My first fight with a broker as an Owner Operator

Hello folks,

So this is going on at the moment. This is actually my first broker broo-ha, so I need a little guidance. I plan to see it out just for the experience.

So yesterday I'm in Hutchens, TX and I sign for a power-only picking up in Ft. Worth 30 miles away. It is a 7-day loadout ending up in El Paso for $500. Broker is Hola Transportation. Pick is 4 pm at the latest.

So I get the ratecon at 2:47 pm. I notice that the rate is incorrect at $695, and also in the lower left where I'm supposed to sign, there is another carrier's name by mistake. All my other info is correct. Probably an oversight on their part.

So I called them and advise them. She says that since time is of the essence, just cross out the other company's name and insert mine, then send it back to her. I agreed, but I told her I would not pick up unless I received a corrected ratecon. Then I got rolling.

At 3:33 pm, I received the "corrected" ratecon. They had changed the $695 to $500, but FORGOT to correct the company name on the lower left. I DID NOT SIGN. I Called again.

At 4:02 pm, I finally received the corrected ratecon. So I get out of my truck and walk to the shipper's office. GONE FOR THE WEEKEND. I'm livid and I shot the broker a couple of colorful emails. I then headed to the Love's on I-35 south of Ft. Worth. They of course tried to deflect and put the blame on me, saying that I had received the ratecon with more than enough time to make it to the shipper. I replied that the ratecons were INCORRECT TWICE, and that with all the fraud going on, I was not going to accept until they sent me a correct one, which they finally did AFTER shipper had closed.

So today I get an email from the broker stating that they are going to give the load to another carrier on Monday. I reminded him that we have a binding agreement. He said that if I wanted to stay on the load, that I would have to sign the last ratecon they sent me for $500. (I had never signed the last ratecon when I had arrived at the shipper because every minute counted at that point.)

So now I'm not taking kindly to being pushed around or manipulated. I tell him that if he broke the agreement, I would go after his bond AND his customer for $695. I gave him the option of giving me $150 TONU/Layover, and releasing him of his obligation.

He came back with either: A) accept $75 TONU and terminate our agreement, B) stay on the load but I would have to sign the last ratecon for $500, or C) he would give the load away.

So now I'm itching for a fight. I told him HIS choices were to either give me $150 TONU, or I would file against him and shipper for $695. I also told him that I would be shooting an email to his customer advising on what is going on.

His last reply was, "I will take the consequences."

Any advice from you guys? Understand that the money is not the issue. Hell, I can take the $75 and be tickled pink to just get them out of my life. But it's the PRINCIPLE now. Plus I need to learn the process on how to fight these scum bags.

 

Do I have a leg to stand on?