How do I deal with rude shippers / customers

A.B.P. Always Be Professional. 2 wrongs don't make a right. Maybe the guy didn't get any the night before or the milk he poured on his last bowl of Fruity Pebbles was sour. We are the professionals. Any numbnutz can work in a warehouse, it takes training and skill to do what we do. Just remember, if you are polite and professional, that idiot most likely won't remember you or your company 5 minutes after you walk out the door. But, if you act disrespectful or agressive, they will remember, and you and your company may not be invited back. And in todays tight freight market, companies need customers and your company wouldn't be very polite and respectful when they ask you to clean out your truck because an attitude cost them business.

Just remember, your paycheck is larger than his (or at least it will be)...some of these yahoos are just simply jealous because they think all we do is sit there and hold the steering wheel all day and collect our pay. Most have no idea what it's like from our perspective.

 

That would be basic attire for laying on the couch Sunday afternoon eating pizza, not for presenting yourself in a professional manor at a customer.

Again I can see where you would get the idea this is the norm because unfortunately is has become the norm for the majority of drivers.

 

I've yet to deal with this and I'm always curious if I'm just ignorant to it.

I've had some cranky receivers/shippers but never anyone who was outright mean or degrading to me.
I always walk up with a smile and ask their name and how they're doing, often times they're friendly, but sometimes they cut straight to business, ignore me, and just ask for my paperwork or pickup number. I don't really consider that to be mean or degrading though, what do I care if they hate their job.

The friendliest encounter I've had was actually at a military base where I hung out with some officers playing cards waiting on the contractors to show up. I got a brief tour of their new building and the whole 9 yards.
The worst was when I backed into a spot in the customers yard and some cranky guy came running out to me screaming that only his drivers park there and I had to wait in the street. I got the "you're a driver you should know this" speech so I simply asked if he ever considered putting a sign up and parked on the street. He was a lot nicer when he was signing my bills.

 

Stop and shop isn't that bad.

 

I've probably seen more rude truckers than shippers & receivers.

 

I'm actually looking beyond all of this that you are dealing with today. I would like to see you be successful, and making stupid money. Don't be who they expect. Be the young driver that's bringing the A Game every time he plays. They're expecting you to be the bare minimum of a driver. Be the best driver. On the high end of the business, the only color that matters is green. Peace!

 

It's got to be better than Jewel / Osco.

 

Unfortunately This is also what I see now days

 

Number one thing I got from this job is that people are complete ######## if they can't be fired for it. You're not alone.