CG Group of Companies

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I do not know CG Group of Companies, nor have I had any experience, good or bad with them. However, it does not surprise me that most people in this industry have very long memories when they've been burned or deceived by a person or company. A good reputation as a carrier or a broker takes years to build, but can be destroyed in a moment when you fail to operate in an ethical, professional manner. This comment is not directed at any one person or company, but is merely an observation of what I have learned after 25+ years in transportation. Doing the "right" thing sure helps one sleep at night.
 
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CG Group. There are usually reasons that people (companies) are reluctant to do business with unknowns. Especially when there seems to be a "known" involved that has already 'TAKEN' people for hard earned cash. It's easy to say 'we pay our bills'. Many companies that left people hanging out to dry by not paying their bills, did pay and very well, at first. So please pardon our skepticism. We are, after all, the ones who get left to pay the fuel and driver's pay no matter whether or not we get paid. Because the drivers and the fuel are usually paid within the first 2 weeks... this letting plenty of time for the unscrupulous to get the heck out of Dodge and leave us hanging in the wind. Also, as the saying goes 'Me thinks they do protest to much... '
 
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Update ... didn't want you all to think I forgot you :)

Well, it's been a couple weeks (June 16th) since we connected with CG Group. Unfortunately we haven't been able to do a load with them. It seems all the freight they had in areas that my trucks are has disappeared. I haven't seen any notices of freight in southern Pennsylvania back to Toronto since we signed up with them. Hopefully it's a seasonal downturn and something will come up eventually.

Something about their freight available notices though is bothering me. Everything is "provide rate". To me that says one of two things ... one, they are trying to skim as much off the top as they can, or two, they don't really have they freight they are trying to sell. I could be wrong, which I hope I am because I really don't like to sell someone short before I have actual proof otherwise, but it does tend to fit that pattern.
 
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Michael,

I like the update. When we ask carriers to provide a rate, we do have the actual load on hand with PO and ready to send. When we request a Quote - that means we are bidding on a lane. - I have been out of the office for the past 2 weeks for a family emergency, but I am back now.
 
@CG Group ... sorry to hear about the family emergency. Hope all is well now.

I can't speak for other carriers, but here's what really bothers me about every load offer asking for a rate ... It looks as though you are trying to skim as much as possible off the carrier. Whether that is true or not is neither here nor there, but the fact is that just asking gives that impression. So, for me, I just don't bother with those requests. They always leave me with the feeling that, rightly or wrongly, I've been taken.
If you want me to do work for you, then give me the rate you are willing to pay. I will either be able to do it for that, or I won't. No harm, no foul. We'll try again on the next one.
 
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Asking for a rate and a name and number tells me they just want the cheapest possible carrier. Plain and simple.

I love when the first question out of a brokers mouth is what is your rate. My usual answer is a strange buzzing noise in their ear.

Carriers calling me and their first question is what you pay get told the load is gone.
 
Rob said:
Asking for a rate and a name and number tells me they just want the cheapest possible carrier. Plain and simple.

I love when the first question out of a brokers mouth is what is your rate. My usual answer is a strange buzzing noise in their ear.

Carriers calling me and their first question is what you pay get told the load is gone.
Click to expand...

See my post in a New Thread.
 
I think (hope?) it's all in the presentation...

Due to the nature of our customer-base I almost always have to ask for a rate from the carrier...but NOT because I'm trying to screw them out of money. My customer has asked me for a quote & I need to find out my cost. I guess if our lanes were a little more regular I might feel differently...

If I'm soliciting rates from carriers I rarely (if ever) have an agreed upon rate with my customer...but I try to tell carriers: "don't gouge yourself, give me the number you'd like to get & if I need it to come down a little I'll call back"

as for just wanting "the cheapest possible carrier"...if 1 or 2 guys quote me significantly lower than the average I usually throw'em out (unless I have history with them)...guys who are willing to move freight too cheap scare me.
 
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Well, here we are on July 16th, and in my mind, my fears have not been unfounded ... finally yesterday a load came up that we could connect on. The email conversation went basically like this;
CG: Etobicoke, ON to Genessee, PA, rate and availability if interested (note: no shipping date given)
Me: I can do it for $900.00 When does it ship?
CG: Too much.
Me: What can you pay?
CG: I've had a few at $600.00

I leave it to you good folks to draw your own conclusions.
 
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Mike, you gave a price of $900 for 189 miles door to door.... You can believe what you want as often mentioned.
 
You're missing the points, and this is the last I'll discuss it here ... (edit ... apparently not if you keep reading)

The "I've had a few at $600.00" line is what did me in. That's not a give and take relationship. That's a broker getting as much off the top as they possibly can. You see, I firmly believe that carriers and brokers cannot live without each other and as such, neither can grow without the other. It's my preference to work with brokers that will work with me. As sure as I am sitting here if someone offered to do it for $200.00 you'd scoop that carrier in a heartbeat, and never look back. It's your right to do business as you see fit, after all, it's your business. I am neither condemning, nor condoning it. It's my choice not to be part of it.

Moderator ... you can close this thread at your discretion.
 
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Hold that thought for one minute moderator ... I just reread something that needs to be responded to.

"... you gave a price of $900 for 189 miles door to door...."
Do you really know what you are buying when you buy my service?
Do you actually know what it costs to run a truck, or are you just guessing based on "everyone else's" rates?
Have you ever seen one of my trucks? Does it say "Everyone Else's Truck" on the door? I can assure you it does not.

Now Mr. Moderator, you may close this thread at your discretion.
 
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This thread is veering off course here...and quickly.

Hauling_ass - please ensure the questions you are about to pose here are relevant to the thread. And at that point I (Miss Moderator) will review accordingly.

Thank you
 
Okay, okay, okay...so CG got a few rates at $600 and Michael quoted $900. $300 isn't a huge difference if you look at all the factors.

What was the freight? Weight? Did it go on a flatbed or in a van? Did it need tarps? Hazmat?

Yes, it was only 189 miles but has anyone here ever been involved in moving freight and only looked at the mileage?

For instance, $900 is not unreasonable if it was heavy, on a flatbed, needed tarps and had a couple of buckets of hazmat squeezed in there. (And I'm sure there are many other scenarios that fit.)

Michael,
Would you mind elaborating on some of the details?

(We have also heard from CG and have just about given up on them because their emails do not give enough information.)

Thanks!
 
And many brokers don't even consider the factors like operational costs as they relate to carriers paying expenses such as fuel and tolls in USD and facing the current 30% exchange - the CDN dollar is now what . 77 cents vs the USD?
 
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I'm a broker and at 189 miles, they way I see it is you'll probably be paying for a trailer load round trip because I'm guessing you more than likely won't find freight from Genesee, PA or the surrounding area. So in the interests of the driver/company still making money for the day and not calling it quits after his delivery you charge for 378 miles. 6 hours of work warrants basically a full days charge. In my case I would hope to pay $7-800 for a days work on average. I don't feel that asking/looking for less than $600 would be fair to a company or driver and customers should understand that.
 
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@hauling_ass ... 53 foot dry van. Now you have all the information I had then, and now.

Folks, don't read more into this than what I am actually saying. I'm not going to sit here and say CG is good, bad, or indifferent. I'm just saying that based on evidence presented to me to date, their business style is not one with which I wish to engage at this time. Things could change next month and we begin to do business together, or they could stay the same and we don't do business together.

Miss Moderator ... You have my sincerest apologies :)
 
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CG Group is welcome to run their business as they see fit. As is any business. Period.

Now for my rant:
There's really 3 groups of companies in the industry, isn't there...

Grouping #1 - I'm not saying this is what they are doing, I've not dealt with them but there are SOME brokers that are all about squeezing every cent (cheapest, may or may not have insurance, etc... carriers) out of a transaction in order to maximize profit. Just like there are SOME carriers that will book several loads on their 1 truck, then when it comes time to pickup they call 3 out of 4 customers (the cheapest rates) and cancel. There's no real sense in complaining about either of these 2 parties, the amount of time and effort they need to focus on each individual order is the same time and effort that the rest of us move 5-10 orders. These companies will not grow, will not build long lasting relationships, and will not satisfy customers in the long term. But they will survive, sneak by, as they allocate so many resources on so little business, but hey, it's profitable.

Grouping #2 - It doesn't sound like CG falls into this group. There are brokers and carriers that are all specialty equipment, major detailed loads, etc... They have a nice niche and both can demand what rate they would like, everyone here is happy.

Grouping #3 - Perhaps CG falls into this category? There are the majority of us (brokers), I HOPE, that pay 'a fair and going rate' for a lane and the vast majority of carriers that understand the marketplace. For example, as produce season is ending, the TL inbound rate from TX is in decline. There are a bunch of carriers there without $5000 veggie loads. The same carrier we paid $3750 for dry goods out of TX a month ago calls in today and advises they can do the identical load for $3000 tomorrow. The industry is about give and take when the market changes, knowing when it's changing and working with good suppliers that want to work with your dispatch team (and company). It's about good strong relationships and working together during the ups and downs. Simple really. Some just don't get it...

My 2 cents, sometimes worth 3 cents.
Mike
 
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