Scummy Broker

[GHSLI]

In today's market, brokers will try anything to save a buck. I am sure this wasn't the first time they tried this on a carrier. I would assume not everyone will fight back. Some carriers will take the loss and move on in order to secure future freight. A lot of times the brokers will tell you that they will cover the loss in another load.

LTL and FTL should have clear boundaries whether sealed or not sealed. To my surprise, I have seen 42' (with appts) being moved as LTL. On top of that, you are expected to bring an empty trailer.

 

[loaders]

I think it is important to keep in mind, that the information a broker gives to a carrier is the same information the broker has received from his customer. While I would never defend deceptive or unethical business practices, it does happen that the broker is given incomplete or erroneous information. In spite of the number of questions the broker can ask regarding a particular shipment, at the end of the day he has to take his customers word for it. Obviously, once the truck arrives and the error is discovered, the broker should be able to go back to his customer and re-negotiate a new rate that reflects the changes in the size of the shipment. If they won’t, then the carrier should cross this broker off their list. Experienced brokers and carriers all realize that mistakes can and do happen. It is how effectively these mistakes are handled and rectified that separates the pros from the amateurs in our business.

 

[DaveW]

I'd say that if they requested certain things be followed through like piece counts, or pictures of seals then it has to be honoured regardless what is in the trailer. I'm assuming the seal number was put on the bills and the shipper has a copy of it, if that's the case the shipper is SOL in my opinion. It becomes up to the broker and his client to iron out the error.