Picked up a trouble partial load

Hello everyone.
This morning I picked up a partial load from Indiana, going to California.
I run a step deck trailer, my main deck was already fully loaded (40’x8’x9’6”). Had my upper deck for that partial load, which broker sold as 2-piece load, 10ft needed, tarps, air ride.
When I arrived for pick up, they said that there is an extra 16ft long bar. I didn’t have space for it on my trailer, but upon agreeing with the broker and the shipper I strapped it to the trailer frame just to take this load. Of course they also loaded 2 pieces (machines) on the deck.
It took me almost 2h to secure and tarp everything, with the very entertained audience of (very kind) shipper’s employees in the background.
So I left and after 2.5h of driving broker called my dispatcher and informed that they forgot 1 piece (this would be a piece number 4 on a load that I booked as 2-piece affair) and asked that I come back and pick it up.
I refused, it was too far and it would destroy my hos for this week (effectively next one’s too as a result). They did want to pay extra (I don’t know how much, it never came to that point), but I have a monday appointment for my main load delivery, and this bs would set me back 1 day.
Now the broker is saying that we didn’t use all 10ft od the deck (please mind the 16ft bar that they added), so he is not going to pay us, because his customer is not going to pay him for incomplete shipment.
While I do undetstand that #### happens and I would really come back if I was up to 1h away, I was just too far by the time they contacted us.
What do you think guys, how should I protect myself with this? I really don’t see my fault here...

 

I may not need the upper deck for my load out of Cali, but I won’t be going to Indiana, and my folowing loads MAY or may not require that space (both dimension and weight wise).
Thanks for the idea though.

 

Thanks for your honest opinion

I do own my truck. What I don’t own is a transportation authority, so I pay % for dispatch.

This might be the best idea. Thank you.
I prefer not to disclose the broker’s name before this mess ends. If they delivere on their promise of not paying me, I will.

 

Sure they can. It will probably eat their profit though. Which I understand. I don’t like working for free either, but I can’t make up for other people’s mistakes sometimes... You are a good man for turning around 3h into the trip. I salut you, but mu choice was also between doing my 34 somewhere in the middle of nowhere in Arizona, or spending the weekend with my other half (after five weeks on the road).
If I was on paper, I’d go back for that piece and still be In CA before Monday.