Late fee's and why ratings matter

May 03, 2025 at 12:11 PM CST + 11
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Hello, I've been hauling bulk for roughly 3 years now. I've used BulkLoads to make the majority of my contacts. All in all it's been a positive experience. I have a handful of brokers that I prefer to do business with, and then a few that are of last resort. Within the past 6 months I've had to fight 2 brokerages (that I won't name) for payment. My terms are listed at the bottom of every bill, DUE UPON RECEIPT, A 3% CHARGE WILL BE ADDED TO ANY BALANCES NOT RECEIVED WITHIN 30 DAYS. My terms are pretty much industry standard, I'm not a bank. Both brokerages, who have been in business for a long time and post a lot of loads here originally declined to include the late fee after 50 days without payment. I had to threaten listing them as non-payment on BulkLoads in order to be paid in full. It shouldn't come to that. I pay for the equipment to run the load, I bought the fuel to run the load, I paid the insurance, and God forbid I get paid for my time. Outside of filling on a brokers bond, the only other way of getting payment out of some of these people may be threatening a negative rating. Nobody wants to haul for someone with 3 non-payments or someone who averages 100 days to pay. Ratings matter. If you don't know how to rate a shipper, get in touch with Bulkloads admin, they usually respond quickly.

Replied on Mon, May 19, 2025 at 09:11 AM CST + 2
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. And while we’re at it — let’s talk detention pay and this whole 30-day pay window nonsense. If detention is agreed to upfront and confirmed, why are we still having to chase it down weeks later, only to hear “Oops, that was a mistake on our end.” Cool. But that “mistake” cost me hours, my reload, and my schedule. And somehow I’m the one expected to just eat it? Then there’s the 30-day payment terms. Let’s be honest — they probably already got paid for the load, especially if they’re getting it directly from the shipper or facility. Most of those companies pay brokers within a week or two. So where’s that money sitting while we’re over here waiting and watching our bills pile up? The ones doing the actual work — the drivers out here hauling, waiting, covering fuel, insurance, repairs — are always the ones getting bit in the ass. If you can’t pay timely or honor detention like you agreed to, you shouldn't be brokering freight. We’re not banks. We’re businesses. Pay us like one.

Replied on Mon, May 19, 2025 at 09:11 AM CST

+ 2

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

And while we’re at it — let’s talk detention pay and this whole 30-day pay window nonsense.

If detention is agreed to upfront and confirmed, why are we still having to chase it down weeks later, only to hear “Oops, that was a mistake on our end.” Cool. But that “mistake” cost me hours, my reload, and my schedule. And somehow I’m the one expected to just eat it?

Then there’s the 30-day payment terms. Let’s be honest — they probably already got paid for the load, especially if they’re getting it directly from the shipper or facility. Most of those companies pay brokers within a week or two. So where’s that money sitting while we’re over here waiting and watching our bills pile up?

The ones doing the actual work — the drivers out here hauling, waiting, covering fuel, insurance, repairs — are always the ones getting bit in the ass.

If you can’t pay timely or honor detention like you agreed to, you shouldn't be brokering freight.

We’re not banks. We’re businesses. Pay us like one.

Replied on Tue, May 20, 2025 at 07:43 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "And while we’re at it — let’s talk detention pay and this whole 30-day pay window nonsense. If detention is agreed to upfront and confirmed, why are we still having to chase it down weeks later, only to hear “Oops, that was a mistake on our end.” Cool. But that “mistake” cost me hours, my reload, and my schedule. And somehow I’m the one expected to just eat it? Then there’s the 30-day payment terms. Let’s be honest — they probably already got paid for the load, especially if they’re getting it directly from the shipper or facility. Most of those companies pay brokers within a week or two. So where’s that money sitting while we’re over here waiting and watching our bills pile up? The ones doing the actual work — the drivers out here hauling, waiting, covering fuel, insurance, repairs — are always the ones getting bit in the ass. If you can’t pay timely or honor detention like you agreed to, you shouldn't be brokering freight. We’re not banks. We’re businesses. Pay us like one." This industry has operated like this for years. When times are good or interest is cheap, bills get paid right away. When things get tight, everyone wants to operate on your money. Keep that in mind when negotiating rates.

Replied on Tue, May 20, 2025 at 07:43 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "And while we’re at it — let’s talk detention pay and this whole 30-day pay window nonsense. If detention is agreed to upfront and confirmed, why are we still having to chase it down weeks later, only to hear “Oops, that was a mistake on our end.” Cool. But that “mistake” cost me hours, my reload, and my schedule. And somehow I’m the one expected to just eat it? Then there’s the 30-day payment terms. Let’s be honest — they probably already got paid for the load, especially if they’re getting it directly from the shipper or facility. Most of those companies pay brokers within a week or two. So where’s that money sitting while we’re over here waiting and watching our bills pile up? The ones doing the actual work — the drivers out here hauling, waiting, covering fuel, insurance, repairs — are always the ones getting bit in the ass. If you can’t pay timely or honor detention like you agreed to, you shouldn't be brokering freight. We’re not banks. We’re businesses. Pay us like one."

This industry has operated like this for years. When times are good or interest is cheap, bills get paid right away. When things get tight, everyone wants to operate on your money. Keep that in mind when negotiating rates.

Replied on Tue, May 20, 2025 at 09:51 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "And while we’re at it — let’s talk detention pay and this whole 30-day pay window nonsense. If detention is agreed to upfront and confirmed, why are we still having to chase it down weeks later, only to hear “Oops, that was a mistake on our end.” Cool. But that “mistake” cost me hours, my reload, and my schedule. And somehow I’m the one expected to just eat it? Then there’s the 30-day payment terms. Let’s be honest — they probably already got paid for the load, especially if they’re getting it directly from the shipper or facility. Most of those companies pay brokers within a week or two. So where’s that money sitting while we’re over here waiting and watching our bills pile up? The ones doing the actual work — the drivers out here hauling, waiting, covering fuel, insurance, repairs — are always the ones getting bit in the ass. If you can’t pay timely or honor detention like you agreed to, you shouldn't be brokering freight. We’re not banks. We’re businesses. Pay us like one." This is why I only work directly with shippers or in a couple cases the recievers that are paying and booking loads. Everyone I work with pays within 7 days of invoicing. My advice to everyone is to get out there and build relationships with customers. Dress profesioally, be forward and honest, and shoot high with bids. A good shipper will counter offer at what the current carrier or broker is doing it for. A lot of times you can get a lane away from a broker if you can match their rate and dedicate the lane to just your trucks. Shippers like consistancy and that includes in their carrier pool. So stop sucking on the malnurishised broker feed trough and find your own green pastures. It is doable. I'm only 3 yrs in to my own authority with two trucks and have 2 shippers that keep me more than busy, pay me every week like clockwork, and pay me well for my reliable dedicated service.

Replied on Tue, May 20, 2025 at 09:51 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

This is why I only work directly with shippers or in a couple cases the recievers that are paying and booking loads. Everyone I work with pays within 7 days of invoicing. My advice to everyone is to get out there and build relationships with customers. Dress profesioally, be forward and honest, and shoot high with bids. A good shipper will counter offer at what the current carrier or broker is doing it for. A lot of times you can get a lane away from a broker if you can match their rate and dedicate the lane to just your trucks. Shippers like consistancy and that includes in their carrier pool. So stop sucking on the malnurishised broker feed trough and find your own green pastures. It is doable. I'm only 3 yrs in to my own authority with two trucks and have 2 shippers that keep me more than busy, pay me every week like clockwork, and pay me well for my reliable dedicated service.