Rates to and from BC

[tasuinam]

I have drivers putting chains on / off multiple times during a BC/MB/ON load - they are compensated extra during Dec/Jan for this - hence the rise in rates, plus fuel...
I have however not moved my ENTIRE capacity to those lanes

 

[SCLBC]

Who was the broker?
Maybe being on their DNU list isn't such a bad thing ?!?!?!?!

George from Trans X sent this email....

 

[Freight Broker]

I don't find fault with anyone who is charging market rates.. that's business.. and if the market is 12K for 850 miles then so be it. Just make sure that's the market or else you risk alienating your customers. Everyone in business understands supply and demand..

 

[artmax]

George from Trans X sent this email....

LOL I have Trans X in DNU because of George. The man threatened to place me in DNU if I didn't quote lower.

 

[loaders]

I don't find fault with anyone who is charging market rates.. that's business.. and if the market is 12K for 850 miles then so be it. Just make sure that's the market or else you risk alienating your customers. Everyone in business understands supply and demand..

But in this case, is it really supply and demand as we all know it? Is there really a severe shortage of available trucks which would rightfully drive up the price? Or is it a type of collusion, where the participating parties act in concert together to increase rates? If trucks have to run addition miles to access open highways, then fine, increase the rates accordingly. If drivers take longer to complete some routes due to detours, single lane, etc., then fine, increase the rates accordingly. What is disappointing to see is some parties jacking up rates for no reason other than…right now they can. If rates in and out of B.C. were unrealistically low prior to this disaster then sure, maybe it is time for an upward adjustment, but is this the right way and the right time to achieve that?

 

[SCLBC]

But in this case, is it really supply and demand as we all know it? Is there really a severe shortage of available trucks which would rightfully drive up the price? Or is it a type of collusion, where the participating parties act in concert together to increase rates? If trucks have to run addition miles to access open highways, then fine, increase the rates accordingly. If drivers take longer to complete some routes due to detours, single lane, etc., then fine, increase the rates accordingly. What is disappointing to see is some parties jacking up rates for no reason other than…right now they can. If rates in and out of B.C. were unrealistically low prior to this disaster then sure, maybe it is time for an upward adjustment, but is this the right way and the right time to achieve that?

Sure, but calling disgusting and deplorable (part of the email, but was not shared) isn't really called for because you don't agree with the rates. Either way, there are many brokers, carriers, and customers offering crazy rates right off the bat just to secure trucks, so sure there are a select few that are asking for insane rates but from what I see there are a lot of people desperate that are willing to pay anything to secure capacity and that's what's driving the market.

 

[artmax]

If rates in and out of B.C CANADA. were unrealistically impossible low prior to this disaster then sure, maybe it is time for an upward adjustment, but is this the right way and the right time to achieve that?

Is there ever a right way or a right time?

A spot load appears in the emails from three separate "pure-play" brokerages. I bid with all three at varying rates; you know science.

Usually, the highest reasonable bid wins. I quote let's say 1500 this load with X, 1600 with Y, and 1700 with Z; believe it or not, most of the time Z will call back with the tender in hand. Makes you wonder what X and Y quoted to win the business.

Listen if you stress test a system and you start to notice that the weakest link is the human element; that means your system is built backward.

 

[Freight Broker]

... On the other hand, there is a particular brokerage out there that is offering up stupid sums of money to get their loads moved. Why would I (as a carrier) not point my excess capacity in their direction, even if you and I have a stand up relationship for the rest of the year?
I get it that carriers that move all their capacity in that direction at this time of year are just going to be short timers in the industry.

I had a very nice carrier call me some time ago to tell me that she would have to place her trucks with someone else who had similar loads to mine but that paid $800.00 more than mine did. She even said she was sorry! I told her that no apologies were necessary.. we were still friends and good to go any time she wants to come back. And she did come back to me eventually, and we still work well together. It's just business.. most of us understand that sometimes we have the primo loads and sometimes the other guy does.. It all works out in the wash.

 

[Thefriendlybroker1]

I had a very nice carrier call me some time ago to tell me that she would have to place her trucks with someone else who had similar loads to mine but that paid $800.00 more than mine did. She even said she was sorry! I told her that no apologies were necessary.. we were still friends and good to go any time she wants to come back. And she did come back to me eventually, and we still work well together. It's just business.. most of us understand that sometimes we have the primo loads and sometimes the other guy does.. It all works out in the wash.

I agree with what you are all saying . The rates do need to be higher year round and taking advantage of the high rates right now, while to some degree ( rates of 18000.00 ) does seem excessive, I just hope that come the next 10 months, we don't hear any complaints about low freight rates ( I'm talking 2.30 mile min ) as my sympathy just won't be there now where it always was in the past

 

[GabMTL]

I agree with what you are all saying . The rates do need to be higher year round and taking advantage of the high rates right now, while to some degree ( rates of 18000.00 ) does seem excessive, I just hope that come the next 10 months, we don't hear any complaints about low freight rates ( I'm talking 2.30 mile min ) as my sympathy just won't be there now where it always was in the past

no more sympathy !!

 

[Michael Ludwig]

I had a very nice carrier call me some time ago to tell me that she would have to place her trucks with someone else who had similar loads to mine but that paid $800.00 more than mine did. She even said she was sorry! I told her that no apologies were necessary.. we were still friends and good to go any time she wants to come back. And she did come back to me eventually, and we still work well together. It's just business.. most of us understand that sometimes we have the primo loads and sometimes the other guy does.. It all works out in the wash.

I've been in that situation a number of times over the years. Here's how I manage it ...
If you and I are doing long term regular business together, you'll continue to get my trucks at the "contract" rate even if the market spikes at $800.00 more a load. All peaks have valleys. When that valley comes, I'll still expect you and your customer to continue to load my trucks at the "contract" rate. But, if you and/or your customer ask me me to discount my rates during that valley, I'll ask you to remember how you were treated during the peak. If your memory is good, we'll continue to do business. If your memory is not so good, you and your customer will never see another one of my trucks again at the "contract" rate.
Over 40+ years I've had way more successes than failures with the tactic that long term reasonable business is way better, and far more profitable over the long run, than chasing the ever elusive spot market.

 

[tasuinam]

I've been in that situation a number of times over the years. Here's how I manage it ...
If you and I are doing long term regular business together, you'll continue to get my trucks at the "contract" rate even if the market spikes at $800.00 more a load. All peaks have valleys. When that valley comes, I'll still expect you and your customer to continue to load my trucks at the "contract" rate. But, if you and/or your customer ask me me to discount my rates during that valley, I'll ask you to remember how you were treated during the peak. If your memory is good, we'll continue to do business. If your memory is not so good, you and your customer will never see another one of my trucks again at the "contract" rate.
Over 40+ years I've had way more successes than failures with the tactic that long term reasonable business is way better, and far more profitable over the long run, than chasing the ever elusive spot market.

Agreed - also the other side of the equation - if drivers don't feel safe going somewhere then let them be - do not offer more$$$$$ and then regret it -

 

[dad2andrew]

I've been in that situation a number of times over the years. Here's how I manage it ...
If you and I are doing long term regular business together, you'll continue to get my trucks at the "contract" rate even if the market spikes at $800.00 more a load. All peaks have valleys. When that valley comes, I'll still expect you and your customer to continue to load my trucks at the "contract" rate. But, if you and/or your customer ask me me to discount my rates during that valley, I'll ask you to remember how you were treated during the peak. If your memory is good, we'll continue to do business. If your memory is not so good, you and your customer will never see another one of my trucks again at the "contract" rate.
Over 40+ years I've had way more successes than failures with the tactic that long term reasonable business is way better, and far more profitable over the long run, than chasing the ever elusive spot market.

That's how I've always run it when I was brokering loads out. Only seems fair, especially for a long term relationship, or a current short term that will lead towards long term. It does work both ways though, don't ask for more than the "contract" rate either. Back scratching goes a long way, but it seems to be dwindling especially with certain area codes though.

Does the same theory apply to waiting time though? I think it does/should.

 

[artmax]

no more sympathy !!

I agree with what you are all saying . The rates do need to be higher year round and taking advantage of the high rates right now, while to some degree ( rates of 18000.00 ) does seem excessive, I just hope that come the next 10 months, we don't hear any complaints about low freight rates ( I'm talking 2.30 mile min ) as my sympathy just won't be there now where it always was in the past

Kids are selling NFT/JPG pictures online for 65000USD and you're all getting ready to slice & dice a trucker and his dependants over pennies on the dollar? OK it's not like we are biting into your money; just quote higher. When were running empty were you losing sleep?

Can I know your brokerage MC?

I talked to a Transplace executive with 30 years of experience, and he advised me that he doesn't know why rates have gone up in the last decade. He's part of the umbrella of brokerages that tries to cover Boston deliveries for around 3/m calling it a premium. He's never seen the inside of a truck or been in a trailer yard. So I am left wondering how could he ever accurately price the work that he's responsible for dealing with?

 

[shayne]

Market rate is regulated by supply and demand as long as people are willing to pay it we will keep quoting it

bc to gta pays 15 k usd any day until further notice
bc to mtl pays 17 k usd any day until further notice

these rates are here to stay


the supply chain is officially broken

 

[BIGGE]

Received an email from a broker today:

".....However, to those carriers asking for 200, 300 and even 400% increases to market rates in and out of BC. You will be placed on the DO NOT USE list and our relationship will be terminated...."

I was wondering when this would happen - as a carrier yes I have seen an increase in cost - some drivers will not go to BC and some cannot go thru the US - we already pay extra to a driver doing miles in BC. So yes I have raised the rate a bit - for example to cover my cost to pay the driver extra - I must agree that $12,000 for 850 odd miles is not acceptable... any thoughts...

Do these guys pay for the truck to sit for a week waiting for the road to open? I doubt it. Taking loads in and out of BC inside Canada is a risk for the carrier. They have to pay for that risk. Let us know the name of the broker so we can put them on the do not use list.