Originally Posted by GMAN

One of the most important things any trucking company can do is to make certain that you keep your word. If you commit to make a pickup or delivery by a certain time, then you make sure to do it. About 2 months ago one of my trucks broke down in Fresno, CA. We were under a load and I wasn't sure what was wrong with the truck. I had already committed to another load. Rather than not deliver the load or cancel the other load that I had committed, I rented a truck at a cost of about $800/week to fulfill my commitment. The shipper and broker were both extremely happy. Neither could believe that I would rent a truck to fulfill my commitment to them. I was told later that any time I needed a load to let them know. I made little, if any money on these loads, but kept my word and in doing so, gained a substantial amount of goodwill. I will do anything that I can to keep my word. In this case, the problem wasn't my fault. However, I did make a commitment. I felt that it was important for me to keep my word. That is only one example of what I mean by providing extra service. If this had happened to one of the larger carriers, they would likely have either tried to reschedule the load or re-power to suite their schedule rather than that of the shipper. While the problem would have been understandable, sometimes shippers operate on a tight schedule. If the carrier doesn't deliver as expected, then it can cost the shipper time and money.

The larger the carrier the more difficult it is for them to keep all of their commitments. It is much easier for a smaller company to keep their commitments than it is for a company with 1,000+ units. The more people with whom you deal the more difficult it is to maintain control over your business.

Shippers and brokers will sometimes pay a premium for a carrier who is dependable. Most will not waste their time with those who are not reliable.

One thing that I NEVER do is cancel a load once I commit to it. There are some carriers and/or independents who will cancel a load if they find one that pays more. That is bad business. It isn't good for anyone. It is difficult to build a good reputation. It takes little to ruin it. I am not saying that if you cancel a load, once committed that you will ruin your reputation, but it is something that a shipper or broker is likely to remember. But they also remember those who provide excellent service. By providing good service you establish good will and when a really good load comes along, then you will be at the top of the list.

If you provide excellent service you can command a higher rate. If you provide mediocre service then you don't deserve the better rates.

Originally Posted by Professor427

Gman's comments from the other thread:
Things are difficult, but when you are in business, you learn to make adjustments to changing conditions or go out of business. What you and so many others don't realize is that much of what is happening with these high fuel costs is related to the government becoming too involved in our business. Government is NEVER a solution to an economic situation. Most of the time they are actually the cause, either directly or indirectly. The government benefits directly when fuel prices go up. One other thing to keep in mind is that it was the GOVERNMENT who allowed the major oil companies to merge, thus reducing competition. It was the GOVERNMENT who prohibited the oil industry to drill in known rich oil fields, thus reducing our dependency on foreign sources. It was the GOVERNMENT who failed to put a comprehensive energy policy together. It was the GOVERNMENT who would not allow new refineries to be build, thus reducing our capacity to process more oil and possibly reduce prices. I could go on, but I think you see my point. Besides, I don't understand what you really want the government to do about fuel prices

While I respect Gman's opinion that government involvement has made matters worse, it still wouldn't change the global demand and the shrinking supply. And without trying to hijack this thread, government does and should have a role that speaks to a country's environmental well-being, not just its economic needs. What would be better for all of us - economically and environmentally - would be to reduce our dependence on oil.
So what can truckers do? To steal part of Twilight Flyer's message: reduce idling and slow down. You'll save money and reduce demand/dependence on foreign oil, while reducing the impact on the environment.
I suppose I should at least acknowledge that the handful of parked rigs that participated in the "strike" at least produced less nitrogen oxide for one day, so something good did come out it, however small that contribution may have been.

Originally Posted by Orangetxguy

That is the entire reason for quality service!



Ya nailed that one goooooood Mike!

Originally Posted by Professor427

Orangtxguy said: And..Professor...you being Canadian as you are....you don't really want the US reducuing it's oil imports all that much...we pay for a big portion of your medical benefits...what there are of them.

The top sources of US crude oil imports for January were Canada (1.944 million barrels per day)
Canada remained the largest exporter of total petroleum in January, exporting 2.586 million barrels per day to the United States, which is an increase from last month (2.360 thousand barrels per day).
We are also the U.S. largest trading partner, and have been for decades (although, once again, the emerging Chinese economy is a close second).

I never thought of American consumption of Canadian oil as being the key economic factor in our national health care system but if that's the case, we thank you, all 33 million of us who receive every kind of medical care available, without being forced to sell our homes or lose our retirement funds. But this thread isn't about Canada's national health care system, nor do I care to debate it here.

The reality is that competition amongst major oil producers wouldn't have changed the other economic realities of a free-falling US dollar: increased speculation as a result of traders losing faith in U.S. currency (many oil-producing countries now demand payments only in Euros), moving their capital to commodities like crude oil and gold, and increased demand for crude oil that will outstrip supply capabilities within 20 years.

Originally Posted by DD60

Some shippers will pay more for better service but there are also a lot of others who just want their freight moved at the cheapest rate possible regardless of who is hauling it. Finding the ones that pay for quality instead of quantity is a challenge.