rates

That's interesting. My customers are just the opposite, they pay us the fair rate to haul direct, and the resellers are paying less. But our relationship with them is why we get the better rates. They know we will get the loads hauled on time. When they go through a reseller it's hit and miss if they will get moved on time or not, and they never know what trucking companies are coming. Doesn't really make any difference if we are all getting what we think is fair. I look at things long term too, I also look at averages, not every individual load. I, like you, don't jump ship on my customers if something that works better comes along. Many guys drop everything to run at harvest. While I do run harvest, I make it clear to the farmers, that I still have my regular customers to take care of too, and am not going to give up consistant year round work to make the big money for a month. They are all very understanding and allow us to work them in as we can. I'm also fortunate in that my customers pay quickly..one pays when I hand her the statement, most others pay within the week. The only ones I have to wait on are resellers (usually 2 weeks with travel time in the mail) and farmers at harvest. We have one particular customer that sells direct to the feedlots. He could make a few cents more selling to a reseller and let them send trucks. He would rather pay us a fair rate to do it instead of giving it to the broker who takes his cut, then inturn hires the cheapest trucks they can find. He doesn't have to babysit our crew and wonder if we are going to show up or not. This frees him up to work on other projects.

Trent

I am a subscriber to this site just to see what is out there if I encounter a slow time, but have very rarely had to use it. I too wish rates would be posted. (there are a few guys that do) It would save time making calls and wasting eachothers time. I'm sorry, but I have a calculator, a map, and the IQ above that of the average orangutan so given all the pieces of the puzzle, I can figure if a load works for us. The load should pay the same regardless of where the truck is in relation to it. The loaded miles are the same, so then it's our responsibility as business owners (notice the term business owners....not truckers) to decide if it's profitable figuring time, bounce miles, etc. I have never once in all my years of trucking had a reseller, farmer, or elevator force me to take a load I didn't want to. It either pays or it doesn't...simple as that. As I tell people, i expect a fair rate for my services and I expect to make a fair living for my risk....if I go broke, I am of no value to you. This philosophy has worked well for me. I don't hesitate to park the trucks in the yard...it's all paid for, was ordered new an in excellent repair....no need to drive it around for practice. My customers understand that.

My elevator works with me like this. "Farmer Bob wants to sell x bushels of wheat, what would you charge to haul it to the terminal?" I figure a fair rate and the elevator works on the sale. If the terminal offers a bid whereby we all make the money we are wanting, the sale is made and I go to work. If the numbers don't work, then they might try other marketing venues (resellers) or we wait untill the numbers do work in our favor. But the point is, we all make our "cut" or we don't do it.

I also haul for resellers when the rates are agreeable. I have one that called when freight was slow and rates were soft. He says "I can't pay Trent McCain rates" My reply "then don't expect Trent McCain service" He got his loads hauled, but not from me. He knew where I was coming from, and has told me he doesn't have to worry about loads when we are on the job.

We all want to make a decent living. We as truckers want to make as much as we can, while the brokers want to pay as little as they have too. As long as we can reach an agreement where we can all make money it'll work.

Trent