The News Tab

Dec 17, 2020 at 02:29 PM CST + 4
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. If you read my earlier post titled dispatch services, you may have picked up on the fact I'm a little bored which is getting me in trouble here in paradise.. I now find myself locked in the home office with nothing but my dogs, phone, and computer. 🥺 How many of you take time to read articles under the news tab? More specifically the comments following the article? I ran across the below comments to articles in Freight Waves. Tuesday, May 19, 2020 Owner-operators seek DOT enforcement of broker regulations Thomas Moran says: Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 2:06 am “Drivers: Less demand = lower prices, it is a free market. Works for you when it goes the other way, you whine to Washington when it doesn’t. Trucking is tough. Our history in brokering over last 20 years is we do more loads for less money per load, lower margins in general. You truckers always free to hire salespeople yourselves. There is no money growing on trees. But probably your time would be better spent not whining about brokers, who are just tools of the market, and work on tort reform and other measures to reduced your insurance bills.” Monday September 21, 2020 ArcBest: Broker costs increase to $500,000/year if owner-operators have their way Mark says: Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 7:13 pm “I do not see how any of you people can bitch, U-Haul the Freight quit hauling the stuff, let it sit if the brokers don’t have any trucks than the rates go up, but you guys are too stupid to realize this, you rather go do a rolling roadblock and piss off grandma trying to go to the grocery store, why the brokers back there looking at the TV set saying god look how stupid these truck drivers are” It's ironic that Mark above calls truck drivers stupid when he can’t form complete sentences, use proper punctuation, or the correct word. It does however, provide a glimpse of what some on the other side think about us. I have a few more thoughts on this but gotta go for now, pizza is being slid under the door! After lunch me and the dogs are gonna climb out the window and make a run for the barn!😎

Replied on Tue, Dec 22, 2020 at 11:36 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I'm very suprised that of all the topics in the Bulkloads forum, nobody has a comment on this particular subject. 🤔 I'm posting the below comment NOT for the benefit of the majority of you here on Bulkloads. These forum responses show up on key word or phrase searches when using the Googler on the open internet. While reading the forum comments here on Bulkloads, it is apparent there is considerable knowledge and experience on this website, and most here run solid operations. My comments are for those who may be thinking of getting in the business, or are already in, but find themselves floundering and don't understand why. I am in no way trying to be the expert here, many of you are far more knowledgable than me. My only hope is someone will find someting that will benefit them and their operation, and yes, my truck is still in the paint shop. Some people feel the Broker is the reason for their inability to be successful. However, in the comments I mentioned in the original post, are a couple of them are bluntly (and unprofessionally) giving you the magic bullet that solves the problem. As an opposing view to the anti broker crowd, I'd like to submit this for thought: Legitimate brokers have been part of this industry since the beginning. A point can be made that rather than investing in equipment to compete with carriers, they chose to build relationships with shippers to pair empty trucks with freight to not only increase carrier revinue and decrease deadhead miles, but make a few dollars in the process, no harm in that as far as I'm concerned. They make the sales calls, forge, and maintain relationships with shippers, and collect the money, something all of us could do. They are also on the hook when carriers don't preform as expected ; Rather than trashing brokers, I recommend this: when the load doesn't work for you, simply pass. It quietly makes a statement and doesn't give them any ammunition to make remarks like they did in the comment section of the articles. Take the high ground. In the end, if freight can't get moved, the rates will go up. If rates go up, good brokers and the carriers they have relationships with will prosper. Additionally, we need to talk to each other about bad brokers, and experiences we have at shippers, and recievers. We need to work closer together. That's how to police this situation. If some carriers want to cut rates and deal with the dishonest people in this industry, I say let them devour each other on a race to the bottom. It will pave the way for the good ones to thrive, both brokers, and carriers. Moreover, if you negotiate a rate with the broker that makes you take the load, it really doesn't matter if there are 10 others in the mix; you got the rate you wanted. If it works for you at that time great, go get it. Good brokers realize if they water down rates with others in the mix, they also hurt themselves. If you don't think they have to give up some of the commission when the load changes hands, you are kidding yourself. The entire rate goes down for everyone across the board. The carrier is not the ony one to suffer. To that end, the less than admirable brokers try to pass the rate reduction to the carrier exclusively, but if you know your numbers and pass when the load is too cheap it won't drag you down with them. Additionally, I'm not convinced government is the answer. Can anybody tell me ONE program the government runs efficiently, effectively, and with good old common sense? Hell, look at the Fed Regs. Does anybody think they actually work? Do any of you actually need that overly burdensome pile of crap to run a safe operation? Has the ELD made the highway safe? If ELDs are the magic bullet to make the highways safer, there must have been a massive uptick of commercial vehicle accidents since the hours of service rules have been on a Cornoa pause. Guess what? There hasn't been. If we look for the government to solve our problems we will get way more than we bargained for. Here's a news flash: politicians don't make laws. they vote them in when proposed by special intrest groups and lobbyist. Also, ponder this..If we expect brokers to be transparent with their rates with shippers, what would stop brokers from demanding us to be transparent with our cost of operation just to make sure we are not gouging them with rates? Where does it stop? It stops with carriers. Know your cost of operation, have a realistic view of what the market will bear, understand the past is just that, past. The way it was will never be the way it is. The only thing we can count on is change. It is up to us to improvise, adapt, and overcome. After that, when rates don't work for you, as professionally as possible, PASS. Here's a couple of tips for the holidays: Rather than paying someone else to preform a service you as an independant should be able to do yourself, consider adding a different trailer to your operation for some flexibility (just not a reefer, they suck) when things get slow, or rates aren't where you think they should be. A different trailer will make it easier to pass when your preferred freight is in the tank. If you are not sure how to wade in the waters of your own authority, get some experience as a leased operator until you figure out if you are ready for true independance (your own authority). There is no downside to being a company driver regardless of what many of the YouTube trucking channels tell you. There are, however, some good YouTube Trucking channels out there to help you if you are just starting out. Tim Ghorley's channel Life is Good, Sammy's MakeCents, and DIYsemi, to name a few. Just keep in mind they are making YouTube money, and all of it may not be good for you and your situation. Trucking in general is way easier if you are not deep in personal debt, have personal savings, and have more than one income stream coming into the household. Finally, if you can't seem to make a profit with one truck, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, try adding trucks as a solution to make a profit. You will most likely die a slow painful death.... If you ever find yourself in my area and need help with anything, a cup of coffee, help finding a load, or just want to vent, look me up. I'll do the best I can, no charge. If you're looking for a solid broker, look up the only one I've rated here on Bulkloads. Give him a call. I don't know if he's looking for trucks right now, but he's fair, honest, and trustworthy. They don't come any better. Happy Holidays and I hope you have a profitable 2021!!!

Replied on Tue, Dec 22, 2020 at 11:36 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I'm very suprised that of all the topics in the Bulkloads forum, nobody has a comment on this particular subject. 🤔

I'm posting the below comment NOT for the benefit of the majority of you here on Bulkloads. These forum responses show up on key word or phrase searches when using the Googler on the open internet. While reading the forum comments here on Bulkloads, it is apparent there is considerable knowledge and experience on this website, and most here run solid operations. My comments are for those who may be thinking of getting in the business, or are already in, but find themselves floundering and don't understand why. I am in no way trying to be the expert here, many of you are far more knowledgable than me. My only hope is someone will find someting that will benefit them and their operation, and yes, my truck is still in the paint shop.

Some people feel the Broker is the reason for their inability to be successful. However, in the comments I mentioned in the original post, are a couple of them are bluntly (and unprofessionally) giving you the magic bullet that solves the problem.

As an opposing view to the anti broker crowd, I'd like to submit this for thought: Legitimate brokers have been part of this industry since the beginning. A point can be made that rather than investing in equipment to compete with carriers, they chose to build relationships with shippers to pair empty trucks with freight to not only increase carrier revinue and decrease deadhead miles, but make a few dollars in the process, no harm in that as far as I'm concerned. They make the sales calls, forge, and maintain relationships with shippers, and collect the money, something all of us could do. They are also on the hook when carriers don't preform as expected ;

Rather than trashing brokers, I recommend this: when the load doesn't work for you, simply pass. It quietly makes a statement and doesn't give them any ammunition to make remarks like they did in the comment section of the articles. Take the high ground. In the end, if freight can't get moved, the rates will go up. If rates go up, good brokers and the carriers they have relationships with will prosper. Additionally, we need to talk to each other about bad brokers, and experiences we have at shippers, and recievers. We need to work closer together. That's how to police this situation. If some carriers want to cut rates and deal with the dishonest people in this industry, I say let them devour each other on a race to the bottom. It will pave the way for the good ones to thrive, both brokers, and carriers. Moreover, if you negotiate a rate with the broker that makes you take the load, it really doesn't matter if there are 10 others in the mix; you got the rate you wanted. If it works for you at that time great, go get it. Good brokers realize if they water down rates with others in the mix, they also hurt themselves. If you don't think they have to give up some of the commission when the load changes hands, you are kidding yourself. The entire rate goes down for everyone across the board. The carrier is not the ony one to suffer. To that end, the less than admirable brokers try to pass the rate reduction to the carrier exclusively, but if you know your numbers and pass when the load is too cheap it won't drag you down with them.

Additionally, I'm not convinced government is the answer. Can anybody tell me ONE program the government runs efficiently, effectively, and with good old common sense? Hell, look at the Fed Regs. Does anybody think they actually work? Do any of you actually need that overly burdensome pile of crap to run a safe operation? Has the ELD made the highway safe? If ELDs are the magic bullet to make the highways safer, there must have been a massive uptick of commercial vehicle accidents since the hours of service rules have been on a Cornoa pause. Guess what? There hasn't been. If we look for the government to solve our problems we will get way more than we bargained for. Here's a news flash: politicians don't make laws. they vote them in when proposed by special intrest groups and lobbyist. Also, ponder this..If we expect brokers to be transparent with their rates with shippers, what would stop brokers from demanding us to be transparent with our cost of operation just to make sure we are not gouging them with rates? Where does it stop? It stops with carriers. Know your cost of operation, have a realistic view of what the market will bear, understand the past is just that, past. The way it was will never be the way it is. The only thing we can count on is change. It is up to us to improvise, adapt, and overcome. After that, when rates don't work for you, as professionally as possible, PASS.

Here's a couple of tips for the holidays:

Rather than paying someone else to preform a service you as an independant should be able to do yourself, consider adding a different trailer to your operation for some flexibility (just not a reefer, they suck) when things get slow, or rates aren't where you think they should be. A different trailer will make it easier to pass when your preferred freight is in the tank.

If you are not sure how to wade in the waters of your own authority, get some experience as a leased operator until you figure out if you are ready for true independance (your own authority).

There is no downside to being a company driver regardless of what many of the YouTube trucking channels tell you. There are, however, some good YouTube Trucking channels out there to help you if you are just starting out. Tim Ghorley's channel Life is Good, Sammy's MakeCents, and DIYsemi, to name a few. Just keep in mind they are making YouTube money, and all of it may not be good for you and your situation.

Trucking in general is way easier if you are not deep in personal debt, have personal savings, and have more than one income stream coming into the household.

Finally, if you can't seem to make a profit with one truck, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, try adding trucks as a solution to make a profit. You will most likely die a slow painful death....

If you ever find yourself in my area and need help with anything, a cup of coffee, help finding a load, or just want to vent, look me up. I'll do the best I can, no charge. If you're looking for a solid broker, look up the only one I've rated here on Bulkloads. Give him a call. I don't know if he's looking for trucks right now, but he's fair, honest, and trustworthy. They don't come any better.

Happy Holidays and I hope you have a profitable 2021!!!

Replied on Tue, Dec 22, 2020 at 12:00 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. And one more thing.....Type your response on word then cut and past to the forum. That way you won't look as stupid as I do above with the mis-spelled and duplicate words...😉 Sorry.. Over and OUT

Replied on Tue, Dec 22, 2020 at 12:17 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "I'm very suprised that of all the topics in the Bulkloads forum, nobody has a comment on this particular subject. 🤔 I'm posting the below comment NOT for the benefit of the majority of you here on Bulkloads. These forum responses show up on key word or phrase searches when using the Googler on the open internet. While reading the forum comments here on Bulkloads, it is apparent there is considerable knowledge and experience on this website, and most here run solid operations. My comments are for those who may be thinking of getting in the business, or are already in, but find themselves floundering and don't understand why. I am in no way trying to be the expert here, many of you are far more knowledgable than me. My only hope is someone will find someting that will benefit them and their operation, and yes, my truck is still in the paint shop. Some people feel the Broker is the reason for their inability to be successful. However, in the comments I mentioned in the original post, are a couple of them are bluntly (and unprofessionally) giving you the magic bullet that solves the problem. As an opposing view to the anti broker crowd, I'd like to submit this for thought: Legitimate brokers have been part of this industry since the beginning. A point can be made that rather than investing in equipment to compete with carriers, they chose to build relationships with shippers to pair empty trucks with freight to not only increase carrier revinue and decrease deadhead miles, but make a few dollars in the process, no harm in that as far as I'm concerned. They make the sales calls, forge, and maintain relationships with shippers, and collect the money, something all of us could do. They are also on the hook when carriers don't preform as expected ; Rather than trashing brokers, I recommend this: when the load doesn't work for you, simply pass. It quietly makes a statement and doesn't give them any ammunition to make remarks like they did in the comment section of the articles. Take the high ground. In the end, if freight can't get moved, the rates will go up. If rates go up, good brokers and the carriers they have relationships with will prosper. Additionally, we need to talk to each other about bad brokers, and experiences we have at shippers, and recievers. We need to work closer together. That's how to police this situation. If some carriers want to cut rates and deal with the dishonest people in this industry, I say let them devour each other on a race to the bottom. It will pave the way for the good ones to thrive, both brokers, and carriers. Moreover, if you negotiate a rate with the broker that makes you take the load, it really doesn't matter if there are 10 others in the mix; you got the rate you wanted. If it works for you at that time great, go get it. Good brokers realize if they water down rates with others in the mix, they also hurt themselves. If you don't think they have to give up some of the commission when the load changes hands, you are kidding yourself. The entire rate goes down for everyone across the board. The carrier is not the ony one to suffer. To that end, the less than admirable brokers try to pass the rate reduction to the carrier exclusively, but if you know your numbers and pass when the load is too cheap it won't drag you down with them. Additionally, I'm not convinced government is the answer. Can anybody tell me ONE program the government runs efficiently, effectively, and with good old common sense? Hell, look at the Fed Regs. Does anybody think they actually work? Do any of you actually need that overly burdensome pile of crap to run a safe operation? Has the ELD made the highway safe? If ELDs are the magic bullet to make the highways safer, there must have been a massive uptick of commercial vehicle accidents since the hours of service rules have been on a Cornoa pause. Guess what? There hasn't been. If we look for the government to solve our problems we will get way more than we bargained for. Here's a news flash: politicians don't make laws. they vote them in when proposed by special intrest groups and lobbyist. Also, ponder this..If we expect brokers to be transparent with their rates with shippers, what would stop brokers from demanding us to be transparent with our cost of operation just to make sure we are not gouging them with rates? Where does it stop? It stops with carriers. Know your cost of operation, have a realistic view of what the market will bear, understand the past is just that, past. The way it was will never be the way it is. The only thing we can count on is change. It is up to us to improvise, adapt, and overcome. After that, when rates don't work for you, as professionally as possible, PASS. Here's a couple of tips for the holidays: Rather than paying someone else to preform a service you as an independant should be able to do yourself, consider adding a different trailer to your operation for some flexibility (just not a reefer, they suck) when things get slow, or rates aren't where you think they should be. A different trailer will make it easier to pass when your preferred freight is in the tank. If you are not sure how to wade in the waters of your own authority, get some experience as a leased operator until you figure out if you are ready for true independance (your own authority). There is no downside to being a company driver regardless of what many of the YouTube trucking channels tell you. There are, however, some good YouTube Trucking channels out there to help you if you are just starting out. Tim Ghorley's channel Life is Good, Sammy's MakeCents, and DIYsemi, to name a few. Just keep in mind they are making YouTube money, and all of it may not be good for you and your situation. Trucking in general is way easier if you are not deep in personal debt, have personal savings, and have more than one income stream coming into the household. Finally, if you can't seem to make a profit with one truck, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, try adding trucks as a solution to make a profit. You will most likely die a slow painful death.... If you ever find yourself in my area and need help with anything, a cup of coffee, help finding a load, or just want to vent, look me up. I'll do the best I can, no charge. If you're looking for a solid broker, look up the only one I've rated here on Bulkloads. Give him a call. I don't know if he's looking for trucks right now, but he's fair, honest, and trustworthy. They don't come any better. Happy Holidays and I hope you have a profitable 2021!!!" Well said.

Replied on Tue, Dec 22, 2020 at 12:17 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "I'm very suprised that of all the topics in the Bulkloads forum, nobody has a comment on this particular subject. 🤔 I'm posting the below comment NOT for the benefit of the majority of you here on Bulkloads. These forum responses show up on key word or phrase searches when using the Googler on the open internet. While reading the forum comments here on Bulkloads, it is apparent there is considerable knowledge and experience on this website, and most here run solid operations. My comments are for those who may be thinking of getting in the business, or are already in, but find themselves floundering and don't understand why. I am in no way trying to be the expert here, many of you are far more knowledgable than me. My only hope is someone will find someting that will benefit them and their operation, and yes, my truck is still in the paint shop. Some people feel the Broker is the reason for their inability to be successful. However, in the comments I mentioned in the original post, are a couple of them are bluntly (and unprofessionally) giving you the magic bullet that solves the problem. As an opposing view to the anti broker crowd, I'd like to submit this for thought: Legitimate brokers have been part of this industry since the beginning. A point can be made that rather than investing in equipment to compete with carriers, they chose to build relationships with shippers to pair empty trucks with freight to not only increase carrier revinue and decrease deadhead miles, but make a few dollars in the process, no harm in that as far as I'm concerned. They make the sales calls, forge, and maintain relationships with shippers, and collect the money, something all of us could do. They are also on the hook when carriers don't preform as expected ; Rather than trashing brokers, I recommend this: when the load doesn't work for you, simply pass. It quietly makes a statement and doesn't give them any ammunition to make remarks like they did in the comment section of the articles. Take the high ground. In the end, if freight can't get moved, the rates will go up. If rates go up, good brokers and the carriers they have relationships with will prosper. Additionally, we need to talk to each other about bad brokers, and experiences we have at shippers, and recievers. We need to work closer together. That's how to police this situation. If some carriers want to cut rates and deal with the dishonest people in this industry, I say let them devour each other on a race to the bottom. It will pave the way for the good ones to thrive, both brokers, and carriers. Moreover, if you negotiate a rate with the broker that makes you take the load, it really doesn't matter if there are 10 others in the mix; you got the rate you wanted. If it works for you at that time great, go get it. Good brokers realize if they water down rates with others in the mix, they also hurt themselves. If you don't think they have to give up some of the commission when the load changes hands, you are kidding yourself. The entire rate goes down for everyone across the board. The carrier is not the ony one to suffer. To that end, the less than admirable brokers try to pass the rate reduction to the carrier exclusively, but if you know your numbers and pass when the load is too cheap it won't drag you down with them. Additionally, I'm not convinced government is the answer. Can anybody tell me ONE program the government runs efficiently, effectively, and with good old common sense? Hell, look at the Fed Regs. Does anybody think they actually work? Do any of you actually need that overly burdensome pile of crap to run a safe operation? Has the ELD made the highway safe? If ELDs are the magic bullet to make the highways safer, there must have been a massive uptick of commercial vehicle accidents since the hours of service rules have been on a Cornoa pause. Guess what? There hasn't been. If we look for the government to solve our problems we will get way more than we bargained for. Here's a news flash: politicians don't make laws. they vote them in when proposed by special intrest groups and lobbyist. Also, ponder this..If we expect brokers to be transparent with their rates with shippers, what would stop brokers from demanding us to be transparent with our cost of operation just to make sure we are not gouging them with rates? Where does it stop? It stops with carriers. Know your cost of operation, have a realistic view of what the market will bear, understand the past is just that, past. The way it was will never be the way it is. The only thing we can count on is change. It is up to us to improvise, adapt, and overcome. After that, when rates don't work for you, as professionally as possible, PASS. Here's a couple of tips for the holidays: Rather than paying someone else to preform a service you as an independant should be able to do yourself, consider adding a different trailer to your operation for some flexibility (just not a reefer, they suck) when things get slow, or rates aren't where you think they should be. A different trailer will make it easier to pass when your preferred freight is in the tank. If you are not sure how to wade in the waters of your own authority, get some experience as a leased operator until you figure out if you are ready for true independance (your own authority). There is no downside to being a company driver regardless of what many of the YouTube trucking channels tell you. There are, however, some good YouTube Trucking channels out there to help you if you are just starting out. Tim Ghorley's channel Life is Good, Sammy's MakeCents, and DIYsemi, to name a few. Just keep in mind they are making YouTube money, and all of it may not be good for you and your situation. Trucking in general is way easier if you are not deep in personal debt, have personal savings, and have more than one income stream coming into the household. Finally, if you can't seem to make a profit with one truck, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, try adding trucks as a solution to make a profit. You will most likely die a slow painful death.... If you ever find yourself in my area and need help with anything, a cup of coffee, help finding a load, or just want to vent, look me up. I'll do the best I can, no charge. If you're looking for a solid broker, look up the only one I've rated here on Bulkloads. Give him a call. I don't know if he's looking for trucks right now, but he's fair, honest, and trustworthy. They don't come any better. Happy Holidays and I hope you have a profitable 2021!!!"

Well said.