Yes, I'll pull for cost in an emergency. But my cost includes all the costs that everyone knows plus replacement, labor, benefits, taxes and return on investment and it is 1.78 CPM. I need 1.90 CPM or more to remain profitable. When you operate like this everything is covered. You are compensated for your efforts and don't tire of the grind. The taxes are paid and there is money for replacement and repairs. In a bind the 0.07 CPM return on investment can be used for something else without taking a cut in pay. I challenge anyone who thinks they can run a truck in a lease operation for less than 1.38 CPM. I challenge anyone who thinks they can run a truck and trailer with their own authority for less than 1.78 CPM. The only good thing about owners that run for cost is they won't be affecting rates forever. I don't wish them bad luck. I wish they would wise up and see the big picture. Now I'm no more special than anyone else and will do what I must to survive short term or in a bind. But I have deadheaded home to Missouri from New Jersey too. If I can't make money I won't help someone else make money. I can go broke deadheading or parked just as easy as I can pull loads that earn someone else money and not me. I understand that it takes a lot of heart to do this because I went broke once not doing it. There is always another option besides hauling for cost. It is often not as obvious and always more frightening and risky but it will pay off in the long run for you and our industry. EDIT: Just so everyone understands the deadhead choice I spoke of, here are the facts. I could take a load that almost paid cost of operation on a Friday afternoon or set all weekend hoping for a better load on Monday. I chose to DH home, spend 36 hours with the family and load another good paying load on Monday mid-morning going East.
I have never had any of those you mentioned to tell me that they would need to run a change in contract through their legal department before booking the load. If there is something that I don't agree with on a contract or load confirmation then I will change it. If they don't agree then I don't haul the load. Just because someone presents you with a contract doesn't mean that you can't change it. Most of the broker contracts are one sided. I have changed many of them over the years. I won't sign any contract that has a penalty or fine for being late. If the truck breaks down or you get stuck in a wreck you could be later than your appointment time. I refuse to sign any contract where I could lose money or be fined for something that is out of my control. I understand why some brokers will put that into a rate confirmation. I have a very good on time record with anyone with whom I have done business, but I won't take a chance on something happening that could cost me money. If it is in the contract then it is legally binding, no matter what they may tell you verbally.
Then you have never asked them to change the contract for detention time like listed above for specific amounts. And, if you say you have I challenge you to produce a contract that you've had changed. Like they say, all hat and no cattle.
I make changes that I feel are important to me. I have no reason to show you any contract with anyone whom I do business.
That's because they don't exist!!! It's the internet. Easy to say one thing and do another. You can cross things out I agree but having them write into a contract detention time, well, that's BS.
How to find "what is cheap freight". After you have accepted the load fax the broker a request to find out what the shipper paid to have the load moved. He has a legal obligation to share this information with you. Don't expect to be happy and don't expect too many more loads from this broker. Think, if you lease to a company, they pay plates, insurance, and other benefits and pay you 65% and up of what the load pays. A broker provides none of this and still wants to give you only 70% of what the shipper pays. Say NO to cheap freight and there is no such thing as a back haul unless your truck runs cheaper in on direction than is does in another.
You don't know anything about my business. You don't know my rates. You don't know whom I do business. You don't know me. If you think that you know so much then identify yourself. Unless you work for someone with whom I do business you don't know my rates. I don't need to prove anything to you or anyone else. Perhaps you should go troll somewhere else.
Broker does not have to tell you the rate! You pay insurance if leased on. There are no benefits paid to leased operators.
§ 371.3 Records to be kept by brokers. (a) A broker shall keep a record of each transaction. For purposes of this section, brokers may keep master lists of consignors and the address and registration number of the carrier, rather than repeating this information for each transaction. The record shall show: (1) The name and address of the consignor; (2) The name, address, and registration number of the originating motor carrier; (3) The bill of lading or freight bill number; (4) The amount of compensation received by the broker for the brokerage service performed and the name of the payer; (5) A description of any non-brokerage service performed in connection with each shipment or other activity, the amount of compensation received for the service, and the name of the payer; and (6) The amount of any freight charges collected by the broker and the date of payment to the carrier. (b) Brokers shall keep the records required by this section for a period of three years. (c) Each party to a brokered transaction has the right to review the record of the transaction required to be kept by these rules. [45 FR 68942, Oct. 17, 1980. Redesignated at 61 FR 54707, Oct. 21, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 15421, Apr. 1, 1997]
