Why does it seem everyone hates brokers

Well, I get the feeling a good amount of brokers/agents, especially in the larger brokerages, just really don’t understand trucking in general. So there’s a disconnect that can easily be taken as disrespect. And we tend to not like people who are or are being disrespectful .

...Not really knowing what’s involved in 8ft tarping machinery, Traffic, how dangerous it can be at times, going down mountains, the prior blood sweat n tears involved , the physically getting hurt Times, the days n weeks from home and family, the amount of responsibility, keen descisions, studying and money management it takes to stay a float. The stress and the hours worked. The tight schedules we squeeze into, the interaction with d.o.t, setting up and keeping our offices complaint with fmcsa regs, how many hats we have to wear at times via truck driver, owner, mechanic, dispatcher, account, safety & Etc etc ... **multiple & intensify this by years n years of doing the same thing**

If you don’t have a good grip on these type of things, then I might think you come across as a floozy. But I have a couple of “floozy” type customers and that’s ok, as long as they don’t get rude and try to belittle then it’s its just business. I try my best not to take things personal, but business is personal to me. So I try to balance it and not let my emotions be my master and all that good stuff.

 

Well for starters they lie to the truck, the customer and over the years haven't paid on time or as per the agreement. The double triple brokering of loads has always been an on going issue. Me I've had very little to do with brokers and the little I have had wasn't good.

 

Brokers also have a hard time understanding they arent the only broker we work with. So if I book a load with them that picks up at 14:00 and I have a delivery 50 miles away at 9 am but bnb yet they dont off load me till 15:00 that is not my doing and doesnt reflect on my service it's another customer and out of my control. Its as always about them their load no consideration for anyone else.

Funny thing happened just today

I cant tell you how many times times I get screwed when I book a load and they cancel on me at last minute after 5 PM forcing me to sit an extra day and lose all other loads i had lined up. Most of the time reason why is they got someone willing to do it cheaper.

Well things been so slow lately I decided to play there game. I cancelled a load today cause I got a better one paying $1600 more then the one I was on. I told them reefer broke down cant do load. Hey I gave them more respect then bv they give me by giving them 12 hours notice to find another truck. I get an email from the guy look what he says.

Hi John,

I need the proof's to show the same to my customer. Hence I would request you to kindly share the repair receipts.

Thanks & Regards,

So I replied back to him reminding him of the fact I am in baton o way obligated to show any reciepts for anything basicly said cant afford the repair till next week I would be hauling dry freight till then. Well he responded back with.

John,

Thank you for your reply. I will be posting a complaint on all the load board against your MC#.

Once again thanks for your time and email!

Thanks & Regards,

So I sent him another email saying ok let's play this game. I did a load for yall 2 weeks ago bnb I am owed detention on was never paid. Tell you what you do what you gotta do and I'll post against your bond on what I was never paid.

I just got a reply he changed his attitude real quick.

John,

I apologize for the last incident that happened, I wasn't aware about that, however, we do not want any other bad experience for you from our end. Hence, would request you to kindly ignore the previous email, regarding complaints.

Thanks & Regards,

That just made my week lol

 

That's why I've been on here. I find it helpful as a broker to have an understanding of what you guys are dealing with and doing on a day to day, and to give you guys an alternate perspective that you might not normally get.

 

I just had one earlier. Not going to mention the broker name, however this is what went down.

Accepted load out of Indianapolis going to N.C. 550 mile load, Rate con sent/signed for 30 pallets at 20k lbs.for $1400. Arrived at shipper only to find out that they want to send 60 pallets from 2 different locations. Whoa, chief, let's put the brakes on. Now granted these are empty stacked pallets, no biggy but the contract was for $1400/30 pallets/20klbs. Called broker and he threatens to put me on Do not use list blah blah. I had to remind him what our contract was and I will take the load but not for the same rate. Got him to add another $100 just for hassle. But he surely didn't like it.

So in other words, it was a sham and a lie from the get go. Broker and shipper was hoping I was some flunky that wouldn't say anything. We aren't out here for our health nor are we a charity. Just my $.02

 

I hate that mess. I try to make sure my drivers have as close to accurate an idea of what they're getting into as I can provide from the office.

 

So only another hundred for an extra stop and double the freight? You're nicer than I am.

 

The other location ended up being around the block in the same industrial park. Total load weight is 28k. $2.70/mile.. not too bad.

 

Example Joplin is a good lane to get freight. rates are fair from April till Jan following year. When you call on a load to Iowa pays 1450 and broker only wants to pay 800 because everything around you KS OK AR is dead they cut the rate because they know your stuck and surrounded by junk. New Prime they always cut the rate 30 40% they have trucks in the area to cover the load but who knows maybe there is a sucker out there.

 

I'm considering going on my own and using a broker I've known for years for one side of the haul, I know he'll make money off me. He knows I'll make the customer happy. Pretty sure we are both satisfied with the rate