At the 2 hr mark after they started loading I would be calling whomever arranged the load with us and advise them that their 2 hrs of free time are about to expire and that waiting time will begin now. That allows them to call the shipper and verify the time. Once loaded and we know the amount of waiting time we would be asking for a revised confirmation showing the proper amount. The key is making sure that the driver has the shipper clearly sign for the time started and time completed. If the shipper refuses, then make a note of it. Like anything proper documentation will fix a lot of issues down the road.
Waiting time
- Thread starter hauling_ass
- Start date
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It's all in the communication. The carrier can't expect to be paid if they haven't notified the broker before the demurrage starts.
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Just received our invoice back from our customer claiming they do not pay for waiting time since they did not hold the truck up (truck was there for 5 hours and we billed for 3). They booked the order and had us send in a truck in however they claim it's not their responsibility (freight was not ready) and the shipper says since they're not responsible for the freight bill they will also not pay for the waiting time. How do you get paid in a situation like this?
If your waiting time policy was stated on your quote, then your customer is responsible. Unfortunatly, like many things if it is just assumed that everyone knows the accessorial charges then you have a problem
i would just consider it a lesson learned and not deal with them again.
i would just consider it a lesson learned and not deal with them again.
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We have an email trail - we notified the carrier's logistics department and told them the truck was there and was being loaded early. They were so happy! Then, we notified them of the problems. No worries - they say. Document it - they say. So we did - the shipper signed the B/L showing the waiting time - even signed where the driver stated the waiting time. When I emailed a copy of the B/L to the logistics department (because they wouldn't issue a new confirmation without it), they emailed back saying 'too bad, so sad'.
Woulda, coulda, shoulda - Next time we will hold the load until we get a new confirmation. But damn, we hate doing business that way!!! Remember the days when a handshake was good 'nuff???
Woulda, coulda, shoulda - Next time we will hold the load until we get a new confirmation. But damn, we hate doing business that way!!! Remember the days when a handshake was good 'nuff???
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Handshake and verbal agreement are good 'nuff for people that you trust to build relationships with and do well together servicing customers together and making money together - all parties, that's right!
Unfortunately the same people who will say 'too bad, so sad' after the fact are the people that would send you a revised and then short pay it. The silver lining here (if there is one) is that they are now a past customer that you know will not treat you ethically if 'shit hits the fan'. Good thing it's a minor loss rather than being stranded on a weekend pickup in timbuktwo and the shipper doesn't show up if their reply to you would be the same.
That being said, I got a TL in PA Sunday heading back to QC for Tuesday delivery. Anyone?
Keep well,
Mike
Unfortunately the same people who will say 'too bad, so sad' after the fact are the people that would send you a revised and then short pay it. The silver lining here (if there is one) is that they are now a past customer that you know will not treat you ethically if 'shit hits the fan'. Good thing it's a minor loss rather than being stranded on a weekend pickup in timbuktwo and the shipper doesn't show up if their reply to you would be the same.
That being said, I got a TL in PA Sunday heading back to QC for Tuesday delivery. Anyone?
Keep well,
Mike
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You know, that's a very interesting point. When you go a buy a pair of shoes, you don't get to try them out for a couple hours before you have to pay for them do you? You don't buy a pack of cigarettes and get two free ones taped on the front and two free ones taped on the back do you?
And, I would like to know that too ... who did make two & two the "industry standard" ????
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It's only the standard for people that don't communicate.
I've got several carriers that are 30 mins and 1 hour (LTL/TL) for cross border business. That being said, they factor the reduced loading time into the rates to us. Sometimes we both win, sometimes I pay WT and can't collect but in the end it's what is agreed.
The contract between the carrier and broker is a completely different agreement than with broker and 'whomever'.
Keep well,
Mike
I've got several carriers that are 30 mins and 1 hour (LTL/TL) for cross border business. That being said, they factor the reduced loading time into the rates to us. Sometimes we both win, sometimes I pay WT and can't collect but in the end it's what is agreed.
The contract between the carrier and broker is a completely different agreement than with broker and 'whomever'.
Keep well,
Mike
Unfortunatly we as carriers set that standard a long time ago when 2 hour plus loading times were rare. Now that most places are so busy, shippers think nothing of making someone sit for an hour then taking a half hour to load him cause they know they have 2 hours free to play with.
What i would love to see is the base truck load rate lowered accordingly and then charge $1.00 a minute from the time you enter the shippers yard until you leave. I betcha you would see some pretty quick loading and unloading at that point!!!
that should be the New standard.
What i would love to see is the base truck load rate lowered accordingly and then charge $1.00 a minute from the time you enter the shippers yard until you leave. I betcha you would see some pretty quick loading and unloading at that point!!!
that should be the New standard.
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So,
My $1000 order becomes $760 and I only pay (by the minute) for driver time on site (after they have checked in with the shipper/consignee)? Note - 45 minutes to back in does not constitute 'time on site'.
Where do I sign up?
I hope you read the sarcasm in there, it's sorta a Friday funny if you will.
Keep well,
Mike
My $1000 order becomes $760 and I only pay (by the minute) for driver time on site (after they have checked in with the shipper/consignee)? Note - 45 minutes to back in does not constitute 'time on site'.
Where do I sign up?
I hope you read the sarcasm in there, it's sorta a Friday funny if you will.
Keep well,
Mike
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There has been enough rate lowering we need rates raised so we can start paying drivers more money and get more good drivers in this industry and get rid of the bloody steering wheel holders.
That and getting customs and enforcement types to get off our bloody backs with their revenue generating streams of fines for no reason. ie Onatrio writing $500 fines because you forgot to dot an I or cross a t where is that safety related.
That and getting customs and enforcement types to get off our bloody backs with their revenue generating streams of fines for no reason. ie Onatrio writing $500 fines because you forgot to dot an I or cross a t where is that safety related.
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Hey Rob,
I'm with you, hence the disclaimer. It's why when I call you needing a truck I give you my budget but then ask what your rate is right after.
Keep well,
Mike
I'm with you, hence the disclaimer. It's why when I call you needing a truck I give you my budget but then ask what your rate is right after.
Keep well,
Mike
Hey Mike
I guess the point I was trying to make was that, In a perfect world, the shippers that load you in 15 minutes would pay less and the guys that use up every minute of their "2 hours free time" would pay more.
it doesn't seem right that a 1 hour and 59minute load pays the same as a 15 minute load.
I know it will never happen, but just like a Stanley Cup parade in Toronto its nice to think about!
I guess the point I was trying to make was that, In a perfect world, the shippers that load you in 15 minutes would pay less and the guys that use up every minute of their "2 hours free time" would pay more.
it doesn't seem right that a 1 hour and 59minute load pays the same as a 15 minute load.
I know it will never happen, but just like a Stanley Cup parade in Toronto its nice to think about!
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Steering wheel holders are what the industry gets for drivers these days. Take a look at the new trucks I am buying ... when you want to move, you push the right pedal. When you want to stop, you push the left pedal. When the GPS tells you to turn left, you turn left. They are built for the drivers we get these days.
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Back in the 80's I was leased to a major player in the automotive cartage business, they had one particular customer in Michigan that made sure every truck sat for 1 hour and 55 minutes before they loaded it. They relished the fact that the lease/op was paid after two hours BUT never collected and the more the driver rant and raved the more they enjoyed it. The final 15 minutes before your two hours was up the forklift driver would line up the load in front of the door and push the whole load on in 5 minutes. I later learned if I announced it didn't matter how long they took because I was going to sleep, the load magically appeared in 10 minutes and I was loaded and off. LOL
Being on my own authority since 97 I've found it best to calculate all unexpected expenses into your rate quote. Everyone balks at itemized rates then try to beat you down on different items ( fuel surcharge, waiting time, tarping etc)
Sorry to be the only stick in the mud here but you said that the wait time was caused because the load was loaded incorrectly. I have to ask where was the driver when his trailer was loaded? Is it not the ultimate responsibility of the driver to ensure the load is correctly loaded?
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