to have all conditions and pay just how you want it. Drivers make this rockin world go round. Without you we do come to a halt. Think about it , Everything stops without you. YOU ARE THE KEY TO everything.
Yes you need communication, yes you need to organize somewhat. With a way to stop the people that are not going to settle. If there are truly so many that are not willing to do something constructive for themselves, the world is in for trouble. Because you need communication and cooperation to make life good for the most of us. That is going to take temporary tough times. But if everyone was understanding and was aware of a little suffering now can make for a strong healthy industry, I think any rational Driver would be willing to do a little suffering. Besides they (they being the power we pay for but are not doing a good job) are going to make us suffer anyway, and they call the shots. You can with some discipline , communication, and a desire to do what is right for you, call your own shots. The money is there , we all see where it's going. It's not going to those who earn it , or those who deserve it. They get the lions share because they think they have you trapped. The only limits we have are what we give ourselves. I love you Drivers, you deserve to get a fair return for keeping this world going , while people that do nothing make speeches of "your so welcome" when they have done NOTHING and nobody said "thank you" . You are NOT just a cog in the machine YOU are the machine that keeps the world in a working condition. It all begins in the mind , just get the thought of all of you calling your shots as you should, and what you may need to do about it , that is how it begins. That is all you need to do for a start. Don't hate me for being a dreamer. You all are better than anything I have even dreamed of. Thank You.

 

You do realize that the shippers give the brokers a rate that they want the load to ship for right? The shippers want it shipped for as cheap as possible. Just like when you buy a car you don’t want to pay sticker you want it less than sticker price. Quit blaming brokers and go get your own customer then you should be able to make 10k a mile on all loads!!

 

I assume a year ago when rates were ridiculously high that you refused to take more than say $4/mile? And you expect brokers to treat you in the same fashion?

 

Sounds like another fool about to go out of business.