Carrier References

[loaders]

Like most freight brokers, whenever we are thinking of giving freight to a new carrier (one we haven't used before), we ask for references. In most cases, these references are other freight brokers that the carrier has done work for. This allows us the opportunity to call the brokers and inquire as to the service the carrier provided. This should be a fairly simple procedure and in most cases it is. However, if the carrier gives TrafficTech as a reference, they refuse to provide any comment, almost as if we are asking for a reference on one of their customers. This is by no means an "earth shattering" situation, but I really can't understand why they are so reluctant. Anytime we are asked to provide a reference about a carrier, we do it. This process is for all of our benefit in reducing our collective exposure to the small number of bad carriers out there. Has any other broker run into this problem?

 

[Canadian Bacon]

Gee I would not want to admit to taking one Traffic Tech's double brokered loads

 

[Activet]

We do check carrier references, however we don't contact Traffic Tech because of the way their business seems to be set up. My understanding is that each sales person functions like an independent broker, with their own dispatchers under the eagis of management. So, the carrier your contemplating using must provide the name of the particular sales person or dispatcher they dealt with.

 

[allfreight]

We also check references and have experienced the same refusal from Traffic Tech. Checking references is one of the few tools we have to protect ourselves in bringing on new carriers. I find this lack of co-operation terrible. I used to run into this with CH Robinson but am finding them much better these days. Working together makes sense, there is a lot of fraud and double brokering out there and we need all the help we can get to make smart decisions.

 

[godfather]

Traffic Tech

No matter what any one says, they're in business for a reason. I can't stomach them but there have been times when I was on the carrier side of things when I had to swallow my pride and take one for the team. Regardless, I can say that the reason Traffic Tech and C.H. Robinson don't give references is because they have too many hands in the pot, and nobody knows their ear from their elbow when it comes to service references. I was 20 minutes late on delivery for one load and was told that the company I worked for at that time was always late and that I would not see a stick of freight from them again. 10 minutes later I was called by another"dispatcher" from Traffic Tech and was begged to take another load. When I told them to okay it with the other "dispatcher" I was told not to take anything that they said for anything as that "dispatcher" was a (you can figure it out). If this is how their operations team works together how can they even attempt to give a real reference about a carrier. Isn't it about time that all the carriers out there got together and started saying NO to these leaches in the industry?