Check Calls: Phone or Email?

[TransAction]

There's been a few postings in the past regarding check calls and I am curious as to whether carriers prefer check calls via email or by phone?

 

[loaders]

I'm not sure what the carrier response to this question will be, but as a broker, I prefer telephone check calls. Having said that, our dispatch office has begun e-mailing carriers in the morning, requesting status reports on scheduled pick-ups and deliveries for the day. If we haven't received a response by mid to late morning, we follow up with a telephone call. For the most part, carriers are taking the time to respond via e-mail. Unless it is an emergency, or a dramatic change in the original instructions, we do try avoid pestering carriers, especially in the morning hours.

 

[theman]

It depends on the relationship with the carrier. If it's a continuous relationship, then a daily report by email (maybe twice a day) is good, and consistent with how we may have to report load events on TMS systems and EDI when communicating with a customer directly.

If it's a spotty relationship, the broker should be picking up the phone. Email is passive communication so if there is no real relationship behind it chances are the replies will be aloof. If you ask a carrier, I'm sure they will also say 'just email me'.

 

[loaders]

There is also something more personal about a phone call. Sometimes you can pick up on a tone of voice or some other indication that the story you're being told isn't quite Kosher. Of course any good bullsh** artist worth his salt isn't going to be concerned if you e-mail him, call him, or even drop by his office for information!

 

[Rob]

I prefer the check calls at 7 am in the morning on my cel as I am driving in asking if my truck is on schedule for a 4pm Thursday delivery appointment on a load that is loading in Ohio on Wednesday and it is Monday morning.

I am hungover and in a bitch of a mood because the 3 calls before that one where I'm sick I can't work today. My truck is broke, I can't work today and my mother died again I can't work today.

Just saying.

That being said I don't care either way call or email works!!!

 

[thebluffs1]

as a carrier, we prefer emails, as we find that tracing calls are often made by people who are disconnected from the move and are simply tracing, can't assist with pickup numbers etc, and don't make any notes in the system, so there's absolutely no supporting documentation for proof of detention etc.

 

[Freight Broker]

Whatever the carrier wants. Some prefer phone while others prefer email. The bigger issue is the frequency of the check calls.. Most carriers I find don't want more than one call other than to confirm delivery. Nobody wants a check call every two hours.

 

[ZoCNX]

100 % agree with THEBLUFFS1. easy to track for both sites, specially when there is an issue with load . . . so even though Canada legally accepting verbal and written agreement, I prefer everything on paper (in writing). . . from load confirmation to trailer is empty ... all in one email with all needed people attached to it.

 

[Freight Broker]

There's really no one right answer. I have carriers who get offended with one check call... but they're really good carriers so I don't check call them at all. Others I don't check call because I can track shipments on line. and yet others I email or call based on their preference. One also has to be considerate when making check calls. If I know a driver has been pulling an all nighter to get my load delivered I'm not going to call him at 11:00 am with a check call... he/she is likely sleeping at that point. Instead I will call the receiver to ask how the service was.. a kinda sidways way of making sure the load got there and was confirmed delivered.