[merrick4]

Originally Posted by LOAD IT

A driver (myself included at one point in life) would load for a broker that offered an advance over one that didnt. If you see 7 brokers hustling the same load which one has the advantage of getting your truck if they all have good credit and the rates are very close to the same? The one offering the most money for the smallest fee. Some brokers dont offer advances for many reasons, some wont advance if they havent done business with you before. Some are strapped for cash and cant afford to advance. A buddy took a broker load from WA to OH about 3 months ago and they sent the advance through Western Union (that had to be costly). Then they wouldnt honor the quick pay after receiving clean bills unless he picked up another load for them. He picked it up then took it back to the shipper the next day only to find out the load was TRIPLE brokered. Not a good situation for our industry. When I look at my records, not of my advances are on loads of 1000 miles or more. Some O/Os believe that getting the advance is better than hauling for free..ie not getting paid. On that note, I say you shouldnt be loading for a broker that you feel may not pay. However, Ive had truckers load, get the advance and then start threatening this or that. I just remain cool and let the cross state lines then I threaten an interstate crime which is a felony. The load always gets delivered and the trucker always gets paid. I wont use him again though.

Sorry to digress here a bit, but I never ask for advances. Maybe I'm doing something wrong here, but say I got a $1,000 advance, what am I going to do with that? I don't want to be walking around with that. Actually now that I think of it, GMAN mentioned I believe, that he uses that Flying J bank, so I guess if you can deposit it right in the bank that's one thing. Do most O/O take the advances?

[GMAN]

I don't take advances. I run on my own money. The main reason I could see for taking advances if you are under capitalized or question whether you will be paid. One reason many older owner operators or carriers used to take advances is to cover themselves in case the broker failed to pay them. If you check out a broker, that should not be a problem. I would prefer to factor the load than take advances. Most will probably charge a fee for any advances. I do have one broker with whom I do business who nearly always offers advances without a fee. I never take them. I prefer getting all of my money after the load is delivered. I take the bills to this broker and he writes me a check on the spot. He doesn't charge for paying quick, either. This is the way this business used to be. You do the job and you get your money, without any discounts.

[Sonny Pruitt]

not a crime to hold freight for ransome

[LOAD IT]

Originally Posted by Sonny Pruitt

not a crime to hold freight for ransome

Not a crime, but it is a hassle. I did it once, it turned into a huge pissing match insurance companies were involved, police was involved, my trailer was tied up for over 30 days, it was just a mess. I will never do it again and dont recommend anyone else to do it. You may end up in the federal penetentiary. Take the loss and move on!! If you havent been there, you may not want to be, its not worth it.

[Sonny Pruitt]

http://www.tlcouncil.org/qa/qaarch.htm#_Toc458401650

theres some mention in the archives

even the police really don't want to get involved and will keep passing the buck as to who has jusidiction.

but in the end the broker usually winds up paying if he wants to keep his shipper.

[DD60]

What about holding the freight hostage and demanding a higher rate? :lol:

[Sonny Pruitt]

There are incidents like that all the time on the GL meaasage board.
The conventional wisdom is pay the trucker and save the account.
Newly registered brokers fall victim to this by scam artist carriers btw.

[slacker]

Originally Posted by ripp_jr

sorry if this in wrong spot but i was wondering how to become a freight broker so i can broker my own loads for my trucks and do freight brokers call companys to get freight or do the companys call them thanks for the help

First you sell your soul to the devil, the "Father of all lies". :wink:

Actually, I'd lilke to do the same thing ripp, not to become one, but to know how to negotiate. I sometimes get the rate I asked for, but wonder how much money I left on the table

[Bandit102]

I never take advances. I factor 90% of my paper. But the main thing is, I always, always, always credit check a broker that I don't know well or that I haven't hauled for in a while. Brokers come and go just like carriers. One might have a 5,000 credit limit today and be a no buy next monday. In doing this, I have always been paid. Once in a great while, a broker will go 45 days, but not more than once or twice a year. I've not been burned yet, knock on wood.