1. The most important thing to remember - there's a big difference between assertive and aggressive! Be assertive not aggressive.
2. Always keep your word. Even if they "stretch" the truth about a load, don't sink to their level. If you accept a load and later a better paying one comes along, swallow hard and learn from it. It's the best way to build a good reputation and it pays off. The good ones will know you can be trusted. You'll learn soon enough who to trust and who really doesn't have that load at all. There are just as many good brokers as there are good truckers! 3. When doing business with someone for the first time, always check their references. First, ask the company questions, then ask their references the same questions. If you don't get the same answers from both, be suspicious. Ask what their pay policy is; if they don't pay within 30 days of receipt of the bill, don't haul for them. When you sign the contract, always read the fine print. You never know what weird things might be in there. If something is missing, or vice-versa, ask about it, and insist it be included or removed. Make sure you get a copy of their broker bond insurance and their broker authority. Never do business with someone who doesn't have these, unless it's directly with a shipper. More about that later. You should get all information about the company, such as actual physical address, not just a post office box, a toll free number if they have one, names of dispatchers, accounts payable, etc. Most reputable companies have a standard form with this information included with their contract. 4. Be professional. Use a letterhead that shows your company name, address, phone and fax number. Include all information needed on the bill you submit. Date and place loaded, unloaded, etc. Use a typewriter or computer instead of handwriting. If you can't, be sure to write as neatly as possible. 5. Be prompt. When they fax you a load confirmation, return it as soon as you possibly can. After you unload the load, submit your bill as soon as you can, at least within a week. Always take copies of your bill of ladings before you submit the originals. Good record keeping is a must. Call them after you get loaded and unloaded. Some brokers require to you check in every day with a trip progress report. If you have any trouble, be sure to let them know what to expect. 6. Make sure to get a load confirmation for each and every load you haul. Unless you tape record every phone conversation, this is your only proof of the verbal agreement you made when you took the load. |
Make sure everything is correct before you sign it. If the rate is different than they quoted you on the phone, resolve it before you load and insist on a corrected confirmation.
7. Even if you are careful, there will come a time when someone doesn't pay you within the promised time. Call the accounts payable department the day after the check is due. The United States Postal Service has been known to mess up! If they said in the contract they pay within 30 days of the receipt of the bill, figure it takes 4-5 days for the bill to reach them, and 4-5 days for their check to reach you. They probably have a certain pay schedule, which you should know because you asked them when you first set up with them! Have all the information you need in front of you when you call. Record the date, time and who you talk to. If it sounds like they're giving you the run-around, hang up, call back and ask for the President of the company, the manager, or the "person with the most authority". Nicely give them the facts and request you be paid immediately by ComCheck. If you found this broker on the DAT Services load board, you can file a complaint with them that goes on their record. DAT offers a credit check for a fee and this complaint will show up on their record. 8. If you're having a problem getting paid, continue to send a bill, marked PAST DUE at least every 10-15 days. Remember the parable of the Judge and the righteous widow. Sometimes it works! It might help to have neat notations on each past due bill that you send showing a record of your follow-up calls, when you called, who you talked to, and what they said. Truckers have such a bad reputation, it doesn't hurt to show them that you're on the ball. If you can't resolve this any other way, try small claims court for anything under $1000. 9. Shippers are more profitable to do business with than brokers since it eliminates the middleman. Be sure to do the same credit and reference checks you would do on a broker. They usually need a copy of your authority, proof of insurance and a W-9. Be sure you know their pay schedule and what their policies, requirements and rules are before you load their load. Surprises are not fun. It is important to build your good reputation with shippers as with brokers. A bad attitude can lose an account real fast. 10. Keep a good phone/address record of everyone you deal with. It helps to add comments since after 10 or 20 years things tend to blur together in your brain! There are many good computer software programs available for phonebooks. |