I am a Freight Broker at TQL - looking for conversation and dialogue

I did two loads for them in February. Minnesota, and Ohio. Both paid me about $1.80 after the companies 20%. Dunno what the company went through to get paid, but I got paid.
The reason I would never pull for them with my own numbers or another big boy company is because of the 47 phone calls I answered on the one load, and the 56 calls on the other. When I called to pick up the loads, it like getting information on a combat sorti during the cold war. They give you the pick address and name but not the delivery.
Just wow.
I'll never fool with something like that again. Even after that second load, told my dispatcher I can't operate like this, it's absurd. They'd ask my location, I started telling them " Well, I'm 90 minutes east of the last time I spoke to you."
When I first started trucking took a load of Jaegermeister from NJ to Chicago, and that broker called once a day, and I thought that was being overly concerned on his part. Every hour to 90 minutes is just madness.

 

Ohhhhhh Dave we've probably seen each other !
Good ole Hanover warehouse in so. Kearney NJ...jagermeister capitol of the East coast .

 

Haha.. I'm having a flashback!

 

As far as I'm concerned there is absolutely nothing you can say in here in defense of TQL. Only actions would work. TQL is the number one worst brokerage out there. I haven't hauled for them in maybe 8 years.

Here are some things you can do to get back on track. Advertise the load where it's actually picking up and delivering too. NOT WITHIN a 100 mile radius.

Send the rate agreement with all the info right away. If you don't have the load then tell us. That rate conformation should have ALL info like EVERYONE else gives us like where picking up and dropping off. When picking up and dropping off. The pickup number. Don't make me call you to get dispatched. Really on that one. The name of the company and address. Not a make believe one. It's like your trying to make me into James F**** Bond. Here's your mission if you choose to accept it. Your rate agreement will self destruct in 15 seconds.

If it's a tarp load then tell us it's a tarp load. And don't act ####### surprised when I call back telling you the customer wants it tarped.

The dimensions and weight should be correct or close. Most of the time it's your attitude that you ordered a truck and you can put whatever you want on it. I signed up for 8,000 pounds and not the 47,000 pound load the customer wants to put on the back.

And stop calling me 9 times a day. Haven't you figured it out. All your calls show up as the same number no matter who calls. We all have your number programmed in. Some of us are very creative with a picture that shows up full screen to identify you.

As far as the rate goes. I don't care what your advertising. That's up to you and me if I want to take it so I give you no crap on that subject.

I have personally experienced all the above multiple times before I gave up completely on you. Sometimes I just answer the call just to tell you to shove it. Other times I click on a load in ITS so you get an alert that I'm interested. Usually it's a flatbed load picking up in Washington DC going to NY City or something similar. JUST SO I CAN WATCH MY PHONE RING NON STOP till you finally give up. Your record so far is 9 calls in a row.

You do seem to have a lot of loads. I would think you would do much better on a volume number of loads instead of trying to hit each one out of the ballpark.

 

I agree skate-board.... But..........People still move for them.

When they call me..(Which is rare, Since I don't post capacity nor use load boards) I Simply tell them Nicely.. sorry, I Don't use 3rd party logistic companies...Would you like me to service your customer directly??

"Have a Nice day" or "Click" is what I usually Got.

 

The places I go to say TQL is a pest. Always calling up the office, promise low rates and then can't deliver.

 

JRC/Consolidated Lumber Clinton MD Stay Away!!! Ripoff ########

 

Looks like I am the only one who works with them on this forum. Here is how I do it.
They usually do have very low rates. Out of 50 calls on their loads I probably book only one. After I get the confirmation, I sign and send it back and ask for the addresses right away, they usually send it within 5 minutes. If they don't, I call the agent and he sends it right away. They do one check call a day or sometimes no check calls at all.
I remember when I just started out they were slamming me with calls and tried to hold the addresses till last minute, I just said that I can't commit my truck without address and now it's not an issue. After a certain amount of good runs, I think they start trusting you and not bother anymore.
The reason they don't post all info or have no clue what's going on, it's because a TQL broker who has the load, often has his associates post on the board and that person usually does not know anything else, except what is written in notes. With dry van it's easier, but with reefer and flatbed, they do have to be more educated.
I really think that they bother people with check calls and not giving addresses till last minute, is because they are dealing with the cheapest carriers out there, who are usually not reliable, so they are paranoid about potential problems and have to be in control constantly.
I got screwed couple of times with detention and couple of times they did pay good for it. They have some ####### brokers, who I avoid dealing with, but they also have good dudes.
I probably would not book loads with them if I was doing flat or reefer, because of the incompetent dispatchers, but dry van is usually easy and if shipper and receiver are FCFS with no appointments involved, there are rarely any problems.