Truck Load Rates Halt 8 Week Slide 2.0

That's great, good for you!

 

Now if I could only figure out a way to multiply that rate by 2, I'd be getting somewhere in life as an owner operator, as it stands, I'm just a flunky wannabe

 

Had a good talk with a guy that is the sales manager/broker for a 200 truck fleet here in Oregon. I've been running some loads for him lately, he always treats me fairly.

We were just talking turkey about business and such. He said that he tries to operate with a 10% to 12% mark-up on his direct freight. Lately, he said conglomerates like TQL, CH Robbers, etc. have undercut him.

TQL took a customer of his that he has been servicing in the western United States for 6 years. Thousands of loads over the years for the customer, then the mfer's (TQL) had the gall to call him and ask if could help them move some of the loads because they were having difficulty moving them at their contracted rates.

What's that tell you not only about TQL but the shipper? No freaking loyalty...none.

 

Please let rates stay like this. Just scrolling through dat what's still on the board at least

900 on 186mi
800 on 129
900 on 147

Not hopeful tho

 

Yes, most shippers have zero loyalty. I only have one in fact that will stick with me pretty much no matter what. There are many times where I see other brokers trying to under cut my regular loads through another broker. They call us wanting us to haul it and we just say no. Most time well let the broker we work with know about it so they can shore up relations with their customer.

I’ve had carriers back solicit my customers and steal them, really pisses a guy off. Most of the times it’s the 50 or so truck carriers. Eventually most times we get them back when the carrier fails to live up to their word. I want to tel the customer to get lost but can’t pass up the business. My one customer always lets me know when they get back solicited so we can blacklist the carrier.

 

Do your loyalties lie with Pilot or TA??

Or do they lie with whomever has the best price??

 

I see what you did there but truck stops don’t provide a personalized service.

 

Like what? Saying, "Good morning Earl."

If you can save $100 load on a 100 loads a year, that's $10,000.

Here, I'll give you an extra 10 large cause I like your haircut.

 

Made it home by 4 p.m.

Hot shower, cold Corona with lime, feet up in my nice leather recliner watching a little television, nice home cooked meal by my wife in a few, followed by a great night's sleep in my own bed (with her) covered by Mike Lindell's sheets made from the best grown cotton in the world in Giza!

That's where my loyalty lies, I wouldn't sell her or my life down the road for a hundred bucks

 

That’s a poor argument. Have you ever had your own customer? It’s a lot more then saying good morning Earl to keep them happy. So, your saying $10,000 should be priority on potentially $10,000,000 worth of product? What if the product arrives late or damages happen more frequently? Your customers end customer is just as picky if not more as your customer is and the freight consistentcy depending on the business, can be extremely important. So, yeah a lot of shippers will want to save the money, but not necessarily the smart ones who do solid long term business. Makes no sense to lose $10,000,000 in revenue over $10,000 freight costs but I’m sure it happens everyday. Everybody is always racing to the bottom whether it’s trucking or widget makers.