Cheap Freight of the day

The problem with carriers accepting cheap paying loads is, it perpetuates the whole process. One guys takes the low rate, and now every other guy will be expected to do the same. If enough carriers say simply say “NO” and run their trucks home empty if necessary, the cheap rate has only one place to go….up. Whether the shipper is a tightwad and demands the lowest rate or the broker is trying skim off a huge profit, if the load doesn’t get moving, the rate will increase.
 
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loaders said:
The problem with carriers accepting cheap paying loads is, it perpetuates the whole process. One guys takes the low rate, and now every other guy will be expected to do the same. If enough carriers say simply say “NO” and run their trucks home empty if necessary, the cheap rate has only one place to go….up. Whether the shipper is a tightwad and demands the lowest rate or the broker is trying skim off a huge profit, if the load doesn’t get moving, the rate will increase.
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Sure, avg 6 trucks per load currently US->Canada. And maybe 1 out of every 20 of those loads has a "good" broker behind it.
Everyone going to say no right? Just trying to tread water to keep drivers working.
 
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Reminds me of what a potential shipper told me many years ago. I think they were somewhere in Georgia. He told me to feel free to quote.. "but my current provider moves these for "the price of smokes and coffee".. that's what he said. I put together something that I thought was reasonable.. hey maybe he pays alot for his smokes and coffee... but I never heard back from him. Highlighted the importance of not just finding customers... but finding GOOD customers.
 
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I find that avoiding folks who use the bidding platforms helps somewhat. If there's a bidding platform involved its all about price.. although they'd never say that.
 
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JACKBURTON said:
Somebody knows, they just don't care. It's all fine to say "don't take the freight" but sometimes you're over a barrel. You can keep your driver waiting for 3 days, pay 3 layovers and take a load for a "good" rate but then you lose it on paying layovers and also on lost revenue for the next outbound load you can't do cause your driver is sitting waiting.
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I have on several occasions this year taken a decent paying ltl of 4, 5 skids from a decent broker and run home with that rather than take the stupid rates on some of these ftl. Of course you can't do that all the time, but I would happily run home with a few skids for a good customer than give my trailer to a joker offering a ridiculous rate. You are right though, sometimes you are over a barrel.
 
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chica123 said:
I have on several occasions this year taken a decent paying ltl of 4, 5 skids from a decent broker and run home with that rather than take the stupid rates on some of these ftl. Of course you can't do that all the time, but I would happily run home with a few skids for a good customer than give my trailer to a joker offering a ridiculous rate. You are right though, sometimes you are over a barrel.
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We've legit found 4 skid LTL paying maybe $200 less than similar FTL. It's bizarre.
 
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tasuinam said:
Fresh off the email press:

2 pickups 1 stop.

QUEEN CITY, TX

TEXARKANA, AR

COBOURG, ON

42k of rolled paper

Requires 2014 or newer trailer

$1700
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I'm assuming that's at least USD but things are so stupid right now I can't even tell.
 
Curious how everyone (broker & carrier) is currently doing right now? Freight volumes are going lower and lower and the prices are following as well. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up for our neighbors, I know there's the usual blip in the freight market, which is typically followed up by an influx of seasonal freight...However, this year feels different, like bad different. I don't see this market getting better in the near future and feels like we are going into a recession for 2024.
 
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Everything I read and have heard from the major players indicate that things aren't to pick up until the end of Q1 - beginning of Q2 of 2024.

Hopefully, carriers and brokers that had record sales last year and into earlier this year squirreled away some of that cash to help themselves get trough this.
 
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Most of us have a subgroup of accounts/carriers/brokers that continue to be good to work with despite this downturn. Time to focus on those... service the heck out of them.. pay them faster than required... be a better partner to them. Our true partners will get us through this.
 
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Melroy75 said:
Curious how everyone (broker & carrier) is currently doing right now? Freight volumes are going lower and lower and the prices are following as well. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up for our neighbors, I know there's the usual blip in the freight market, which is typically followed up by an influx of seasonal freight...However, this year feels different, like bad different. I don't see this market getting better in the near future and feels like we are going into a recession for 2024.
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We have basically been in a recession since early 2023. Only thing stopping it from being official is the unemployment rate... which has been and will continue to drop going into 2024... And then we shall welcome the recession :/
 
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