Internet Truckstop

I agree that it is bad business, shameful conduct, unethical, and downright dirty.... but it's not fraud. Now if you had a written agreement with them that states they were to receive a set percentage and they lied about what they were getting from the customer, then it would be fraud. If they tell you it pays $1.50 a mile and they only pay you $1.20 a mile, then it would be fraud. But generally speaking, an owner operator does business with a broker as an independent contractor and is free to agree to whatever rates they want to. Unfortunately, some people are just liars, in all types of business dealings. They use lying as a tool for negotiation and I agree with you, it's B.S.

 

NS, yes, you're right for the most part about the supply and demand aspect that reflect the rates. However, sticking with the tread subject - I have seen more than a few loads get posted by a broker at a lowball rate, then repost it $100 higher a hour or two later, then again a repost, moving another $100. Then I'll call and ask for another $300, and I've gotten it. This works well for the trucker when the load is posted on a friday and must be loaded that day to be at the costomers dock monday morning. Shows you how much the broker wants to gouge. You know full well that when a broker has a load from say Wis to Jersey (1000 mile) posted for $1500, they are quite likely getting $2200-$2400 or better. I truely TRUELY LMAO at the ones who post Wis-Miami loads (1600 miles) for like $1800 in THE SUMMER! I believe some brokers use the load board strictly as a tool to find that one sucker who will bite at the cheap rate and haul it. It'd be much like me putting my pick-up truck on e-bay with a reserve of $50,000. Odds are low I'll sell it, but hey, nothing to loose in trying.. LOL

Depends. If the one at $3.00 is what I believe to be credible and reputable, vs the one that's run by towel heads who'm I wonder if they're watering down their gas tanks (it's been done) I'll go pay $3.00. You get what ya pay for. Same with trucking. I've talked with dock foreman who shake their heads at these non english speaking drivers and their run down beat to hell rattyassed equipment. The dock foreman in charge of shipping has no control in some cases because the customer (reciever and buyer) went to a broker to find a way to get the load hauled cheaper than the trusted carrier whom the shipper has always used in the past.

I just hate seeing trucking become like wal-mart. When he product becomes the cheapest as humanly possible, so does the quality and service. If I want some new furniture and I only need it to last 9 months before it falls apart, I'll go to wal-mart. If I'd like it to last a lifetime, I'll go to the amish.

This isnt a bash on all brokers by any means either. I have delt with more than a few I respect.

 

I hear that :smt023

 

For gitts and shiggles, I looked up some loads on ITS and found one posted by TQL, today. It went from Milwaukee Wis to Newburgh NY. I had no intentions of hauling it, but called anyway just to find out the rate. The guy I spoke with said it was already covered, but paid $1,400. I'm not sure which shocks me more - that it was offered at a mere $1400, or that it actually got covered. Jesus. I'd bet a 12 pack it was a POS Chicago "carrier" that took it. The ones with Armainian drivers who speak no eengleesh.

15 years ago I took loads from Wis to NY and NJ for more than that, and juice was $1.15 back then.

Ftql

 

M.Enterprises, You P.M.'d me and asked a question. I have only been a member of this board for a couple of days and can't P.M. you back. If you would like me to address the question publicly, I will. If not...


To sum up the answer without going into detail...I've built relationships with some brokers that have treated me right and have given reliable courteous service to the best of my ability. The relationships are paying off now that times are lean. When times are good again (if they ever are) I will continue to build on an already existing positive relationship with these same people and build more goodwill to be carried over to the next lean period. I've been in the business through some good times and some very lean times (Remember Jimmy Carter?) and have always managed to stay in it and make money when a lot of guys were getting out 'cause they couldn't make ends meet.

 

Just out of curiosity....

Can someone look at a load that is posted & tell me if it shows what it is paying? I'm looking at their demo... I'm not wanting the load... Just curious of what it pays.

It's a flatbed load coming out of Chattanooga, TN going to Kent, WA. Loads on 7/23/09.

Their demo says it is only 2,449 miles... But my calculations come up with 2,592 miles.