For owner operators only

Apr 25, 2023 at 12:16 PM CST + 19
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Good day my name is Scott Sleep. For someone that has been on the road for the past 17 years and a owner of a small Trucking company for 10 years . I see alot of brokers taking to much off the top and are Arrogant about them not having any problems getting loads hauled when they have a book of loads .....

Replied on Tue, Apr 25, 2023 at 01:31 PM CST + 2
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Well said,trucking for thirty years and the last year and a half rates are a joke

Replied on Tue, Apr 25, 2023 at 01:32 PM CST + 4
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Seeming to become the general consensus. The reason brokers are taking so much off the top right now, is because they don't have the same kind of volume that they are used to having; so they are making up the difference. However, this isn't the case for all brokers. Most brokers average 4-10% of the gross on loads. The over-saturation of trucks hitting the bulk industry is getting out of hand. Truckers fighting with each other to the bottom dollar...Stuff that we hauled for $120/ton, just 3 months ago, is now $51/ton,and they are right. It will get hauled. I'm sure that's where the arrogance is coming from, but there is concern amongst truckers & brokers alike, what is going on with the industry. Lanes are changing, and there is no loyalty anymore....so I have a hard time believing anyone has a book of loads. Unless they are changing their prices with the shippers decline in rate.

Replied on Tue, Apr 25, 2023 at 01:32 PM CST

+ 4

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Seeming to become the general consensus. The reason brokers are taking so much off the top right now, is because they don't have the same kind of volume that they are used to having; so they are making up the difference. However, this isn't the case for all brokers. Most brokers average 4-10% of the gross on loads. The over-saturation of trucks hitting the bulk industry is getting out of hand. Truckers fighting with each other to the bottom dollar...Stuff that we hauled for $120/ton, just 3 months ago, is now $51/ton,and they are right. It will get hauled. I'm sure that's where the arrogance is coming from, but there is concern amongst truckers & brokers alike, what is going on with the industry. Lanes are changing, and there is no loyalty anymore....so I have a hard time believing anyone has a book of loads. Unless they are changing their prices with the shippers decline in rate.

Replied on Wed, Apr 26, 2023 at 05:36 AM CST + 2 - 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Well said gentlemen.Ive been out here 40 years now and the last 5 hauling bulk commodities for a couple different brokers and I experienced them scalping of the top then taking there % out after that and they wonder why no one hauls for them. Again if the brokers were asked to see the shippers rate maybe these cut throat brokers would get washed away and things might come back like they should

Replied on Wed, Apr 26, 2023 at 05:36 AM CST

+ 2 - 1

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Well said gentlemen.Ive been out here 40 years now and the last 5 hauling bulk commodities for a couple different brokers and I experienced them scalping of the top then taking there % out after that and they wonder why no one hauls for them. Again if the brokers were asked to see the shippers rate maybe these cut throat brokers would get washed away and things might come back like they should

Replied on Wed, Apr 26, 2023 at 05:36 AM CST + 2
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Yeah it's crazy. I was looking to get a bigger pneumatic. Nothing fancy. No airlids. No lift axle. No bottom load. Just a big tank. They wanted 120k. A few weeks ago a broker for a flatbed company was calling me every week or so touting some dedicated work. It was a short distance and would have burned about 3 ½ hours per turn. For 200 dollars and change. She couldn't accept that rate per mile is irrelevant on short loads. She eventually stopped calling. So I assume some sucker is gleefully working 12 hours or more per day for 800 dollars. I've been at this since 1998 and bought my first truck in 2000. That's the only truck or trailer I've ever had a payment on. If I can't buy it cash. I don't need it. Some guys over leverage themselves and that's what forces them to take these garbage rates. I will park my equipment and let weeds grow through before I run around breaking even.

Replied on Wed, Apr 26, 2023 at 05:36 AM CST

+ 2

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Yeah it's crazy. I was looking to get a bigger pneumatic. Nothing fancy. No airlids. No lift axle. No bottom load. Just a big tank. They wanted 120k. A few weeks ago a broker for a flatbed company was calling me every week or so touting some dedicated work. It was a short distance and would have burned about 3 ½ hours per turn. For 200 dollars and change. She couldn't accept that rate per mile is irrelevant on short loads. She eventually stopped calling. So I assume some sucker is gleefully working 12 hours or more per day for 800 dollars. I've been at this since 1998 and bought my first truck in 2000. That's the only truck or trailer I've ever had a payment on. If I can't buy it cash. I don't need it. Some guys over leverage themselves and that's what forces them to take these garbage rates. I will park my equipment and let weeds grow through before I run around breaking even.

Replied on Wed, Apr 26, 2023 at 08:33 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. I completely agree, the broker agreements that were forced to sign open up to so many lawsuits if we try to pursue the shipper directly. It’s getting way out of hand that the actual guy owning and operating the truck can’t seem to make a good enough living. There’s probably creative ways to get around what we have to sign in a broker agreement but I guess I’m just not shady enough to do it

Replied on Wed, Apr 26, 2023 at 08:33 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

I completely agree, the broker agreements that were forced to sign open up to so many lawsuits if we try to pursue the shipper directly. It’s getting way out of hand that the actual guy owning and operating the truck can’t seem to make a good enough living. There’s probably creative ways to get around what we have to sign in a broker agreement but I guess I’m just not shady enough to do it

Replied on Wed, Apr 26, 2023 at 08:55 AM CST + 4
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. It's worse than any of us can imagine....because it's happening right here on this load board. Transparency would solve 90% of the rate issues.

Replied on Wed, Apr 26, 2023 at 01:33 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. '86 - '91, and '16 to now....it's a lot different this time!

Replied on Thu, Apr 27, 2023 at 12:36 PM CST + 2 - 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. I remember listening to a podcast not that long ago where the host was complaining about how when you work with a LTL carrier it was like working with the Mafia, there is no negotiating, it’s there rate or else, it got me thinking how you never see owner operators in that market, is this a clue where the problem lies? I don’t know, but how many of you have ever had success trying to negotiate with your insurance company by making a counter offer when they raise your premiums? Or any of the other items you buy? It seems to only happen in this industry.

Replied on Thu, Apr 27, 2023 at 12:36 PM CST

+ 2 - 1

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

I remember listening to a podcast not that long ago where the host was complaining about how when you work with a LTL carrier it was like working with the Mafia, there is no negotiating, it’s there rate or else, it got me thinking how you never see owner operators in that market, is this a clue where the problem lies? I don’t know, but how many of you have ever had success trying to negotiate with your insurance company by making a counter offer when they raise your premiums? Or any of the other items you buy? It seems to only happen in this industry.

Replied on Thu, Apr 27, 2023 at 03:43 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "It's worse than any of us can imagine....because it's happening right here on this load board. Transparency would solve 90% of the rate issues. " I hope it's not happening here, since this site is supposed to be the opposite of that - I thought!

Replied on Sat, Apr 29, 2023 at 08:15 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "I remember listening to a podcast not that long ago where the host was complaining about how when you work with a LTL carrier it was like working with the Mafia, there is no negotiating, it’s there rate or else, it got me thinking how you never see owner operators in that market, is this a clue where the problem lies? I don’t know, but how many of you have ever had success trying to negotiate with your insurance company by making a counter offer when they raise your premiums? Or any of the other items you buy? It seems to only happen in this industry." I can't say about negotiating with the insurance company. But you sure can shop around. That works with anything. Most probably know, but some may not know that some OEM dealers have different price levels on their parts depending on who you are. I was shopping for disc brake parts some years ago. I was given a tip by a parts house that All State Peterbilt was a reasonable source for Paccar parts. I called their Clear Lake store for pricing. I then, to be be fair, called MHC in Cedar Rapids (where I have an account) to get a price. MHC's price was considerably higher. I told them I had a better price from a different Paccar dealer. He put me on hold. He came back almost matching All State's price. I drove to Clear Lake. MHC would have f***** me if I would have let them.

Replied on Sat, Apr 29, 2023 at 08:15 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "I remember listening to a podcast not that long ago where the host was complaining about how when you work with a LTL carrier it was like working with the Mafia, there is no negotiating, it’s there rate or else, it got me thinking how you never see owner operators in that market, is this a clue where the problem lies? I don’t know, but how many of you have ever had success trying to negotiate with your insurance company by making a counter offer when they raise your premiums? Or any of the other items you buy? It seems to only happen in this industry."

I can't say about negotiating with the insurance company. But you sure can shop around. That works with anything. Most probably know, but some may not know that some OEM dealers have different price levels on their parts depending on who you are.

I was shopping for disc brake parts some years ago. I was given a tip by a parts house that All State Peterbilt was a reasonable source for Paccar parts. I called their Clear Lake store for pricing. I then, to be be fair, called MHC in Cedar Rapids (where I have an account) to get a price. MHC's price was considerably higher. I told them I had a better price from a different Paccar dealer. He put me on hold. He came back almost matching All State's price. I drove to Clear Lake. MHC would have f***** me if I would have let them.

Replied on Sun, Apr 30, 2023 at 10:17 PM CST + 3
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. OO NEED TO STOP HAULING FOR BROKERS WHO PULL ALL THEIR LOADS FROM BULKLOADS! The few shippers/brokers who co/double broker(A) their loads to the parasitic brokers(B) who post on bulkloads, have decided they(A) can lower their rates and increase their(A) PROFITS! And are doing so well, they(A) have dropped rates lower than parasitic brokers.

Replied on Mon, May 01, 2023 at 02:09 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. And also be careful of brokers like S&S customs work out of Maryland They will not pay or that the rate confirmation says factoring companies are not coming after their credit score I want to know why

Replied on Tue, May 02, 2023 at 03:29 PM CST + 4
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Let's just put this out there. Trucking is a vicious circle! Covid seemed to have a wild affect on the van and refer sectors of the industry. While I have been dispatching trucks for 12 years and in this industry for 35 years, I have seen the ebs and flows of the industry. Yes, some times were tough as hell and some times are still tough as hell, but 90% of the times are fairly easy. The way that has worked best for us is to work our way in with direct customers and become a reliable part of their transportation group. Live by the motto of "If you are early, you are on time. If you are on time, you are late and if you are late, you are unacceptable"! Also, DO NOT jump from trailer to trailer chasing the high dollars! Find your niche and work it! Stay loyal to your customers so they stay loyal to you! We never strayed from the bulk side of the industry and now that every other sector is down, we still do well and are profitable. Now let's move on to brokers. Yes there are some bottom feeders who I would classify as "lazy"! These are the brokers who repost loads on load boards hoping to skim a little more off the top or copying and pasting an email that they receive, without changing the font or even trying to make the email their own! There are some excellent brokers out there! I know MANY! It is trial and error on finding them and seeing what will work in your particular circumstances. Lumping brokers all into one class is not fair! We all can see when a broker is trying to make an easy living and that the lazy way out! Don't let them make a living off of your back! Do your homework and call around until you find the rate that will work for you and if no one has that rate, move on to another load! There is a lot of over priced equipment out there from the covid days and that needs to get reposessed and the amount of trucks cut down before we will see a turn around in the industry! Hopefully you all can survive! I know we will, one way or another!

Replied on Tue, May 02, 2023 at 03:29 PM CST

+ 4

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Let's just put this out there. Trucking is a vicious circle! Covid seemed to have a wild affect on the van and refer sectors of the industry. While I have been dispatching trucks for 12 years and in this industry for 35 years, I have seen the ebs and flows of the industry. Yes, some times were tough as hell and some times are still tough as hell, but 90% of the times are fairly easy. The way that has worked best for us is to work our way in with direct customers and become a reliable part of their transportation group. Live by the motto of "If you are early, you are on time. If you are on time, you are late and if you are late, you are unacceptable"! Also, DO NOT jump from trailer to trailer chasing the high dollars! Find your niche and work it! Stay loyal to your customers so they stay loyal to you! We never strayed from the bulk side of the industry and now that every other sector is down, we still do well and are profitable.

Now let's move on to brokers. Yes there are some bottom feeders who I would classify as "lazy"! These are the brokers who repost loads on load boards hoping to skim a little more off the top or copying and pasting an email that they receive, without changing the font or even trying to make the email their own! There are some excellent brokers out there! I know MANY! It is trial and error on finding them and seeing what will work in your particular circumstances. Lumping brokers all into one class is not fair! We all can see when a broker is trying to make an easy living and that the lazy way out! Don't let them make a living off of your back! Do your homework and call around until you find the rate that will work for you and if no one has that rate, move on to another load!

There is a lot of over priced equipment out there from the covid days and that needs to get reposessed and the amount of trucks cut down before we will see a turn around in the industry! Hopefully you all can survive! I know we will, one way or another!

Replied on Wed, May 03, 2023 at 07:04 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Survive?! The entitlement class expects much more than that.

Replied on Fri, May 05, 2023 at 08:58 AM CST - 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "Survive?! The entitlement class expects much more than that." Right now the entitlement class is trying to empty out the FDIC, just like the strategic reserve.

Replied on Wed, May 10, 2023 at 08:58 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. We all see this everyday for decades now. And all that gets accomplished is the scum sucking bottom feeders keep hauling for these cap rates and zero unity among truckers. I've got over 2 decades and seen it since day one

Replied on Thu, May 11, 2023 at 09:51 AM CST - 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Even the private board is doing it. Trying to starve us out. Getting pretty bad.

Replied on Sat, May 13, 2023 at 07:35 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. How much are y’all getting per bushel of soybeans

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