How do you deal with brokers that call several times checking up on you?

I enjoy the conversation. It snaps me out of any lull if I am in one.....make them talk for a minute or so! LOL.

 

I call them first

 

Send email in the morning at 7 or 8 am with location. Train the ones you're hauling for to expect it. If you're doing late night deliveries just update in the morning "checked in at 2 empty, clean bills at 4." Easy.

This is how I do it with my regulars. They don't even call anymore, just email or text me and ask when I want the appointments set for

 

I beat them to the punch by calling or sending an email to the account manager, when I arrive at shipper, depart at shipper, arrive at consignee and depart consignee.

I've been using (more often) the online portal that most good sized brokers have to update my load progress in their system. That's another way to minimize the check calls.

 

Block thier phone numbers

 

this call you made to me has caused me to be a certain amount of delay to park and return your call. How late can you tolerate this load? Quit calling.

In the past when brokers were given my number that is not to be given out I have been known to pull the battery from the cell and change numbers. When the employer demanded a new number for their files, I gave them the state capitol number for the main switch board. =)

It isnt long before they stop calling and making that load more later than it is already.

 

If it’s one of those that calls every hour or two,put them on hold for a few minutes, and each time make it longer.

 

I've learned to use one or two brokers. They learn to know I will be on time and if any problems they know I will call. They call once in the am to say hi. They know if I'm sleeping or cranky I won't answer. But if I happen to have a brain fart and book a load with tql the phone never stops ringing.