Why is double brokering possible?

[Hengbin]

Hey all, I'm quite new to this. One big question I had on the issue of double brokering:

Can't the shipper just check : who was supposed to come VS who actually came?

E.g. If a broker hired ABC carrier, but then XYZ carrier came to pick it up. Shipper will realize the wrong person came, then simply decline them.

Issue solved?

It feels like I'm missing something, am wondering why it's possible for this to occur.

 

[loaders]

You are absolutely correct. A conscientious and observant dock worker/shipper could nip the problem in the bud…….if, and this is a BIG if, they felt like it, had the time to do it and really cared about the problem. Our firm always tells the shipper who is coming. However that info may not get to the right person on the loading dock. A driver shows up, asks for the right order number, says he is picking up for the right broker and he gets loaded. Most of our freight requires flatbeds/step decks which usually means loading outside where the cab and carrier name is usually clearly visible. However, even then we have fallen victim to a double broker situation. Shipper questions the driver why their name is different than what we had told them and the driver simply says…”oh I am the local city guy that does the pick ups”. This problem requires vigilant vetting of all suppliers on the part of the broker, and a cooperative and observant shipper.

 

[martinwizz]

lots of double brokers will also insist to request the pickup under their name. This itself should still be a big red flag for a carrier who receives an order from a "broker", which is also and most often perceived as a carrier.

 

[Nawk]

Many double brokers (like the buddy in Orangeville for example) will make the pick up with their truck and bring the freight back to their warehouse where they re sell the load to another unsuspecting carrier.

Lots of variables and scenarios here.

 

[Mr. MB]

lots of double brokers will also insist to request the pickup under their name. This itself should still be a big red flag for a carrier who receives an order from a "broker", which is also and most often perceived as a carrier.

That is a tricky one. We have to use one carrier's pars and they are a well established for 40 plus years. Sometime we have to use their name for pick up. Being that I am friends with the Director of Logistics, I know it is not a double broker load. If you don't know them personally, then check them out.

 

[loaders]

That is a tricky one. We have to use one carrier's pars and they are a well established for 40 plus years. Sometime we have to use their name for pick up. Being that I am friends with the Director of Logistics, I know it is not a double broker load. If you don't know them personally, then check them out.

From a brokers perspective, why would I use a “carrier” who has to use another carriers PARS? Why not use a carrier who has their own PARS? Navigating your way through the current minefield of bogus carriers, fly by night brokers and all shapes and sizes of other shady characters is difficult enough, why make it more challenging? Restrict your business dealings to bona fide, properly registered and authorized suppliers.

 

[Hengbin]

Shipper questions the driver why their name is different than what we had told them and the driver simply says…”oh I am the local city guy that does the pick ups”. This problem requires vigilant vetting of all suppliers on the part of the broker, and a cooperative and observant shipper.

Wow. That's so interesting. I would think that the shippers would vet them more considering that, giving the load to the wrong carrier would be pretty damaging.

If the Carrier's company name (seen on the truck) is entirely different than what was expected, without any communication at all. Is that not big enough of a red flag? Wondering how, the carrier saying they were the local city guy got through.

 

[Hengbin]

You are absolutely correct. A conscientious and observant dock worker/shipper could nip the problem in the bud…….if, and this is a BIG if, they felt like it, had the time to do it and really cared about the problem. Our firm always tells the shipper who is coming. However that info may not get to the right person on the loading dock. A driver shows up, asks for the right order number, says he is picking up for the right broker and he gets loaded. Most of our freight requires flatbeds/step decks which usually means loading outside where the cab and carrier name is usually clearly visible. However, even then we have fallen victim to a double broker situation. Shipper questions the driver why their name is different than what we had told them and the driver simply says…”oh I am the local city guy that does the pick ups”. This problem requires vigilant vetting of all suppliers on the part of the broker, and a cooperative and observant shipper.

lots of double brokers will also insist to request the pickup under their name. This itself should still be a big red flag for a carrier who receives an order from a "broker", which is also and most often perceived as a carrier.

Many double brokers (like the buddy in Orangeville for example) will make the pick up with their truck and bring the freight back to their warehouse where they re sell the load to another unsuspecting carrier.

Lots of variables and scenarios here.

That is a tricky one. We have to use one carrier's pars and they are a well established for 40 plus years. Sometime we have to use their name for pick up. Being that I am friends with the Director of Logistics, I know it is not a double broker load. If you don't know them personally, then check them out.

Woah, the double broker picking up the freight themselves to their warehouse seems quite tricky.

Not sure who's a broker here, but is this currently still a problem to anyone? There seems to be many carrier vetting software out there like Carrier411 / RMIS , does that do the job properly?

 

[mtltrans]

That's when they trot out the "sister company" excuse.

 

[loaders]

Hengbin, no offence, but all of these scenarios described above are tried and true, everyday, common occurrences in our industry today. The sooner you become aware of them and take appropriate defensive measures, the better off you will be. Yes, diligent vetting on the part of the broker is paramount, however the bad guys are smart and do their best to stay one step ahead of you. Relying on the shipper to do more than pay casual attention is a dereliction of your duties, you have to take the lead in ensuring it is the correct carrier showing up. Have a checklist of “red flags” that you can use to help protect yourself. There is nothing a crook won’t do to try and trick you, doctored insurance certificates, fraudulent registrations, stolen identities, the list is endless. Constant vigilance and extreme caution are, unfortunately, the rules of the game today. Find yourself some good, professional carriers, treat them fairly and pay them within their terms. Forging these types of relationships will make your job so much easier and productive. Using a new, untried supplier requires the utmost care and attention and actually should be avoided if at all possible.

 

[Nga logist]

We work with lot of us brokers before even book load they always ask driver name phone number and after send tracking link on driver phone number! Another way to tackle this

 

[Rob]

We work with lot of us brokers before even book load they always ask driver name phone number and after send tracking link on driver phone number! Another way to tackle this

No drivers phone numbers being given out here. I will send s a tacking link but we did not spend money on the system to have brokers tell us how it is going to be tracked. Take your P44 and Macropoint and shove it we will not download. If a Samsara link is not good enough no harm no foul we will find another load. So far only ever had to find one load because of it.

 

[Nga logist]

No offence but if I have no intention to double broker than no harm even to share phone number!!!

 

[Rob]

No offence but if I have no intention to double broker than no harm even to share phone number!!!

offered up a tracking link if not good enough I should probably not be hauling that special of freight that requires a million calls. Went through all that shit hence the Samsara. . Say the broker calls driver as he is driving and gets in a wreck on call to broker. Want to bet said broker runs from the lawsuit and tries to hang all on trucker?? There is no need for a broker to talk to my drivers,

 

[dad2andrew]

I NEVER gave out a drivers phone number. Call me and i'll find out the information and then relay it to you. I'm not going to have a broker (was one at one time) constantly calling my drivers.

 

[Fr8Guru]

I NEVER gave out a drivers phone number. Call me and i'll find out the information and then relay it to you. I'm not going to have a broker (was one at one time) constantly calling my drivers.

We won't give out our asset drivers number either.

but I find it comical that US Domestic, dispatchers want you to call the drivers.

Such a drastic difference in thought process between Canada and US

 

[Nga logist]

Ok so they don’t call or text drivers just use it for tracking through trucker tools app! And again I don’t see a problem with that coz it’s our own truck its good way too direct connect broker to company not doubled tripled brokered, we got scam by geo wave logistics for $4900 it was nauge logistics load wht if they do this at first no way it will be double brokered to us, now we are struggling to get our money back its been 3 months now!

 

[Mario]

offered up a tracking link if not good enough I should probably not be hauling that special of freight that requires a million calls. Went through all that shit hence the Samsara. . Say the broker calls driver as he is driving and gets in a wreck on call to broker. Want to bet said broker runs from the lawsuit and tries to hang all on trucker?? There is no need for a broker to talk to my drivers,

When they ask for Drivers cell numbers for updates, I request the cell numbers of their Accounts Payable and President and home numbers and the dispatchers Home and cell numbers. I would love an update of when we will be paid.

 

[loaders]

In those cases where regular, scheduled updates are required, we ask the driver to call the receiver, instead of the other way around. This way the driver can call when it is safe and convenient and the receiver is getting actual, first hand information, not second or third. This is especially important when the delivery/pick up is at an unmanned location or taking place after hours. PS. I do have to add that this system is far from foolproof. First, the instructions to the driver have to be correctly passed along by his dispatcher. Secondly, the driver has to remember or record the number and remember to make the calls. It is hard to eliminate “human error”!

 

[theman]

The double brokers will generally target those who are lazy about vetting their carriers or desperate to move freight.

It's best for a broker not to rely too much on load boards to move freight, the right way to do it is to vet the carriers and develop relationships with them. Larger brokers do a better job of this (OK, not TQL maybe) - they'll have capacity managers or carrier managers whose job it is to specifically develop carrier relationships. It's different than a dispatcher handling inbound calls mainly to cover freight.