It's a Team's Life

It’s not worth the hassle

By Linda Caffee
Posted Jan 15th 2019 8:08AM

While booking a load I got into a conversation with the broker and he mentioned that even though a truck is sitting on top of the load he will call another driver first to see if they would like the load.  The reason given is he knows the person he is calling is easy to work with, will pick up and deliver the load on time, communicate any problems (not cause problems), will handle any problems on their own that can be handled, and will be easy to work with.  The pay is not the issue it did not change for the person sitting where the load is picking up to the load offered to the other driver.  The only difference is in how each driver handles the initial call.

Dealing with brokers is the same scenario from a driver’s point of view.  Some brokers forget to mention important details or after the load is picked up suddenly have more demands.  When the load is a sensitive load leaving out details or not bothering to find out the details when telling a driver about the load can cause a lot of stress before the load is delivered. The lack of finding out the details can end a relationship or drastically change the relationship.  How does the saying go?  Never trust a person that has let you down more than two times. Once was a warning, twice was a lesson, and anything more is simply taking advantage.

Either paragraph can fit a driver or a broker and, in this business, burning bridges is the last thing we want to do if we are to stay profitable.  I am sure just as I have brokers that are on the list of only use if our last choice, brokers also have the same list.  The worst list possible is the DO NOT EVER USE LIST.   Act like a professional from the initial contact with the broker till the load is over and the final contact with the broker.

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Bob & Linda Caffee

TeamCaffee

Saint Louis MO

Expediters since January 2005

[email protected]

 

Expediting isn't just trucking, it's a lifestyle;

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