To shut down or not that is the question? - Bulk Trucking Forum & Discussion Board & Bulkloads.com

{ "forumId": 40608, "postTypeId": 1, "postType": "Forum", "forumTitle": "To shut down or not that is the question?", "forumContent": "\n To shut down or not that is the question? \n \n Every time that things get a little tight, truckers always bring up this question. When freight is banging and running strong they forget about the question and just go back to running. Why is this? It's because when there is a greater demand for the trucks the trucks usually are getting more money, even if it is not exactly what the truck should be getting. Having seen this cycle several times now and riding each and every cycle out. I am amazed at how long it takes for the rates to catch up once they have been pounded down. \n \n After being offered rates as low as .86 per mile this past week, I along with others have grown tired of either the stupidity or the greed of the shippers/brokers. Beings they are over there laughing at us supposed dumb truckers, and continue to tell us the lie that this is all the load can pay. Now here is what really amazes me about this, when I start explaining to the shipper/broker as to what the cost would be if they were running it on their truck they either: \n \n \n Listen and tell me that this is why the sell the freight to others, because it is cheaper to do so \n \n Agree with me and pay a substantially higher rate for our trucks \n \n Inform me that they are still going to pay the cheap rate and don't really care if the trucker is in business in 6 months because there will be another crop of fresh meat to burn \n \n Most truckers will never figure out what the shippers rates are because they are too numb from the grind of the road. \n \n Now I would really like to put out the rates that they should be paying, but when I have danced around this subject I have the truckers come back and act like I don't know what I am talking about. I like the shippers have grown rather weary of the whining, Prim a-Dona attitude that comes along with most truckers. \n \n Here is the answer to the question. Instead of shutting down, just slow down. Simple isn't it? You that are still reading this know that you can't stop. Most of you, are too in debt to even miss one week. You can start missing a load here and there and that won't hurt you, figure out how to whittle down your miles, get higher rates, and not be afraid to say no to the shipper/broker. Remember they need you more than you need them. If each and every truck out there would only run half as many miles as they are right now, but ask for twice the revenue that they are currently doing. The plumbing would get stopped up, and while it may take a little longer than 3 days for the market to feel the effect. The long term ramifications will be much greater. Until we all agree to work with each other, the shippers/brokers will continue to have the upper hand. \n \n I have offered to open a trucker based negotiation organization but keep hearing the same rhetoric from most of you that have called me. It can't work!!! It won't work!!! I don't want to believe you!!! Well here is what I say, It can work!!! It will work!!! If you would just swallow your pride and do!!! \n \n Can, Will, Do \n Alfred Jordan \n Powerhouse Transportation, LLC \n Peculiar, MO", "forumContentHtml": "\r\n\tTo shut down or not that is the question?\r\n\r\n\t \r\n\r\n\tEvery time that things get a little tight, truckers always bring up this question. When freight is banging and running strong they forget about the question and just go back to running. Why is this? It's because when there is a greater demand for the trucks the trucks usually are getting more money, even if it is not exactly what the truck should be getting. Having seen this cycle several times now and riding each and every cycle out. I am amazed at how long it takes for the rates to catch up once they have been pounded down.\r\n\r\n\t \r\n\r\n\tAfter being offered rates as low as .86 per mile this past week, I along with others have grown tired of either the stupidity or the greed of the shippers/brokers. Beings they are over there laughing at us supposed dumb truckers, and continue to tell us the lie that this is all the load can pay. Now here is what really amazes me about this, when I start explaining to the shipper/broker as to what the cost would be if they were running it on their truck they either:\r\n\r\n\t \r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\tListen and tell me that this is why the sell the freight to others, because it is cheaper to do so\r\n\t</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\tAgree with me and pay a substantially higher rate for our trucks\r\n\t</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\tInform me that they are still going to pay the cheap rate and don't really care if the trucker is in business in 6 months because there will be another crop of fresh meat to burn\r\n\t</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\tMost truckers will never figure out what the shippers rates are because they are too numb from the grind of the road.\r\n\t</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n\r\n\t \r\n\r\n\tNow I would really like to put out the rates that they should be paying, but when I have danced around this subject I have the truckers come back and act like I don't know what I am talking about. I like the shippers have grown rather weary of the whining, Prim a-Dona attitude that comes along with most truckers.\r\n\r\n\t \r\n\r\n\tHere is the answer to the question. Instead of shutting down, just slow down. Simple isn't it? You that are still reading this know that you can't stop. Most of you, are too in debt to even miss one week. You can start missing a load here and there and that won't hurt you, figure out how to whittle down your miles, get higher rates, and not be afraid to say no to the shipper/broker. Remember they need you more than you need them. If each and every truck out there would only run half as many miles as they are right now, but ask for twice the revenue that they are currently doing. The plumbing would get stopped up, and while it may take a little longer than 3 days for the market to feel the effect. The long term ramifications will be much greater. Until we all agree to work with each other, the shippers/brokers will continue to have the upper hand.\r\n\r\n\t \r\n\r\n\tI have offered to open a trucker based negotiation organization but keep hearing the same rhetoric from most of you that have called me. It can't work!!! It won't work!!! I don't want to believe you!!! Well here is what I say, It can work!!! It will work!!! If you would just swallow your pride and do!!!\r\n\r\n\t \r\n\r\n\tCan, Will, Do\r\n\r\n\tAlfred Jordan\r\n\r\n\tPowerhouse Transportation, LLC\r\n\r\n\tPeculiar, MO", "thumbUrl": "", "dateAdded": "2015-06-19T19:32:10Z", "lastPost": "2015-06-26T01:03:25Z", "views": 9240, "likes": 8, "dislikes": 0, "messageCount": 21, "premiumOnly": 0, "isfeatured": 0, "showInDays": -100, "showDate": "", "forumLink": "", "youtubeVideoId": "", "approved": 1, "active": 1, "alias": "to-shut-down-or-not-that-is-the-question", "forumUrl": "https://www.bulkloads.com/forum/to-shut-down-or-not-that-is-the-question/", "userId": 11426, "firstName": "ALFRED", "lastName": "JORDAN", "companyName": "POWERHOUSE TRANSPORTATION, LLC ", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "PECULIAR", "state": "MO", "userCommentCount": 1182, "userLikes": 206, "replies": [ { "replyId": 31856, "content": "Great Post!!!", "contentHtml": "Great Post!!!", "parentReplyId": null, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2013-01-29", "dateAdded": "2015-06-19T19:57:59Z", "likes": 0, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 9967, "firstName": "T", "lastName": "J", "companyName": "BONJO ENTERPRISES LLC", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "North Platte", "state": "NE", "userCommentCount": 261, "userLikes": 32, "userDislikes": 13, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31861, "content": "Its just like farming- \"I would much rather have the neighbors ground than the neighbor.\" Alfred you are always insightful and wish more would read your posts and learn from them. I have one truck and trailer and took the approach you talk about. I don't owe much on either. I can run much cheaper than the guy with the new or newer stuff, but WHY!? Me keeping my costs low and manageable is for my benefit, I don't need to pass my cost savings on to anyone. Most brokers I don't even ask the rate, I politely tell them what I can haul it for and to let me know if they need my help. Most of them act insulted and I just laugh, but then more often than one would think you get that call or email back wondering if you are still available.\n", "contentHtml": "Its just like farming- "I would much rather have the neighbors ground than the neighbor." Alfred you are always insightful and wish more would read your posts and learn from them. I have one truck and trailer and took the approach you talk about. I don't owe much on either. I can run much cheaper than the guy with the new or newer stuff, but WHY!? Me keeping my costs low and manageable is for my benefit, I don't need to pass my cost savings on to anyone. Most brokers I don't even ask the rate, I politely tell them what I can haul it for and to let me know if they need my help. Most of them act insulted and I just laugh, but then more often than one would think you get that call or email back wondering if you are still available. ", "parentReplyId": null, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2014-03-14", "dateAdded": "2015-06-19T20:42:22Z", "likes": 0, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 14074, "firstName": "JOSH", "lastName": "BUSTER", "companyName": "JERCE FARMS", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "MUSCATINE", "state": "IA", "userCommentCount": 84, "userLikes": 24, "userDislikes": 4, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31862, "content": "Scott I just talked to a guy that I normally do harvest with my rate has been six dollars a mile for the last 4 years he told me this year he cannot help me because he's got a couple of guys that book the same farm for $2 one way WTF let's shut this bitch down", "contentHtml": "Scott I just talked to a guy that I normally do harvest with my rate has been six dollars a mile for the last 4 years he told me this year he cannot help me because he's got a couple of guys that book the same farm for $2 one way WTF let's shut this bitch down", "parentReplyId": null, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2014-06-12", "dateAdded": "2015-06-19T21:09:47Z", "likes": 1, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 15182, "firstName": "JASON", "lastName": "WEAST", "companyName": "FAIR GROVE TRUCKING", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "Fair Grove", "state": "MO", "userCommentCount": 608, "userLikes": 0, "userDislikes": 1, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31863, "content": "You guys should see the crap that is getting thrown at me over in thetruckersreport.com forum with the same name. Those freighthaulers are really fired up, they can't read as well as us country boys can. Oh that's right all they know how to do is run miles, miles, miles. LOL I thought you guys all gave it to me bad over here, but you guys are gentlemen in comparison to some of them.\n \n Good Job Josh, I am amazed that yesterday they were trying to get us to put .86 per mile freight on our dry van and then this morning it rolled at $2.00 per mile out of Denver. Here is the funny thing I got my driver $3 per mile to go in. We were prepared to bounce all the way back to KC if we had to. The broker that paid us to go in said he understood why we had to have that rate. I did the same thing with another broker going out, I call this shi*hole to shi*hole running. It has worked very well for us over the past few years.\n \n You know what amazes me the most is that I get calls every day asking for our expensive trucks. If I just had more good drivers than I would go out and buy more equipment. My problem has never been with the shippers/brokers, it has been finding good hands to be operators and run my Mercenary Trucking concept. They are so addicted to the miles that they would rather run 3000 miles per week for $3000.00 versus running 1800 miles per week for $4500.00. Oh well, I can't help stupid.\n", "contentHtml": "You guys should see the crap that is getting thrown at me over in thetruckersreport.com forum with the same name. Those freighthaulers are really fired up, they can't read as well as us country boys can. Oh that's right all they know how to do is run miles, miles, miles. LOL I thought you guys all gave it to me bad over here, but you guys are gentlemen in comparison to some of them. \r\n \r\nGood Job Josh, I am amazed that yesterday they were trying to get us to put .86 per mile freight on our dry van and then this morning it rolled at $2.00 per mile out of Denver. Here is the funny thing I got my driver $3 per mile to go in. We were prepared to bounce all the way back to KC if we had to. The broker that paid us to go in said he understood why we had to have that rate. I did the same thing with another broker going out, I call this shi*hole to shi*hole running. It has worked very well for us over the past few years. \r\n \r\nYou know what amazes me the most is that I get calls every day asking for our expensive trucks. If I just had more good drivers than I would go out and buy more equipment. My problem has never been with the shippers/brokers, it has been finding good hands to be operators and run my Mercenary Trucking concept. They are so addicted to the miles that they would rather run 3000 miles per week for $3000.00 versus running 1800 miles per week for $4500.00. Oh well, I can't help stupid. ", "parentReplyId": 31861, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2013-06-26", "dateAdded": "2015-06-19T21:09:49Z", "likes": 1, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 11426, "firstName": "ALFRED", "lastName": "JORDAN", "companyName": "POWERHOUSE TRANSPORTATION, LLC ", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "PECULIAR", "state": "MO", "userCommentCount": 1182, "userLikes": 206, "userDislikes": 6, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31865, "content": "\n It is the drug problem you talk about, I could care less about the miles, time is just as important. When I started doing this a couple years ago I am stubborn/stupid enough not to take cheap freight, I plan my round out and have had it happen to me a couple times that a portion of my trip fell through. If there isnt a load paying decent I WONT TAKE IT. I'll drive home empty(and have done it) before I let some parasite put a cheap load on me. Those loads that are lucky to cover fuel and either your equipment OR your paycheck- I'm not interested in, time is very important. I can boogie back home empty FAR cheaper than with one of those loads and live to fight another day.", "contentHtml": "\r\n\tIt is the drug problem you talk about, I could care less about the miles, time is just as important. When I started doing this a couple years ago I am stubborn/stupid enough not to take cheap freight, I plan my round out and have had it happen to me a couple times that a portion of my trip fell through. If there isnt a load paying decent I WONT TAKE IT. I'll drive home empty(and have done it) before I let some parasite put a cheap load on me. Those loads that are lucky to cover fuel and either your equipment OR your paycheck- I'm not interested in, time is very important. I can boogie back home empty FAR cheaper than with one of those loads and live to fight another day.", "parentReplyId": null, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2014-03-14", "dateAdded": "2015-06-19T21:39:42Z", "likes": 1, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 14074, "firstName": "JOSH", "lastName": "BUSTER", "companyName": "JERCE FARMS", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "MUSCATINE", "state": "IA", "userCommentCount": 84, "userLikes": 24, "userDislikes": 4, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31867, "content": "Cheaper to sit at home than at the truckstop, also my wife is way better looking then those that hang around there. LOL\n", "contentHtml": "Cheaper to sit at home than at the truckstop, also my wife is way better looking then those that hang around there. LOL ", "parentReplyId": 31865, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2013-06-26", "dateAdded": "2015-06-19T21:50:57Z", "likes": 1, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 11426, "firstName": "ALFRED", "lastName": "JORDAN", "companyName": "POWERHOUSE TRANSPORTATION, LLC ", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "PECULIAR", "state": "MO", "userCommentCount": 1182, "userLikes": 206, "userDislikes": 6, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31868, "content": "And she probably wont give you any long lasting memories or gifts that keep on giving!", "contentHtml": "And she probably wont give you any long lasting memories or gifts that keep on giving!", "parentReplyId": null, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2014-03-14", "dateAdded": "2015-06-19T22:00:50Z", "likes": 0, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 14074, "firstName": "JOSH", "lastName": "BUSTER", "companyName": "JERCE FARMS", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "MUSCATINE", "state": "IA", "userCommentCount": 84, "userLikes": 24, "userDislikes": 4, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31869, "content": "When he calls you back after they can't do it anymore. Let him know your price is now $6.50 per mile. You and I both know the other guys will not last very long at $1.00 per mile round trip. Hope you enjoy the fishing down there this weekend, it looks as if it is going to be a hot one.\n", "contentHtml": "When he calls you back after they can't do it anymore. Let him know your price is now $6.50 per mile. You and I both know the other guys will not last very long at $1.00 per mile round trip. Hope you enjoy the fishing down there this weekend, it looks as if it is going to be a hot one. ", "parentReplyId": 31862, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2013-06-26", "dateAdded": "2015-06-19T22:00:51Z", "likes": 0, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 11426, "firstName": "ALFRED", "lastName": "JORDAN", "companyName": "POWERHOUSE TRANSPORTATION, LLC ", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "PECULIAR", "state": "MO", "userCommentCount": 1182, "userLikes": 206, "userDislikes": 6, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31870, "content": "She doesn't whine either. I would rather put it in the wind than hang around the truckstop listening to all that whining. What do you get when you put a bunch of steering wheel holders in a cellar? A whine cellar. LOL\n", "contentHtml": "She doesn't whine either. I would rather put it in the wind than hang around the truckstop listening to all that whining. What do you get when you put a bunch of steering wheel holders in a cellar? A whine cellar. LOL ", "parentReplyId": 31868, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2013-06-26", "dateAdded": "2015-06-19T22:04:23Z", "likes": 1, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 11426, "firstName": "ALFRED", "lastName": "JORDAN", "companyName": "POWERHOUSE TRANSPORTATION, LLC ", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "PECULIAR", "state": "MO", "userCommentCount": 1182, "userLikes": 206, "userDislikes": 6, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31871, "content": "Scott I appreciate that I have tournaments on Lake of the Ozarks pomme and Stockton almost every weekend this summer.\n I believe this year's harvest is going to be a bust some of the commodity brokers that I normally deal with are telling me they have plenty of people doing it for between 2 and 225 1 Way miles we have way too many people in this right now that don't know s*** about what we're doing and it's making the rest some of the guys starve. it really sucks I keep on trying to tell these guys to stay in one field or the other you can't be a freight hauler and be a hopper bottom driver with the same mentality, you have to adjust. just like you can't be a freight broker and a commodity broker either they do not work", "contentHtml": "Scott I appreciate that I have tournaments on Lake of the Ozarks pomme and Stockton almost every weekend this summer. \r\nI believe this year's harvest is going to be a bust some of the commodity brokers that I normally deal with are telling me they have plenty of people doing it for between 2 and 225 1 Way miles we have way too many people in this right now that don't know s*** about what we're doing and it's making the rest some of the guys starve. it really sucks I keep on trying to tell these guys to stay in one field or the other you can't be a freight hauler and be a hopper bottom driver with the same mentality, you have to adjust. just like you can't be a freight broker and a commodity broker either they do not work", "parentReplyId": null, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2014-06-12", "dateAdded": "2015-06-19T22:10:43Z", "likes": 0, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 15182, "firstName": "JASON", "lastName": "WEAST", "companyName": "FAIR GROVE TRUCKING", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "Fair Grove", "state": "MO", "userCommentCount": 608, "userLikes": 0, "userDislikes": 1, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31873, "content": "Agreed, I found out real fast when I got that hopper that you can not run it like a dry van. That is why for the hopper we want an all mile rate. It also helped change the way I started running the dry vans as well. If the customer wants us to run to a bad freight area, then we expect to be paid an all mile rate as well or be at leastwise compensated the bounce to the next freight city. Brokers that are sitting in an office and have never owned trucks don't understand this. I realize that a lot of guys think you and I are full of crap, and in some ways we are. I usually hit the toilet when I fill full what about you Jason? LOL\n", "contentHtml": "Agreed, I found out real fast when I got that hopper that you can not run it like a dry van. That is why for the hopper we want an all mile rate. It also helped change the way I started running the dry vans as well. If the customer wants us to run to a bad freight area, then we expect to be paid an all mile rate as well or be at leastwise compensated the bounce to the next freight city. Brokers that are sitting in an office and have never owned trucks don't understand this. I realize that a lot of guys think you and I are full of crap, and in some ways we are. I usually hit the toilet when I fill full what about you Jason? LOL ", "parentReplyId": 31871, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2013-06-26", "dateAdded": "2015-06-19T22:25:02Z", "likes": 0, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 11426, "firstName": "ALFRED", "lastName": "JORDAN", "companyName": "POWERHOUSE TRANSPORTATION, LLC ", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "PECULIAR", "state": "MO", "userCommentCount": 1182, "userLikes": 206, "userDislikes": 6, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31878, "content": "Most of are work is from local elevators going to different feed mills with in a150mile radius. They pay by the bushel most loads work out to be$2.00-5.00 a loaded mile at 24ton. The $2 loads most guys can get 2-4 loads a day. The $5 is the least miles if your lucky you get one delivered and another loaded. Just to many other trucks. When the brokers call or email I've been asking for a all mile rate. And by all miles I meen from my shop back to my shop. Most say no way. But I've had a couple say ok. And we get the the job done for them with no problems. Then they start calling back, \" I had a guy drop out can you cover this load\" yes for my rate no problem. Doesn't always work but seems to be getting better.", "contentHtml": "Most of are work is from local elevators going to different feed mills with in a150mile radius. They pay by the bushel most loads work out to be$2.00-5.00 a loaded mile at 24ton. The $2 loads most guys can get 2-4 loads a day. The $5 is the least miles if your lucky you get one delivered and another loaded. Just to many other trucks. When the brokers call or email I've been asking for a all mile rate. And by all miles I meen from my shop back to my shop. Most say no way. But I've had a couple say ok. And we get the the job done for them with no problems. Then they start calling back, " I had a guy drop out can you cover this load" yes for my rate no problem. Doesn't always work but seems to be getting better. ", "parentReplyId": null, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2013-09-23", "dateAdded": "2015-06-20T03:05:57Z", "likes": 0, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 12197, "firstName": "DANIEL", "lastName": "CORBIN", "companyName": "LOST HIGHWAY TRUCKING LLC", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "COLUMBIA", "state": "NC", "userCommentCount": 207, "userLikes": 181, "userDislikes": 23, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31879, "content": "This is how I explain it to them. It would be like I invited them to dinner at a steak house over in Lawrence, KS which is about 75 miles from my house. While we were there a buddy of mine that I used to play football with calls and wants me to meet him for a couple of beers. I tell the shipper/broker (my date) that sorry I have to go that they need to find their own ride home, and I don't want to spot the cab fare either. Now the amazing thing is when I ask the shipper/broker what they would think of me in this circumstance they always reply that I was an ahole. I agree, with them and then ask them if they would ever go to dinner with me again. Some said they would but next time they would want me to a leastwise spot the cab fare first. I then in turn ask them why are you then taking me out on a date and expecting me to find my own ride home. I am just asking you to pay for my dinner as agreed and give me the cab fare back home as well. It is very hard to argue with that logic, so I expect round trip money from my home back to my home. If they don't want to pay that then my hopper will continue to sit at home. Our dry van customers do not have a problem paying our rates. So I expect the bulk customers to pay them as well. The truckers and farmers have been getting hoodwinked for far to long, I sat down with the farmers last year and showed them how they could actually make more money by paying my rates. Very few had any idea what I was talking about until I showed them on their taxes, imagine the pisstivity when they realized they had been leaving money on the table all these years.\n \n I realize that the mission that I am on to help the truckers and farmers is going to piss off a lot of people. It won't be the first time, and I am sure that it won't be the last. The real estate brokers hated me when I was a builder because i refused to pay them for doing nothing. A lot of banks got pissed off at me because I was honest and would not build with certain banks that were overcharging their customers closing fees, and interest during their construction loan. The Army got pissed when I refused to sign off on a bogus statement as I was exiting, as a matter of fact they had to pay me to leave. No matter how much I have pissed people off by telling the truth at the end of the day they still respect me for my honesty, and want to do business with me. They know that I will never take one penny more than we agree to.\n \n It is harder to run a honest business in this day and age, but I still believe that in the long run it pays off. The only thing that makes me better than the next guy is my reputation, I say what I mean, I mean what I say, and I do exactly what is agreed.\n", "contentHtml": "This is how I explain it to them. It would be like I invited them to dinner at a steak house over in Lawrence, KS which is about 75 miles from my house. While we were there a buddy of mine that I used to play football with calls and wants me to meet him for a couple of beers. I tell the shipper/broker (my date) that sorry I have to go that they need to find their own ride home, and I don't want to spot the cab fare either. Now the amazing thing is when I ask the shipper/broker what they would think of me in this circumstance they always reply that I was an ahole. I agree, with them and then ask them if they would ever go to dinner with me again. Some said they would but next time they would want me to a leastwise spot the cab fare first. I then in turn ask them why are you then taking me out on a date and expecting me to find my own ride home. I am just asking you to pay for my dinner as agreed and give me the cab fare back home as well. It is very hard to argue with that logic, so I expect round trip money from my home back to my home. If they don't want to pay that then my hopper will continue to sit at home. Our dry van customers do not have a problem paying our rates. So I expect the bulk customers to pay them as well. The truckers and farmers have been getting hoodwinked for far to long, I sat down with the farmers last year and showed them how they could actually make more money by paying my rates. Very few had any idea what I was talking about until I showed them on their taxes, imagine the pisstivity when they realized they had been leaving money on the table all these years. \r\n \r\nI realize that the mission that I am on to help the truckers and farmers is going to piss off a lot of people. It won't be the first time, and I am sure that it won't be the last. The real estate brokers hated me when I was a builder because i refused to pay them for doing nothing. A lot of banks got pissed off at me because I was honest and would not build with certain banks that were overcharging their customers closing fees, and interest during their construction loan. The Army got pissed when I refused to sign off on a bogus statement as I was exiting, as a matter of fact they had to pay me to leave. No matter how much I have pissed people off by telling the truth at the end of the day they still respect me for my honesty, and want to do business with me. They know that I will never take one penny more than we agree to. \r\n \r\nIt is harder to run a honest business in this day and age, but I still believe that in the long run it pays off. The only thing that makes me better than the next guy is my reputation, I say what I mean, I mean what I say, and I do exactly what is agreed. ", "parentReplyId": 31878, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2013-06-26", "dateAdded": "2015-06-20T03:24:44Z", "likes": 3, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 11426, "firstName": "ALFRED", "lastName": "JORDAN", "companyName": "POWERHOUSE TRANSPORTATION, LLC ", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "PECULIAR", "state": "MO", "userCommentCount": 1182, "userLikes": 206, "userDislikes": 6, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31884, "content": "That's kind of how I got started, my dad all ready had two trucks to haul out of field. I bought them from him, started an LLC. And stated charging him and my self for hauling out of field to are bins. Sold the grain to the elevator \"picked up\" but only my trucks were hauling it (pissed some people off). So the LLC is getting paid to haul out field and we're get an expense for taxes. And the LLC is getting paid to haul to the feed mills. Now a lot of guys will haul to cheap. They think if the trucking side brakes even. then they get their crop hauled for free. I like to make money on both sides. now a days I usualy have my trucks working, and I'm back to hualing out of field my self. But I still send myself a bill for hualing.", "contentHtml": "That's kind of how I got started, my dad all ready had two trucks to haul out of field. I bought them from him, started an LLC. And stated charging him and my self for hauling out of field to are bins. Sold the grain to the elevator "picked up" but only my trucks were hauling it (pissed some people off). So the LLC is getting paid to haul out field and we're get an expense for taxes. And the LLC is getting paid to haul to the feed mills. Now a lot of guys will haul to cheap. They think if the trucking side brakes even. then they get their crop hauled for free. I like to make money on both sides. now a days I usualy have my trucks working, and I'm back to hualing out of field my self. But I still send myself a bill for hualing.", "parentReplyId": null, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2013-09-23", "dateAdded": "2015-06-20T04:02:02Z", "likes": 1, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 12197, "firstName": "DANIEL", "lastName": "CORBIN", "companyName": "LOST HIGHWAY TRUCKING LLC", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "COLUMBIA", "state": "NC", "userCommentCount": 207, "userLikes": 181, "userDislikes": 23, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31894, "content": "That there looks to be the way to do it. I have been telling my farmers here that why are you paying for the shipping of your grain. I would pass that cost onto the commodity broker plus a 5% - 10% markup for handling. If they don't like that price then tell them to send their own trucks to pu the grain and don't offer them a discount for doing so. You need to think of your farm the same as a store, if the customer wants your product they either have to drive to your store to get it or pay for your delivery service to deliver it. I have never seen it done any different until I reentered into trucking. That is the way things were done years ago, one should be able to charge for ones services serperate from the product. It works better like that.\n", "contentHtml": "That there looks to be the way to do it. I have been telling my farmers here that why are you paying for the shipping of your grain. I would pass that cost onto the commodity broker plus a 5% - 10% markup for handling. If they don't like that price then tell them to send their own trucks to pu the grain and don't offer them a discount for doing so. You need to think of your farm the same as a store, if the customer wants your product they either have to drive to your store to get it or pay for your delivery service to deliver it. I have never seen it done any different until I reentered into trucking. That is the way things were done years ago, one should be able to charge for ones services serperate from the product. It works better like that. ", "parentReplyId": 31884, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2013-06-26", "dateAdded": "2015-06-22T04:22:46Z", "likes": 1, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 11426, "firstName": "ALFRED", "lastName": "JORDAN", "companyName": "POWERHOUSE TRANSPORTATION, LLC ", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "PECULIAR", "state": "MO", "userCommentCount": 1182, "userLikes": 206, "userDislikes": 6, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31900, "content": "Alfred, I been reading these post since May 1st when I parked my hopper and started pulling a cover wagon. Things are a little better. I like your idea of the slowing down ,makes good sense to me. I have had the thought of instead of a shutdown that not everyone would agree on. How about picking 1 broker with a not so good reputation, and everyone say no to them for a week. I believe that would send a pretty clear message.", "contentHtml": "Alfred, I been reading these post since May 1st when I parked my hopper and started pulling a cover wagon. Things are a little better. I like your idea of the slowing down ,makes good sense to me. I have had the thought of instead of a shutdown that not everyone would agree on. How about picking 1 broker with a not so good reputation, and everyone say no to them for a week. I believe that would send a pretty clear message. ", "parentReplyId": null, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2014-01-17", "dateAdded": "2015-06-24T01:13:48Z", "likes": 0, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 13336, "firstName": "SCOTT", "lastName": "HAMPTON", "companyName": "SCOTT HAMPTON TRUCKING", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "INDIANOLA", "state": "IA", "userCommentCount": 6, "userLikes": 4, "userDislikes": 0, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31901, "content": "Go check out this and see what we are saying over there\n \n http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/threads/tql-total-quality-logistics.243578/", "contentHtml": "Go check out this and see what we are saying over there \r\n \r\nhttp://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/threads/tql-total-quality-logistics.243578/", "parentReplyId": 31900, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2013-06-26", "dateAdded": "2015-06-24T03:32:51Z", "likes": 0, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 11426, "firstName": "ALFRED", "lastName": "JORDAN", "companyName": "POWERHOUSE TRANSPORTATION, LLC ", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "PECULIAR", "state": "MO", "userCommentCount": 1182, "userLikes": 206, "userDislikes": 6, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31902, "content": "Sorry I posted the wrong thread, here is the correct one answering your question.\n \n http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/threads/tql-one-more-bad-broker.288117/#post-4645045", "contentHtml": "Sorry I posted the wrong thread, here is the correct one answering your question. \r\n \r\nhttp://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/threads/tql-one-more-bad-broker.288117/#post-4645045", "parentReplyId": 31901, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2013-06-26", "dateAdded": "2015-06-24T03:36:10Z", "likes": 0, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 11426, "firstName": "ALFRED", "lastName": "JORDAN", "companyName": "POWERHOUSE TRANSPORTATION, LLC ", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "PECULIAR", "state": "MO", "userCommentCount": 1182, "userLikes": 206, "userDislikes": 6, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31920, "content": "Something doesnt add up with those clowns? They are still in business, making billions and absolutely horrible service(I would imagine to the shipper as well as the carrier) I havent ever hauled for them- Alfred and Art are to thank for that, I don't need to touch the burner to know that it is hot! It just doesnt make sense to me that they remain in business with so much bad PR. I get there are retarded truckers that haul for them, but something has to give at some point.", "contentHtml": "Something doesnt add up with those clowns? They are still in business, making billions and absolutely horrible service(I would imagine to the shipper as well as the carrier) I havent ever hauled for them- Alfred and Art are to thank for that, I don't need to touch the burner to know that it is hot! It just doesnt make sense to me that they remain in business with so much bad PR. I get there are retarded truckers that haul for them, but something has to give at some point.", "parentReplyId": null, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2014-03-14", "dateAdded": "2015-06-25T01:13:33Z", "likes": 0, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 14074, "firstName": "JOSH", "lastName": "BUSTER", "companyName": "JERCE FARMS", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "MUSCATINE", "state": "IA", "userCommentCount": 84, "userLikes": 24, "userDislikes": 4, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 }, { "replyId": 31936, "content": "Just don't haul for them, tell your friends not to haul for them. This is how you clean up our house, one dishonest company at a time. Whether it be a Broker or Trucker, it is not slander nor liable if it is the truth. I caution all to be very wise in your statements, there are people out there that are paid to browse forums and see how much bad PR is being done to them. They have fairly large legal departments, much larger than mine. Although when they have called me an threatned to sue me, I have told them go right ahead, my attorney will be more than happy to file my countersuit against them. This usually squelchs down their idle threat. The easiest way to run somebody out of business is to just quit doing business with them. Bad news always travels faster than good news. Turtle Quantity Losers are most likely to be dishonest the majority of the time. That is just a sample of how to protect yourselves legally. As this summer heats up, and freight continues to fall in some sectors, just remember to keep your cool and use caution when posting. Once you hit Post it is out there for the whole world to see.\n \n Thieves make lots of money over the short run, but wise and prudent men make their money over the long haul.\n", "contentHtml": "Just don't haul for them, tell your friends not to haul for them. This is how you clean up our house, one dishonest company at a time. Whether it be a Broker or Trucker, it is not slander nor liable if it is the truth. I caution all to be very wise in your statements, there are people out there that are paid to browse forums and see how much bad PR is being done to them. They have fairly large legal departments, much larger than mine. Although when they have called me an threatned to sue me, I have told them go right ahead, my attorney will be more than happy to file my countersuit against them. This usually squelchs down their idle threat. The easiest way to run somebody out of business is to just quit doing business with them. Bad news always travels faster than good news. Turtle Quantity Losers are most likely to be dishonest the majority of the time. That is just a sample of how to protect yourselves legally. As this summer heats up, and freight continues to fall in some sectors, just remember to keep your cool and use caution when posting. Once you hit Post it is out there for the whole world to see. \r\n \r\nThieves make lots of money over the short run, but wise and prudent men make their money over the long haul. ", "parentReplyId": 31920, "thumbUrl": "", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "signUpDate": "2013-06-26", "dateAdded": "2015-06-26T01:03:25Z", "likes": 0, "dislikes": 0, "approved": 1, "userId": 11426, "firstName": "ALFRED", "lastName": "JORDAN", "companyName": "POWERHOUSE TRANSPORTATION, LLC ", "email": "[email protected]", "city": "PECULIAR", "state": "MO", "userCommentCount": 1182, "userLikes": 206, "userDislikes": 6, "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0 } ], "userDislikes": 6, "signUpDate": "2013-06-26", "avatarThumbUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.bulkloads.com/user_files/profile/thumbs/default.png", "links": [], "files": [], "iLike": 0, "iDislike": 0, "iSubscribe": 0 }

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To shut down or not that is the question?

Posted on Fri, Jun 19, 2015 at 3:32 PM CST in PECULIAR, MO

To shut down or not that is the question?

Every time that things get a little tight, truckers always bring up this question. When freight is banging and running strong they forget about the question and just go back to running. Why is this? It's because when there is a greater demand for the trucks the trucks usually are getting more money, even if it is not exactly what the truck should be getting. Having seen this cycle several times now and riding each and every cycle out. I am amazed at how long it takes for the rates to catch up once they have been pounded down.

After being offered rates as low as .86 per mile this past week, I along with others have grown tired of either the stupidity or the greed of the shippers/brokers. Beings they are over there laughing at us supposed dumb truckers, and continue to tell us the lie that this is all the load can pay. Now here is what really amazes me about this, when I start explaining to the shipper/broker as to what the cost would be if they were running it on their truck they either:

Listen and tell me that this is why the sell the freight to others, because it is cheaper to do so
Agree with me and pay a substantially higher rate for our trucks
Inform me that they are still going to pay the cheap rate and don't really care if the trucker is in business in 6 months because there will be another crop of fresh meat to burn
Most truckers will never figure out what the shippers rates are because they are too numb from the grind of the road.

Now I would really like to put out the rates that they should be paying, but when I have danced around this subject I have the truckers come back and act like I don't know what I am talking about. I like the shippers have grown rather weary of the whining, Prim a-Dona attitude that comes along with most truckers.

Here is the answer to the question. Instead of shutting down, just slow down. Simple isn't it? You that are still reading this know that you can't stop. Most of you, are too in debt to even miss one week. You can start missing a load here and there and that won't hurt you, figure out how to whittle down your miles, get higher rates, and not be afraid to say no to the shipper/broker. Remember they need you more than you need them. If each and every truck out there would only run half as many miles as they are right now, but ask for twice the revenue that they are currently doing. The plumbing would get stopped up, and while it may take a little longer than 3 days for the market to feel the effect. The long term ramifications will be much greater. Until we all agree to work with each other, the shippers/brokers will continue to have the upper hand.

I have offered to open a trucker based negotiation organization but keep hearing the same rhetoric from most of you that have called me. It can't work!!! It won't work!!! I don't want to believe you!!! Well here is what I say, It can work!!! It will work!!! If you would just swallow your pride and do!!!

Can, Will, Do

Alfred Jordan

Powerhouse Transportation, LLC

Peculiar, MO

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To shut down or not that is the question? - Bulk Trucking Forum & Discussion Board & Bulkloads.com

To shut down or not that is the question?

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