Receiver Damages Trailer Roof

[Michael Ludwig]

What could the broker do?

Nothing ... absolutely nothing at all <sic>.
Funny though, if a carrier damages the receivers freight the load broker is all over it like stink on sh!t. "Pay me this" and "Pay me that", and "I'm deducting the claim from your pay whether you are guilty of not" ... you know, that kind of sh!t.
Just sayin' is all.

@loaders has the right idea ... at least make an honest attempt to get reasonable minds to have a conversation. If it works out, it it works out. If not, at least he gave it an honest effort.

 

[Shakey]

I have been on both sides and again this is not "carrier" or " broker" issues on these. I've had to pay to fix trailer as broker and as well as a carrier that wasn't "our" fault but the relationships we had with the parties made for a business decision to pay.

It comes down to relationships and working with people you know and trust. Does the carrier care about you as client? Does broker care about you as a supplier?

He said/she said situations always leave someone pissed, but if you don't have proof whose fault is that........................

 

[Michael Ludwig]

It comes down to relationships and working with people you know and trust. Does the carrier care about you as client? Does broker care about you as a supplier?

1,000% correct

 

[Igor Galanter]

About a six month ago a new forklift driver punctured my trailer roof while loading in the very front of the trailer and didn't say anything. I noticed a hole when loading was finished and approach him. Him and his colleagues as well as supervisor and manager didn't denied.. Offered me to send them them the bill for repair. Luckily, it was my last load for a day to deliver and it wasn't raining. My mobile mechanic fixed that and bill was send to the shippers office.. still didn't get the money, but every time I'm there I see some kind of a guilt in their eyes and loading time is very sufficient. So, may be I gained something already, eh..

 

[Jim L]

It comes down to relationships and working with people you know and trust. Does the carrier care about you as client? Does broker care about you as a supplier?

And that is what defines everything - the relationship.

If there is a situation like this I would expect that the broker would step in and assist both sides come up with a resolution. Most brokers scream and cry when you call their shipper or receiver for any reason and now for a broker to just walk away seems odd. One would think that the broker would not want the carrier conversing with them so that there is no erosion of the business relationship. No doubt that nobody wins here - the carrier will not get what he thinks is owed, mostly because his down time to get it fixed is worth so much, and the consignee will never agree that the cost should be what it is to fix a simple little hole (just put some duct tape on it and be gone).

I've been in this situation too many times in the past and have just come to accept it as a part of the business we are in. I ask for something and if I get it then that just solidifies the relationship. If I don't get any 'love' then it gets marked in the back of my head for next time when dealing with that customer/broker.

 

[loaders]

Just like everyone else on this site who has been in this industry for month than 2 months, we have all been on both sides of this situation. Believe me, nothing makes me angrier than receiving a phone call from a shipper yelling and screaming hysterically about what I am going to do because a carrier I sent in just clipped an employees car while exiting the parking lot. Telling them to take pictures, get statements, record license and insurance information, seems to fall on deaf ears. I, as the broker who arranged the transaction am responsible, just as if I was driving the truck, according to them. As I said before, all we can do is try and facilitate a reasonable conversation between the concerned parties and keep tempers and emotions at bay as best we can. I am sure I have said to both parties on many occasions...."this is why you have insurance".

 

[Freight Broker]

As a broker that's what I do.. I try to mediate an outcome that is agreeable to all involved parties. I've had instances where a carrier's equipment was damaged by the loader... in some cases my customer insists on going through me.. in other cases I'm told to stay out of it as they want to deal with the carrier directly... and that's fine too. I've been asked to pay for damages.. the carrier reasoned that it's "my customer" and they see no distinction between me and them... i.e. "my deal is with you". In that case I went after the shipper for damages on my carrier's behalf.. carrier gave me a quote and I took that to the shipper.. shipper agreed to pay me, and I in turn paid the carrier. almost every deal is different.. no play book on how it should work. But the salient point here is that at least some brokers are more than silent bystanders..

 

[tasuinam]

I have been on both sides and again this is not "carrier" or " broker" issues on these. I've had to pay to fix trailer as broker and as well as a carrier that wasn't "our" fault but the relationships we had with the parties made for a business decision to pay.

It comes down to relationships and working with people you know and trust. Does the carrier care about you as client? Does broker care about you as a supplier?

He said/she said situations always leave someone pissed, but if you don't have proof whose fault is that........................

That is absolutely correct - it is about relationships

 

[what1ship]

These things happen and they have to be treated like any other accident. Pictures, names and statements from all involved. If it was an accident on the street where someone drove into your vehicle you wouldn't just take buddy's word for it that he was responsible and send him the bill.