Load payment - is it negotiable?

Bugsy Siegel · Nov 15, 2006

Some of the posts I've read have led me to believe that what a particular load pays can be negotiated.

Is this accurate, or is it dependent upon the carrier/load, or am I just misunderstanding?

Thanks!

Tennesseahawk · Nov 15, 2006

Yes, it depends on the carrier. If the load is obviously not worth it at the rate given, sometimes they will freely bump the price, or bump it if asked. I've only heard of that coming out of Panther and FXCC.

"If I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know." - Kansas

cheri1122 · Nov 15, 2006

I don't know, but neither do you, till you ask! If they say "no", then you decide if it's worth whatever the offer was. Sometimes, the "lagniappe", as they say in New Orleans, isn't money, but maybe first out, or paid deadhead, or whatever they can nudge you with. It never hurts to ask, if it's a low paying offer. What's the worst that could happen?

themagicoen · Nov 15, 2006

Before you talk pay know where you stand - trucks in front of you, behind you, where your at, where the load is going, deadhead etc. If your 4th team in Chicago and they offer you a reduced load going to Laredo you know for sure that the other 3 teams turned it down. If you tell them no they may offer you full rate or go down the list, if your at the end of the end they might start back up at top with the full rate. Dispatcher will give you a crap paying load out of a bad area because they know you want to keep moving so beware of that also.

chuckwagon · Nov 15, 2006

I have a rate and that is what I try to get at all times. I may take a reduced rate if I am in a bad traffic lane or I have been sitting for awhile.

There is alot of things to consider before turning a trip down - but there is alot of things to consider when taking one as well.

What is the rate, where is it going (good or bad traffic lane - which is something you will learn in time.) Like the previous post stated as well - you always want to know where you are on the call list for your area. If your third and the other two turned it down there could be a reason for that.

lanier1 · Nov 17, 2006

I was offered a load tonight that picks up in the morning and delivers Sunday night. It was'nt that bad a payer especially considering its a weekend run but I really wanted to go home for a couple of reasons. I knew there had to be at least 3 trucks in front of me because I just got here this afternoon so I asked if they would offer any more and they bumped $100 immediately. Oh well, I can't afford to turn it down so no birthday with girlfriend (she is PO'd too) and I miss seeing my son on Sunday who I only get a chance to see once a month (he's 17 and understands). Gotta love it...

Moot · Nov 18, 2006

If you are the only truck available and the company committed to the customer, then anything is negotiable. You should be able to reach a mutual agreement on rates and any extras. If you are way out of line the dispatcher will cut a deal with an outside carrier. You have to find the balance that is fair to both parties.

The more information you as an owner/operator have the more power you have available to make decisions on various loads. That's why most carriers prefer to keep you in the dark. Knowledge is power. Power is dangerous. Also electricty and water are dangerous. Packaged groceries and heating elements are dangerous. Alcohol in an airbrake system and an open flame are dangerous. A computer, an on-line site and an idiot are dangerous. Trust me I have experience. I will quit now while I'm ahead.

Be careful out there. It's a dangerous world.