UH OH !!!!

I dont even think they need to limit the percentage that the broker can take off the top...

But I do say that the broker should be REQUIRED to provide the carrier AND the shipper with a copy of the frieght bills within a reasonable time frame. This way the carrier knows what the shipper paid, and how much the broker made... AND the shipper can also see how much the carrier made, and how much the broker kept for himself.

If everyone involved can see what everyone else involved is making or spending the free market will equalize and rates will stabilize at a price everyone can be satisfied with.

 

The problem is now, and I really don't see this reg changing, the broker is only required to show parties to the transaction. You don't agree to do the load, you don't get to see how much he's paid.

 

So Broker disclose his rate, then Trucker A tells his partner Trucker B. Trucker B under bids the rate, gets freight Direct, then Brokers our most of the Loads, and so on and so on it goes. Won’t do anything to increase rates. In that example, just the opposite.

 

That's fine... You do a load or 2 for a given broker and see what everyone made/paid.... If you think the broker is screwing you, that broker goes on your "black list" and you no longer do business with them. Eventually crooked brokers either go out of business or start paying better rates.

Big shippers will ALWAYS do business with brokers... For the simple fact that they dont have the time to fuss over finding trucks for 1000+ loads each week. Sure some small shippers might skip the broker and go right to the carrier... But its that way already, and they usually pay better than brokers.

 

And you can currently see the rates on any load you contracted to haul, and did indeed haul said load... Provided you didnt waive that right by signing agreement to that waiver in the fine print of the rate con. Sure you might have to go to the brokers headquarters, but you CAN see what the shipper paid, if you are willing to go through the effort.

 

Lip service to get your vote...

 

That’s great your carrier will show you but in reality, the way they make you go see it sucks. Kinda makes me suspicious. With us, when being dispatched all the driver has to do is tell dispatcher to just send a copy of rate con. Picture is taken and rate con is sent. With our biggest direct customer the drivers are told, rate is on the last page of the paperwork, when you sign the bills flip to last page on bottom and it’s right there. Company drivers and owner operators all know this and are welcome to look.

As for this stuff with the brokers, as much as I dislike the double brokering and the listing same load multiple ways. As in different towns all real close together. Which allows them to leave the load posted to get a cheaper rate, even though it’s already been booked. Fix those things and then let the free market work. The load boards could actually help with this.
I’ve never cared what someone else made because if I can’t get a rate that’s gonna make money for me then I’m not hauling it.
We have too many in our industry that want brokers regulated or a minimum wage put on what a truck can make. These people are really just drivers trying to play businessmen. If you need a minimum then take your truck and drive for a company that pays by the mile.
Many of these fools could go to work driving someone else’s truck and double what they make driving their own. When times were good many of them was saying it fit their business model to pay a friggin dispatch service 10-15% to find loads for them. Loads that were coming off the load board that brokers were already getting a cut of.
Many of these idiots are now wanting transparency! For what? Bottom feeders are still gonna take a cheap loads, because the negotiate from a position of desperation instead of strength.
Many have zero negotiating skills and are doing nothing to improve themselves. They want these good paying loads just handed to them on a platter so they can concentrate on driving the truck. Do they think the brokers are using unskilled or untrained people? Not the successful one. You can bet those young people are trained or constantly being trained in negotiations and sales. They understand the importance of skilled labor. Most of our fellow drivers are only skilled at driving.
What other industry would ask for the govmt to impose caps on one industry so that another can make more?
What many don’t understand is supply and demand, too many trucks, not enough freight, low rates! Too much freight, not enough trucks, higher rates. That’s why the rates have been slowly ticking up. Not because of ANYTHING these clowns have been doing in DC. The country is opening back up so more freight is becoming available.
Many will complain that the shippers haven’t cut the rates but the brokers have. Well in many cases that is true but if you want it like that, quit hauling for the broker and go get direct freight. One thing is a fact, the broker can never move a load for cheaper than a carrier is willing to haul it for. We have too many bottom feeders willing to haul for cheap.

 

What if after all of this they require us that we have to disclose what it costs truckers to haul said load per mile?

 

That would be like asking them to disclose all thier business overhead expenses... Since cost per mile is basically simplified trucker overhead.