Hotshot Connect Forum :: CD Users... probs getting paid???

Tony

We have all had these problems... Getting paid along the terms of our confirmations. There have even been a few times that I personally have received confirmations that state 'COD', and after loaded and heading down the road receive a call saying the load was posted as COD in error. There have actually been quite a few actually. The borker promises they will send out a check immediately. But since we're already down the road, there isn't much choice except to bite our tongue and hope to get paid.

Then theres the forever delays in receiving express codes from comcheck payments... fax in paperwork after a Monday delivery and still have to call asking about payment for the whole week following. I understand faxing paperwork on Friday and possibly missing cutoff time... but they are in their office and answering phones or calling you to check status, so why not pay the carrier?

Anyway, the best attention I have gotten was to start actually using C-D ratings. As you (probably) know, a negative rating does not show to other carriers/brokers until after 10 days to give time for resolving the problem.
It seems like Guerrilla warfare to post ratings in order to attempt getting paid... but its not. Mechanisms like ratings are put in place for a reason. Since we really have no recourse other than these ratings, I use them.

I give the contracted amount of time for payment and even sometimes give an additional day or so beyond that just to make sure they have had the opportunity. But then I post a single 'non-payment' rating along with a message through 'Click to Send Email to xxxxxxx' stating politely that their payment was missed and that this rating may be revised when payment is received. Oh boy do the calls start coming in. Only about 10% of the time do they get into heated debates, but typically the borker is calling you with an express-code for comcheck. Sometimes they ask you to remove the negative rating first, which I respond with...
"I have already given you opportunity to pay as contracted. This is not holding your rating hostage, but you are now attempting to hold my Payment as hostage for a positive rating."

Sometimes the borker will do something totally off-the-wall and post a rating against you. The funny thing is what they put for the comment...
I have one that put down 'payment issue' in their own rating to my company. How is it even possible that they can have a payment issue? when did I start paying them for hauling their cars?

So my 0.02 has been spoken. We all know just how ruthless a broker can be and how they like to try to keep our hard earned money. I say use the tools we have at our disposal and give them something else to keep an eye on.

Tom Cobb · Site Admin

Good info Tony.

This the kind of info about brokers and shippers that is needed. It would hurt a thing if you have consistant problems with one of them to post the brokerage name. Be careful though that you gave them ample opportunity and have the facts straight before posting their name.

sshewins

Duh factor here... Whats CD? Certificate of Deposit? Compact Disc?

bth9461

CD is Central Dispatch, a car load board. Most people hauling cars use this site.

Never had the problem of a switch on the COD, now with that said, I will be watching for that.

Bad broker they owe me $590 dollars and their rating has been falling the past several months. Don't haul for these crooks, they will not pay you.

Trans Logic out of Bad Axe, MI there is another Broker out of Bad Axe Mi, so don't confuse them, Great Lakes, All their loads are COD, for the full amount, then you pay them, talk about Hauler friendly. Trans Logic will lie to you straight up.

I Intend to visit their office soon, then sue in small claims court and file on their bond. Also I will be calling CD and complaining, all of you should to, to get them removed from the board.

Brian

LBZ

I kept watching Trans Logic ratings plummet on C.D. & then saw in another ad they were hiring! Wonder if their own drivers are leaving for the same reason(s)?

Hurry up and get into their office Brian, this economy combined with union issues may has a lot of large auto carriers in a pinch. Not knocking the unions but remember reading about some strike(s) earlier this spring/summer.

bth9461

Car traffic and rates are down the tube on CD right now. Many sub .50 per mile, saw a .19 pm one also. Total cars the last 2 days about 6500 posted, seem to remember Jerry posting that the car traffic was around 13,000 at one time, I think this past spring. Any way 6500 must be a low number for CD.

Brian

Phil

Just a couple of thoughts here. #1 Tony, you lack experience. I am not kicking you, just trying to open some eyes. If you have a confirmation that states the load is COD, then you collect on delivery, or DO NOT drop the car. If you drop that car, then according to your confirmation, you have been payed. This could be the root of your collection problems. I have recieved those calls also, but I got payed on DELIVERY, as the confirmation stated. Some brokers will try to change things up, dont let them, its B.S. Plain and simple, if your confirmation says COD and you drop the car without getting payed, you dont have a leg to stand on to collect your money if the broker decides not to pay you. Keeping your mouth shut, is the wrong thing to do, call me next time, and Ill tell you how to handle the situation. BELIEVE ME, when you threaten to put a car in storage, cash comes flyin. Cool

#2, As far as your negeative rating on CD. You can fight the rating. I have never had a negetive rating, but the broker cant just give you a negative, because you gave them one. They have to be able to back up there rating. Just contact CD and get the dispute started. A negative rating will keep you from getting some good customers/brokers to work with.

CD rates are in the pooper right now. Too many trucks, car sales down 35%, do the math. There are a lot of brokers fighting over the same cars, and yes A LOT of brokers have stopped paying bills. They are blaming there problems on "accounting errors". You have to pay attention to the RECENT ratings posted on the broker. Phlash logistics appears to have a decent rating in the mid 80's, but when you look at there ratings, 90% of the negatives are in the last month for non payment. DANGER!!!!!

Things are tough right now in the car industry, and its only going to get worse.

bth9461

I was in a Auto Auction picking up a car for McNutt in PA, Mahiem was over flowing with cars. The lot guy was disappointed when I was only there for one. Lease returns must be building inventory on the used market. Cars coming off the road and much less going back on the market.

Whats bad for the Auto industry also affects everything else, things are going south in the LTL market too. Much of it is people holding their breath over this election, I hope. November/December have always been good months for me (last 3 years). If things continue to slow after the election, this really looks bad for the new year.

I would hate to be starting up now, with no or few contacts. I think if things get worse many of us will be going out of business.

Brian

LBZ

Off topic... There is some debate moving around that part of the market response of late is that the wrong guy is leading the polls & pushing forth higher capital gains taxes. What sort of place will this be if no one can invest in a sunken market & push things forward?

As for getting paid? I have only had a change once from a cod to the guy wanted to pay with a c.c. and the broker called to ask if it was ok & they revised the confirmation via c.d. The payment was mailed within three days after delivery was confirmed. To note: I had not yet loaded that vehicle when they called so they gave me the option of passing on it if need be.

If a broker has the q.p. option listed on, ask them what their time frame for that is as that can vary by several days. Most of the majors are pretty reliable.

bth9461

I went to Trans logic's office today and met with their VP, he was sorry for the delay, and paid the bills they owed me for. I will keep you posted when the check clears.

Brian

LBZ

Their approval rating is now @ 50.1% Could be the first I have seen dip below!

bth9461

Here is their story. They are a large company about 70 trucks with 50 being company owned. They had a partner that instructed the accounting Dept. to not pay the brokered loads (small guys like me). They were having trouble with cash flow, I think they have been starving for full loads for their big rigs. Anyway I guess the bad partner has been bought out and they are going to get caught up. I hope this is true for the other guys who don't live close by, they have bills to pay also. I hope they get going in the right direction for all their employees, the company is in a small town. I saw maybe a dozen cars in their parking lot in front of the building. I think this company has been hit hard by the auto trade down turn, and some bad ownership decisions. If things don't work out many people in that small town will loose their jobs.

I think I embarrassed the hell out of them by showing up in person.

Last year I hauled 2-3 cars no trouble, they actually paid fast as I remember. They were a good company once.

Brian

Tom Cobb · Site Admin

There is something about face to face talk that unnerves people. Especially if they are caught with their drawers down. It suddenly becomes a real person rather than a voice over the phone or a letter. Good job.

bth9461

Person to Person does seem to get a lot more response. I was profesional,polite, but very firm. It only took about 20 minutes.

I sure hope they get the others paid.

Brian

Tom Cobb · Site Admin

I do to. It is a shame that you can't depend on companies to do the right thing.