Charges for unloading...

[SlotCar1]

...are mostly bogus.

I am sitting at a Super Value warehouse where they want U$60 to unload their own freight, shrink wrapped and on chep pallets.

...just the way they ordered it.

I'm not a lumper, nor do I pay somebody to lump. I don't have $60 on me and I would not give it to them if I did. I will NOT wake up anybody at 2am to send me a comcheck either, aside from the fact they don't use comdata anyway.

So, what has been your experience with grocery warehouses?

 

[lowmiler88]

This has been going on in the States for years and it is catching on in Canada.........pay it, bill it back and move on to your pick up. When I drove I would fight it also because it is criminal but would wind up losing in the long run when they would take 2 or 3 times longer to unload me.

 

[motorfr8]

This has been going on in the States for years and it is catching on in Canada.........pay it, bill it back and move on to your pick up. When I drove I would fight it also because it is criminal but would wind up losing in the long run when they would take 2 or 3 times longer to unload me.

Any time in the past where I've run into problems with a receiver wanting to charge me for unloading their freight is I'll tell them there is an entrance fee into my trailer which usually offsets their lumper fees...take it or refuse the load. They usually moan and groan but in the end they'll have to give in.

 

[Nawk]

It's ridiculous - Agreed.

It's been going on in US warehouses since I've been in this business (25 years now) and by the looks of things isn't about to go away anytime soon.

Best to pay it... bill it back to the shipper (this wont be the first time they've seen an additional bill for this) and rate your next load accordingly or walk away from it.

 

[mrspeed19692006]

Here's a link regarding this matter from the FMCSA, all of our drivers carry a copy of this in there tractors and it is enforcable.

FMCSA - Loading and Unloading Shipments Transported in Interstate Commerce (Lumping)

Here's the last paragraph:


GENERAL INFORMATION ON LOADING AND UNLOADING SHIPMENTS TRANSPORTED IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE
The general rule is that motor common and contract carriers provide loading and unloading as part of their service without separately stating the charges. These are considered part of the composite line-haul rate. The carrier, in conjunction with the shipper or receiver, determines the loading and unloading services to be performed and whether the driver is responsible.

A driver engaged in interstate commerce, whether an employee of the carrier or an owner operator leased to the carrier, is subject to the carrier’s directions regarding the operation of its vehicles and the services to be provided to customers, including loading and unloading.

Illegal lumping describes loading and unloading required by operators at warehouses, terminals, ports and other facilities when drivers are coerced into paying for loading and unloading. If a shipper or receiver requires a driver to use lumpers, the shipper or receiver must provide the lumpers or pay for their services.

 

[MyTrucksMyRates]

In my experience with paying for lumpers, I have found if you just pay it and smile, get a receipt, charge back your customer it alleviates alot of the aggravation caused by an upset lumper. An upset lumper can take hours to offload 2-3 skids, let alone a FTL.

My beef is that every one of the customers I have charged back for it (receipts attached) have refused my 15% markup and they don't pay it. Why should I, or my drivers, have to fork over C.O.D. and then wait 60 days for them to pay it back without any kind of markup?

 

[Roca]

My beef is that every one of the customers I have charged back for it (receipts attached) have refused my 15% markup and they don't pay it. Why should I, or my drivers, have to fork over C.O.D. and then wait 60 days for them to pay it back without any kind of markup?

kind of ironic when your username is "MyTrucksMyRates" and your clients don't pay... hahaha lol

 

[Activet]

Lumpers fees & missed appointments

As a broker primarily involved in flat bed & O/D shipments I have little current experience with having to pay lumpers and consignees who won't honor appointment times. However, I have had some issues in the past as a driver. When I informed dispatch regarding paying for lumpers, I was told "wait for further instructions - the load is now COD!". Well the broker/customer that the owner got the load from had a fit and made all kinds of threats, but my boss took the attitude that the freight that's on any of his trucks was subject to a lien, and if necessary, could be eventually auctioned off to pay the outstanding freight bill. When a broker's attitude caused him to think that the waiting time and/or any other ancillary charges (including mark-up), were going to be short paid, he'd over-estimate the amount of waiting time that might be charged, and return the excess if any to the broker. Needless to say, the broker had little or no alternative but to pay, but my boss's viewpoint was that he slept better if the broker/customer had to trust him, rather than him having to trust the broker.
I've never had an issue with charging a customer for any extra charges that a carrier has legitimately incurred, and have lost one or two for that reason. Good riddance to any customer who doesn't believe that business should be a two way street. I can always get more customers, but not good reliable carriers. I will not allow a customer to screw a carrier - period! It'd be like being a party to a theft.

In short - I believe that you'll always be a victim and under duress if your under capitalized and not be prepared to walk/run away from any customer or transaction that is not going to be mutually beneficial. If your business is jeopardized as a result - be prepared to close up shop and try something else, as it will unlikely ever be viable.

 

[Michael Ludwig]

Anti Lumping Form Title 49, U.S. Code: 14103

View attachment Anti-Lumping.zip

Here's a link regarding this matter from the FMCSA, all of our drivers carry a copy of this in there tractors and it is enforcable.

FMCSA - Loading and Unloading Shipments Transported in Interstate Commerce (Lumping)

Here's the last paragraph:


GENERAL INFORMATION ON LOADING AND UNLOADING SHIPMENTS TRANSPORTED IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE
The general rule is that motor common and contract carriers provide loading and unloading as part of their service without separately stating the charges. These are considered part of the composite line-haul rate. The carrier, in conjunction with the shipper or receiver, determines the loading and unloading services to be performed and whether the driver is responsible.

A driver engaged in interstate commerce, whether an employee of the carrier or an owner operator leased to the carrier, is subject to the carrier’s directions regarding the operation of its vehicles and the services to be provided to customers, including loading and unloading.

Illegal lumping describes loading and unloading required by operators at warehouses, terminals, ports and other facilities when drivers are coerced into paying for loading and unloading. If a shipper or receiver requires a driver to use lumpers, the shipper or receiver must provide the lumpers or pay for their services.

And ... if I did this right ... attached is report form you can use if you are so inclined.

Personally though, we follow the rule of pay it and charge it back.