"Why didn't you call before delivery?"

Posted by Rothar13@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 205 comments

Customer: We never got a call that you were coming for delivery Me: That's cause it's not on the bill. When you place your order, you need to tell the shipper that the driver must call before delivery. C: I don't place the orders Why do I always get this pushback? Have run into a bunch of customers who do this over and over, it's always the same story.

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205 Comments

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HeywoodJaBlowMe123@reddit

You always get that push back because you keep saying the same stuff lol. “We never got a call that you were coming for delivery” “Do you guys want it today?” “Yes…” “Okay 👍🏻” I’m a company driver, 99% of the time they can take it up with my dispatcher as to why they didn’t get X call or Y call or a Z heads up, blah blah blah. Not my problem.

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Strostkovy@reddit

Go back in your truck and call them

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HeywoodJaBlowMe123@reddit

🤣🤣🤣

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DblDtchRddr@reddit

That’s why I love being hourly. Oh, you weren’t expecting it? Ok, hold on. Go sit in my air conditioned truck, text my dispatcher, and soak up some free time fucking around on my phone.

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stakeandegg@reddit

I'm here now. You want to unload now or you want me to mark it as refused?

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hardzoup@reddit

As the driver my version of customer service is not damaging the freight and being on time. Not calling ahead to find out if they are emotionally prepared to get the stuff that was ordered.

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Puzzleheaded_Nerve@reddit

I work receiving at a hotel. I was pretty peeved last week when 53' trailer showed up without any way for use to offload the cargo at a dock that isn't big enough to turn around in. Felt bad for the driver. Took a while to get a hold of the shipper and broker to resolve that. Not getting a call ahead of time isn't the drivers fault. But is sure does fuck up his day when logistics aren't confirmed.

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aramil248@reddit

Once I delivered something that had no right to be in a van. It was supposed to be on a tarped flatbed (unsure on the name currently). Was trailer length metal frame for ac systems

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OverSizeLife@reddit

If it was a frame of AC systems, it wouldn't have been tarped

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unresolved-madness@reddit

I'm not a trucker I'm an AC guy. The frame he is referring to is called a curb adapter. It's basically to convert from existing ductwork up into a different design of a new AC package unit. It has insulation inside of it which can get damaged and rendered useless if it.gets wet.

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aramil248@reddit

It was something they didn't want wet. Guessing was cheaper shipping in a box

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OverSizeLife@reddit

Lol they're idiots then, if it's for an AC system it's gonna be wet most of the time.

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NotEvenLion@reddit

Even if it's indoors its entire life it will be wet.

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wrongusernametryagin@reddit

I ship anthracite for water filtration, and some customers want it tarped. I just tell drivers I don't care if it's tarped, but it's on you if it says to tarp it on the BOL

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Mrstucco@reddit

That kind of makes sense if it’s for drinking water filtration or even aquaculture. You don’t want that stuff covered in road salt, brake dust, exhaust and all of the other crap that things traveling down the highway get covered in.

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Chrisp825@reddit

Just like my wife

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Noxious14@reddit

I had this but the opposite-a full 53’ reefer for one 300lb pallet.

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Altruistic-Cable-489@reddit

Was this AC unit 53’ long? Or did you mean something different. I could see it being possible to load a 27’ pallet onto a van but something that is 53’ would need an extraordinary amount of extra dock space. Most cross docks are barely 75-100’ wide.

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monosodium_playahate@reddit

Curtainside or Conestoga if it’s basically a van with roll up sides, if that helps. Or did you mean just a tarped highboy or stepdeck?

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8Captcrunch8@reddit

Hahahahha i have done that. Years back i delivered giant freezer food things to a DolGen in the works. They called a flatbed wrecker to pull them out so they could unload with no dock.

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keytiri@reddit

I picked up one pallet at place that was very difficult for 53’s, basically had to blindside and block the whole street… they had some kind of contract with my company, but the person I spoke to there didn’t understand why they only got big trucks; all we have are 53’s. I could’ve maybe done it, would’ve taken forever, but instead I parked on curb and they forklifted a pallet jack and the pallet into the back. I unfortunately parked facing slightly uphill and it was too heavy for me to move to the nose on my reefer’s grooved floor (would’ve come in the other way if I’d known); the forklift guy had to get in and do it for me.

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NotEvenLion@reddit

Screw that, why rip off your mudflap because they don't have a suitable dock.

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NotEvenLion@reddit

Hahaha the people who got the business probably couldn't have been clearer too. "Sir just the trailer alone is 53 ft long. Are you ok with taking down fences and will you be there to make sure there are no cars in the way?" "Yes I'll be there". "Ok the driver just arrived can you help direct.him in please?". "oh my God, driver is there? Why didn't you tell me! I'll be there in 20 mins to an Hour"

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Mindes13@reddit

I did that receiving thing to at a resort and there was a dock with turn around but it was always the surprise "here's the shipment for next week's trade show where do you want it?" Fucking no where. We have no room because meeting spaces were being setup for other events and our package cage was tiny. Of course the event manager/she's never knew anything about it. Fun times.

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NotEvenLion@reddit

Newly built hotels and and conferences at hotels are a nightmare. Convention centers can be even worse, but usually guys will want to go there just to see all the setup goin on inside. And it's not everyday you get to pull your truck right onto center court at TD Garden.

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NotEvenLion@reddit

Yeah this right here is the most annoying party of trucking. Too many people in between the unloaders and the truckers. Most trucking companies(unless LTL) are No touch deliveries. Meaning we will break the seal under the receiver's supervision, but that's it. Everything else.is up to the receiver. We're a small company so I usually have the time to give ethe receiver a call and have them talk to the shopper overseas about how they should unload. But damn why doesn't everyone just use pallets(I know I know $$$$

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theOperentice@reddit

Devils advocate here, as a general contractor we’ve told dispatch to have the drivers call before delivery on EVERYTHING that’s shipped, yet we still don’t receive a call 7/10 times even though the phone number is on the ticket. I got so tired of going back to work at 6pm or in the middle of lunch that I started rejecting trucks if they don’t deliver within specified delivery times. Just saying it’s not always the customer

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NotEvenLion@reddit

Here's what you should do, next time you get a truck ask the driver for their dispatchers number and just tell them the deal. I suspect that Whatever material you are getting is purchased by you maybe even direct from supplier, but unless the place where the material is has their own trucks to deliver there is someone else in the middle getting your info from the supplier and giving it to the trucker. That's where so much gets lost in translation. We have customers we have been working with for 20 years and the contact name is someone who retired before we even started. So much of this is human error and the actual driver is the one with the least current info literally just being told to go from point A to point B.

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SirDigbyridesagain@reddit

On time? Wtf is this "on time"? The load gets there when it gets there, sometimes late, sometimes a day early. Trifling on time bitches.

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NotEvenLion@reddit

Container trucking is a little better, but only a little. The cargo comes in clumps anyway. Still up to the mercy of the ships though and just because they loaded on time overseas doesn't mean it's not going to get here a month late.

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hardzoup@reddit

I hauled containers for 8 years. On time pfff. Be happy its not bobbing around the pacific right now.

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NotEvenLion@reddit

On time for containers is just the measure of when it arrives at the port to when it arrives at the customer. A week before the ship they are looking then as soon as it lands they want it on the last free day even though the ship was already 2 weeks late. Or the ship is 2 weeks late and lands but no customs and no freight release until a couple days later. Just annoying, but still better than OTR if you ask me

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VoltaicSketchyTeapot@reddit

>Not calling ahead to find out if they are emotionally prepared to get the stuff that was ordered. I'm on the receiving end. Calling ahead of time ensures that we get our forklift driver to stick around for you (he's also the delivery driver). If you don't want to drive the forklift yourself, call. The cool part is that most of the time we are just the receiver, not the company that placed the original order. We don't care if you waste your time and money because someone didn't do their due diligence. We didn't know you were coming until you showed up.

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bk775@reddit

Be careful who you give that ultimatum to if you really dont want the driver running your forklift.

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NotEvenLion@reddit

Be verreryyy berry careful. About half the OO I work with are forklift certified. We could absolutely slash your dock times if you want.

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hardzoup@reddit

Amen. I drove the truck. I can drive the forklift.

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NotEvenLion@reddit

Woah woah but that's against warehouse policy man! You have to be certified at our facility where we have a forklift 10x heavier and it's only got 3 wheels. If anyone else tries to use it you'll go right through the floor of the trailer! 2 hours later, knock on the window, "we went through the bottom of the trailer, must've been all rotten out"

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maibuddha@reddit

I don’t do OTR but aren’t there like… appointment times

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NotEvenLion@reddit

I can't imagine you're getting a delivery appt before you're loaded and I'm sure the same goes for loading appt. And I think a lot of it is the dispatchers wait and wait and wait for something tk be ready neat where you have an empty so they don't have to pay you bobtail miles.

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AwardImaginary@reddit

I've taken a shitload of deliveries needing a forklift that I just don't have sitting on site, which is why I need at minimum, 45 minutes heads up that a truck is coming. There's a multitude of reasons people need a heads up especially if they request it

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gremus18@reddit

There’s a multitude of reasons people need a heads up ~~especially~~ ONLY if they request it. Fixed it

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spyder7723@reddit

I am so glad so many truckers share this view. Makes it really easy to justify to my customers why my 30% higher rates than the competition is worth it. A 48 hour precall takes 2 minutes l.

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ChaceEdison@reddit

Yeah, this was my biggest selling feature as an owner/operator. Keeping my customers updated as to what was going on was a huge part of it.

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NotEvenLion@reddit

Yeah for new customers we have a habit of checking the Google maps to make sure a container and sleeper can even fit, and then calling the customer to see how they are going to unload. If the answer isn't with a machine for pallets or at least 5 guys for a floor load we give them warehouses or riggers in the area. 9 times out of 10 paying to have it done right is going to save them money on either detention time, layover fee, or the worst case redelivery fee if they can't get it unloaded in 1 go. Everyone thinks their way is best until you tell them exactly how much you are going to charge them to do it their way.

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dickhole666@reddit

Lol, google maps...we built a new facility 7 YEARS AGO and its still just a cornfield on google...

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NotEvenLion@reddit

You can still add the address!! If you drop a pin on the field and make it missing address

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budoucnost@reddit

“To find out if they are emotionally prepared to get the stuff that was ordered” Made my day

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PNW20v@reddit

I just see it as looking out for yourself. No call and they don't have an available forklift? Cool. Now you get to sit and wait on your time.

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Slippery-98@reddit

Lol @ "emotionally prepared" well said

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fishpaste2132@reddit

lol to emotionally prepared

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NotEvenLion@reddit

I just say talk to my dispatcher, here's his number. They usually just make me wait just long enough to get it loaded before detention starts. I should start telling them to talk to their purchaser.

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nastyzoot@reddit

It's not a service we offer. You can call the shipper or broker, but we do not offer that service.

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Altruistic-Cable-489@reddit

I use this when someone expects me to haul a 2000# pallet up their 45° driveway with no help. They always say, “They paid for it to be delivered into their garage.” I tell them they got scammed by a shipper and we only do curb side delivery. I try to inform them not to trust shippers when it comes to those kind of claims. If they’re nice and willing to help me, I’ll go the extra mile though.

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nastyzoot@reddit

God, I do not miss LTL. "If they're nice" means $20-$50. That IS a service I provide lol.

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Altruistic-Cable-489@reddit

Damn, I’ve only gotten that once in my life. I do LTL in a very rural part of fly over America. It’s rare to hear of a driver getting a tip like that.

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Educational_Ebb7175@reddit

>If they’re nice and willing to help me, I’ll go the extra mile though. This. And it applies EVERYWHERE. If someone is pleasant to deal with, and seems to be kind/caring, I'm WAY more likely to do a bit extra to help them out. The moment you act rude to me though, you've guaranteed you will get exactly the minimum service required, and not an ounce more.

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VosKing@reddit

Thing is, customer who wants the precall cares 100%. Person at the shipping company taking your call, he cares alot about how much you care, I'd say 90% anyways. Driver who pics your freight up from shipper, this is where the care drops down to 60%. Once the load gets transfered at the terminal, the dock guy, he cares alot less, probably down to 20%. Then finally the guy delivering it to you cares about 5%. This is the supply chain. Only you care 100%.

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MajorHymen@reddit

What are you delivering to? I’m generally going to DCs but I’ve done a ton of smaller one off stores. I’ve never been asked to call before or asked about it at the receiver.

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Rothar13@reddit (OP)

This is a local contracting firm that in the past had someone on site or a guy they could call who'd be there in a few minutes. They've got a warehouse in back and a small office where 3 ladies work.

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Rothar13@reddit (OP)

This got me thinking: in this age of equality, how is it that when you deliver to a business that has a forklift and 1-3 women that work inside, they all assume you understand why no one on site is forklift certified.

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MajorHymen@reddit

Tell them you honking the horn when you show up is your delivery announcement

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Ill-Woodpecker1857@reddit

Yea, shits dumb. Why you order something and get mad when someone comes to deliver it?

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Strostkovy@reddit

We had a driver deliver a robot cell two days before they were supposed to (looks like he and another driver were tag teaming it to get more loads moved) and the rental equipment for unloading it wasn't available until the date we reserved it. It weighed around 10k pounds and was 16' long. We ended up unloading it with a pallet jack, a 5k forklift, and a 2" round bar and saved a ton on rigging.

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Aaron351@reddit

I’ll bite, because this post is a snapshot of so many interactions I’ve had on the receiving end of trucking. My most common issue is with a lack of communication between whateverthefuck and the driver. Quite often when we have an issue, the driver never got forwarded any of the special instructions, the correct shipping address, phone numbers, etc.. If I provide satellite snapshots and draw maps and give explicit instructions, it’s not my fault the drive didn’t get them. We are both the victim on that deal, some middle man couldn’t be bothered and fucked everyone in the process. (This is often for those single pallet random carrier shipments). Second is with drivers not calling in advance and my number and instructions are on the ticket. This is mainly an issue when dealing with the shipping company directly myself, and I have all the same paperwork the trucker has so I can see my number and instructions. Our shop is empty during the day, while we are out on a job somewhere. If I don’t have 24hrs notice that you are going to deliver something, we may not even be in the state when you roll up expecting to be offloaded. Sometimes we may be at the shop, but we are locked up like Fort Knox and there’s no windows or doors for you to walk in or us to see out. All too often we will hang around the shop waiting for a call from a trucker only to get an email saying “delivery attempt failed, business closed” at the end of the day. Another major issue is when the driver doesn’t call, and the address on their paperwork is the BILLING address and not the delivery address that can be several towns away sometimes. Finally I’ll get a call saying “I’m here” and we are sitting in a wide open construction site saying “no you’re not…what address do you have and why didn’t you call ahead to confirm everything like the paperwork says to?”. Just sharing my side of this scenario, not pointing fingers at OP. Sounds like he’s screwed by a middle man this time.

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hardzoup@reddit

I used to deliver to construction companies. At that job it seemed like i was always on the phone. Im leaving i call for directions and eta. i get there, where EXACTLY do you want it. Im doing grocery now, calling ahead is a waste of breath.

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Good_Sailor_7137@reddit

Remember that many companies have driver facing cameras and policies that say NO PHONE USE. Logic would say that the driver manager would then do the calling. But the "I don't have time for that" issue will come up on both parties. Lol yeah

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nobd22@reddit

Dock space, specialized receiving crew for the load...dock space. Not saying it's y'all's fault if the paper work don't say it but there is plenty of reasons why we need a heads up when y'all on the way.

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Bean-Swellington@reddit

Those all sound like great reasons to request a pre-delivery call at the time the order is placed

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OverSizeLife@reddit

It's not always known when the delivery will be made at the time of ordering. In some of my loads a product can take 6 months to 3 years before it even ships. By then, no one even remembers its getting shipped except the trucking company hauling it and then it's up to the driver to reach out to the consignee to advise on delivery date.

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nobd22@reddit

Right... I have product coming in I know for a fact we have to stage equipment, staging space, and certain employees to unload it. I request dock appointments and call aheads for these to make things easier for everyone...including the driver and their time. If the BOL says call ahead and driver doesn't call ahead and has to wait for us to do that shit...that's on them and I really don't feel bad at that point. If the paperwork doesn't say it, I tell him to call his dispatch and bitch and at the same time I call my third party and bitch as well so at least the driver knows we tried and do respect their time...

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OverSizeLife@reddit

I've hauled open deck for 90% of my time driving, that 10% was dry van and some refrigerator loads, every load I've hauled for the companies I've driven for it was always a standing suggestion, always call the consignee to make sure they're aware the load is coming and when it'll be there. Especially if you wanna get unloaded asap and not spend a night or more waiting for staging and possibly cranes to unload.

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Good_Sailor_7137@reddit

A crane ? Well, da, everyone knows that needs prestaging. Oh, the overhead crane, that's cool. Why didn't you say so? Last night was a retirement party and everyone is hungover? Well, shit, I don't care, cuz you didn't invite me. Hey, buddy, careful climbing that ladder, I don't want your blood or vomit on my trailer 😉. Everyone is looking at their phones needing recharge and smiling. Hey, driver, want some coffee?

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satchel_of_ribs@reddit

No reason to not make a habit of always calling though.

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nobd22@reddit

Literally said "not y'all's fault if the paperwork doesn't say it"

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NotEvenLion@reddit

If I have a number I'll call, but one major obstacle is that the paperwork the trucker has came from a broker who modified another brokers paperwork who got their paperwork from the customer. And 99% of the time if the phone number changes it's making it to the paperwork the trucker has for at least a year. So quick tip, make sure your facility is listed on Google maps with a good number for receiving!

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Ill-Woodpecker1857@reddit

You ain't wrong. There are plenty of reasons to require appointments. It's especially understandable with cold storage facilities and loads that require rigging crews and such but this should be made absolutely clear on every level which obviously doesn't happen.

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VoltaicSketchyTeapot@reddit

In our case, it's our customers ordering for us to receive. If the shipper doesn't ask our customer to ask us how we can receive it, no one is crossing those ts. Half the time we don't even know that something is coming.

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Appropriate_Fish_451@reddit

Maybe because the shipping office doesn't schedule delivery like it says they will, or they lie, or you tell them you need x size truck or ETA call and they say yep but never follow through. Or they constantly deliver in rain, without an appointment and leave $15,000 of equipment outside. Looking at you, Estes. You too A. Duie Pyle.

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Tallon_raider@reddit

In tanker if you don’t schedule, there is nothing from stopping the driver from billing tons of detention on purpose. I used to bill 8+ hours of detention with these latex deliveries where the customer would always understaff at night. I’d show up at 4:30pm and ride the wave of stupidity and head out at like 5am

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NotEvenLion@reddit

Companies like this are the best. Build a good rapport with the staff on site so everyone wants you there. They'll never tell.

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Wizofsorts@reddit

You can't make an appointment if it's not on the bol. There's a charge for that and if you don't pay you don't get it. It also holds it a day to make the appointment. Customers either complain you didn't make an appointment or you held it up. Kinda like a no win for next day LTL.

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Appropriate_Fish_451@reddit

My issue is NOT with the drivers. It's with the office. I make the orders, when they actually call, I schedule delivery. I do not choose the carrier. I frequently tell the office what I need, and they don't communicate with the drivers or they give me incorrect information. The drivers are great, never had a problem with them.

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i-eat-coochie@reddit

Maybe you should choose the carrier also, the ones that you have the best relationship with.

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Appropriate_Fish_451@reddit

I would if I could. I'm a small business owner. I have some exclusive deals with my suppliers. But, they choose the carrier. I'm growing, rapidly, but I don't yet have a space with a loading dock. I've built more than a few. And maybe I'll have to do it again.

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NotEvenLion@reddit

Yup that's just how it goes. And the huge carriers with way too much bureaucracy to care about 1 customer are the only ones who can win those contracts because they price all the little guys out. It's a real shame and it seems like it's only getting worse with ocean carriers buying up final mile delivery companies too.

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Appropriate_Fish_451@reddit

Name checks out?

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gremus18@reddit

Get a dock then.

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Virel_360@reddit

Queue up the Kevin Sorbo Hercules “disappointed” meme lol https://youtu.be/cdEQmpVIE4A

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LizStone1776@reddit

Exactly my husband holes dry load and it is company policy from his company contractor that the shipment is not undeliverable he must deliver whether the customer is happy or not

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metooeither@reddit

I check Google maps. When I get sent to someone's house, I always call ahead, because it's usually a mom and pop business they are running from their garage, that is suddenly successful enough to need a fucking 53' long trailer load of chemicals 🙄 Then i call work and tell me never send me there again, jfc. I'm teeny, I can't help unload, and I'd feel like shit if I ran over their dog in their driveway with a semi. Fuck sake.

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Imaginary-Bet-3233@reddit

I rather deal with that than having our customers with the company I am with they allow their customers to make copies of your CDL and then they will send you coupons for their product I have gotten Michelin and the nasty red bull

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Styxx1985@reddit

I had a delivery yesterday (4th of July) at 2000hrs, fishy AF since it was the 4th. Called dispatch and asked if it was right, they said yes, asked the shipper if it was right, they said yes. Called the receiver twice, and they said no problem. Showed up, and to no one's surprise they were like, we're closing early and our forklift drivers are not here you'll have to wait till the AM. Luckily they allow overnight parking.

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csimonson@reddit

So you got 12+ hours of detention pay right?

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Riyeko@reddit

I once had someone tell em that my load couldn't be unloaded that day, even though everyone's paperwork and numbers all stated that such and such date and time, is when I was supposed to deliver. I told the guy, well contact your people and I'll contact mine and they can battle it out over email, but I'm not leaving the property until some kind of agreement is made. He agreed and I got pizza (chipped in $20 when they went to pick it up). Took our people damn near 6hrs to figure out wtf to do. I got detention. Warehouse guy said some folks got overtime. Everyone was happy.

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Comfortable-Ear1719@reddit

I have stuff shipped into my facility regularly that isn't manned even part of everyday. I make sure the brokers knew to call so I could wait around or have someone there. Always put it on the BOL, at least twice. If I can I have it painted on the crate or item. 80% of the time I get called hey I'm here! Where do I go? Luckily me or one of my people have been within an hour each time, but eventually we'll be out of state when something shows up. This is with lots of different carriers, van, flatbed, even a couple owner operators. I just try my best to figure out what day things should arrive and sit there all day. Oh well.

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Ultra-InstinctGoku@reddit

As a manager at a receiving warehouse, I can confirm that purchasing and receiving are 2 entirely different departments that rarely communicate as much as they should. At my facility, an appointment time is required, and purchasing is supposed to dictate to the broker that an appointment time is needed to deliver when he places the order. The broker should then work with dispatch to ensure that the appointment time is scheduled. The problem here is that there are too many links in the communication chain. It only takes one person to break the chain, and then no one knows what's going on. Between purchasing, the broker, dispatch, the driver, then finally receiving.. it is very common for at least one person to drop the ball. I've also seen cases where the broker and dispatch straight up lie to drivers about appointment times. I've had people show up with 4:00AM delivery on their paperwork, and we don't even open until 7:00AM.. It's not the drivers fault at all, but it's usually not the people receiving the freights fault either lol. We always try our best to work in surprise deliveries the same day, but scheduled loads always take priority.

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malanthr0pe@reddit

As I don't trust dispatch, I just make a habit of calling customers I've never been to before. Verify entrance location and hours. Saves so much headache.

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R3DGRAPES@reddit

You should call the receiver every time if possible. Let them know you coming, make sure they can take you. If you value your time it’s just common sense to give them your ETA.

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satchel_of_ribs@reddit

No reason not to call ahead. I always do, saves a lot of trouble.

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DUBBZ_757@reddit

no it doesnt lol ive called places and still had issues when i got there

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satchel_of_ribs@reddit

I'd have more issues if I never called so it does save a lot of trouble.

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CaptianBrasiliano@reddit

I deliver water to grocery stores. There's no _time_ There's just a window. We could come anytime between 4PM and 6AM and it's a lot of water pallets sometimes and... they're rarely happy to see us and... yeah. They take all kinds of ridiculous measures to make it as hard for us as possible and hope for a lazy driver that will just take it away. (I guess, is their thinking) They'll not answer the phone. They'll answer but never come back and let us in, then not pick up when you call back... so you go and force your way in, then it's excuses excuses... _We don't know where the key is. No one's here with the alarm code..._ I'll find the key, because I know where they hang it or put it... then I'll pop the door, trip the alarm. Whoops. Eventually, someone magically appears who knew the code after all and turns it off while I'm unloading. Funny how that works. Hey I'm sorry your job sucks but, I drove an 18 wheeler out to East Bum Fuck or into the middle of downtown and my dispatch doesn't wanna hear that this delivery isn't happening. So you're taking this fucking water. One way or the other.

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AAonthebutton@reddit

As an LTL dispatcher, I love you man.

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Prudent_Wishbone_819@reddit

This made me laugh lol 👍

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supercookiemonster2@reddit

That almost sounds like you’re threatening to waterboard them.

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CaptianBrasiliano@reddit

I do have zip ties, a spare t-shirt, and a trailer full of water... I'm materially prepared, at least.

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Simplenipplefun@reddit

Does the rear suspention lower enough to get a good angle to the board?

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supercookiemonster2@reddit

Never know when you’ll need the emergency waterboarding kit.

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Apprehensive_Fault_5@reddit

The only correct answer is "It's not my job to call you, only to drive it here"

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WonderWheeler@reddit

Maybe they need to tell someone in their organization through channels what to do when making an order! Stop claiming its someone else's fault!

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Rothar13@reddit (OP)

I've had this same discussion many times with multiple customers, nothing ever changes. It gets so bat that eventually my default answer is "I could tell how how to fix this, but you didn't listen the last few times so why bother?"

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Nozerone@reddit

What if I told you, the person you talked to that said that more than likely isn't the person responsible for setting up the orders. I'm willing to bet that person is even more annoyed by the person responsible for setting up the orders than you are. Even then it's sometimes not even that person's fault, and is the fault of the middle man between the customer and your company. I've had multiple occasions where the bills I had said nothing about calling before arrival, but the paper work the customer has from setting things up had it.

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Automatic-Reason9649@reddit

Is your company paying your phone bill? No? Guess I’m not using my phone and personal number for work.

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toastyhoodie@reddit

LTL life. “What is it?” Is my most common question. And even if you call, most people have no clue. I go there, and if you’re willing to sign, I drop it off otherwise tomorrow is another day.

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working_class_tired@reddit

Company policy qhere I work is you always call the customer before hand. It makes it simple but in saying that we only deal with 2 customers a day on average.

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Knightbladehd@reddit

Just gotta say do you want it or not ?

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OwlPachinko@reddit

Works like a charm

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chris_gnarley@reddit

Every time

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Halftrack_El_Camino@reddit

You did your part of the job, gettin' paid either way.

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chris_gnarley@reddit

As a local driver, I get this all the time. 99% of my pick ups and deliveries are people going “Huh? Who do you work for again? Do you have a pickup number? Do you have a PO? Do you know the address it’s going to?” Like JFC, I don’t work for your customer service or billing department for fuck sake. I was just told to show up here at a certain time and here I am. Either you know wtf you ordered or what you’re shipping out or I’m dipping out to the next customer

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Alaskan_Tiger@reddit

Had a DOD load the one piece of equipment weight was 25,000 pounds they thought they could move it with a 15,000 pound Clark forklift need to say I was there for a while. The way they unloaded it OSHA would of had a hay day with them

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Alaskan_Tiger@reddit

The ones I love you show up with a 53,000 pound dry container back in from the road then you go to the receiver and they say they don't have a apt for that day and it says on the paperwork from the printer not hand written that its for today so you have to drive back to the yard hate that crap they ordered the stuff and they don't want it why order it then

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EleceedGreed@reddit

I get this sometimes when I deliver windows/sliding doors. They usually have a phone number, but sometimes they don't and they look like I surprised them with the worst gift ever lol.

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Specialist_Usual1524@reddit

Legacy? We never get calls from them. Anderson gets there at 7:15, we ice his cooler, unload his truck and he usually gets a donut.

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EleceedGreed@reddit

That sounds amazing.

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GumbysDonkey@reddit

I tell people all the time it's my first day, or my first week. They get super nice usually after that.

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IceLessTrash2@reddit

Here is the point. I get papers that say pick up X at point A at this date and time. Then drive X to point B by a certain day and time, and do what is required per trailer requirement and receiving instructions. If I am there at point B and all the above is met...... then Here is your shit. If you want a phone call put it in the instructions. I have personally started having them sign a delivery refused form. Once they see that WOW, suddenly they have room. If they do sign, I'm driving off with it. To the closest rest area while calling my broker and starting my refused load detain pay. I typically don't get more than a mile away before my broker is telling me they are ready and to go back.

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dragonagitator@reddit

This is why our dispatchers try to call all new-to-us locations and get the details in advance. It's never on the BOL. I'm in accounting but I used to sit opposite the dispatcher who made those calls all day. She had a set list of questions she'd go through to find out if there was anything weird and then she'd call the driver and relay the relevant info.

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bayygel@reddit

"I don't place them either."

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Cg30sailor@reddit

frequently brokers will say ANYTHING to cover a load. Including telling lies about delivery times and days. Anyone who has ever been to Salinas or Watsonville to pick up produce has heard "its sitting on the dock waiting for you". You arrive, and are told its cooling, or its still in the field.

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danf6975@reddit

Just had a load from a KLLM Broker . Rate con and Broker said 1500 appointment.. BOL. Shipper and receiver all say 1400 appointment. In the very next sentence is $300 rescheduling fee if you are late.

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Asleep-Actuator-7292@reddit

Okay I call bullshit.... I own a small business that ofter places orders that get brought by truck. Every order I place I explicitly tell them that unless we get a call no one will be here to unload the truck. The reason why I want a call is cause I want to help you drivers out. I know you are not getting paid to sit and wait for me to get you unloaded. And I always have paid drivers cash that will help me unload or if they have to wait.

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Rothar13@reddit (OP)

Sorry no, nothing on my copy or the original BOL about calling before delivery. I deliver here about 1/year and in the past they've always called someone if no one was on site. Checked my notes and I've got nothing written down about this customer.

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Crazyghost8273645@reddit

I do a lot of small business work when I did hotshot. You would be shocked how much I heard that and a broker fucked them and me. Sometimes brokers don’t want that direct contact for whatever reason

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Asleep-Actuator-7292@reddit

That is exactly the problem honestly. I don't have a loading dock so I have to basically have my entire crew here or else the driver and me get fucked over. I've unloaded an entire truck on a Friday night by myself cause driver showed up after I sent everyone home. My last hot shot driver, his dispatcher sent me his location every 3 hours with his ETA. It was so nice.

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Crazyghost8273645@reddit

Honestly this so many times. Theirs been so many times where calling lead someone to going the extra mile for me and not calling fucked me But honestly I call every time I get the number

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Asleep-Actuator-7292@reddit

You the man!

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HeywoodJaBlowMe123@reddit

I’m just curious, Was the driver aware that his dispatcher was sending out his location every 3 hours lol? I mean it sounds cool, but at the same time, might be a little creepy if the driver is unaware.

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Unexpectedly_Useful@reddit

It's a normal practice by some companies. When you have GPS tracking on with a company then the dispatchers can do whatever they want with that info. They own the equipment not the driver.

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Asleep-Actuator-7292@reddit

The guy didn't speak a word of english. He was Russian dodging conscription(google translated) that was my understanding. His dispatcher spoke Russian to him. I think it was honestly his dispatcher being overly good st their job and trying to make life easier on the guy.

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Flackjkt@reddit

I always assume customers should expect an order. If it says call ahead I do. If it doesn’t say that I don’t. I have had customers get mad because I called ahead. You cannot win as a driver. Whatever you do is wrong. It’s an odd job where you are at the mercy of everyone, everything from weather too shipper, and equipment. It’s a roll of the dice and rarely is it smooth.

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OracleTrucker@reddit

That’s probably a problem with your company for not communicating that you needed to call the receiver. This information is supposed to be passed onto the driver.

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Prudent_Wishbone_819@reddit

One thing I do hate tho is when a delivery comes at the ass end of the day or when it’s pouring rain and the driver and I have to get wet. Now that fucking sucks. Anyways all drivers that deliver for us are great people.

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bdgreen113@reddit

I'm a truck driver. I don't do clerical work or make phone calls. I drive, I deliver my shit, I go. If my company wants to provide me with a phone or pay my phone bill, then it's a whole different ball game.

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burymewithmybootson_@reddit

I'm a mechanic that has to stop my mechanics work to unload you. It's nice to know ahead of time if I have to jump off a job to unload a semi. I don't care if you charge my bosses up the ass for playing on your phone time. If I'm not informed that something is coming in that I have to unload, you can wait until I'm ready. A 1 minute phone call on your part can save us all a lot of headache.

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bdgreen113@reddit

For my line of work, no you do not. I don't haul freight and I never will

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Defiant-Fuel3898@reddit

I think this is more of a dispatch/sales issue more than anything. If the people setting up delivery can do their jobs correctly and set proper expectations then I bet you wouldn’t have these problems

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NufeeFlatlander@reddit

Ultimately it comes down to communication. Depending on the industry the customer may not just have people and equipment laying around for when a truck shows up. If they aren’t ready for you then it will slow everyone down and no one will be happy. I work in the utility industry and when I arrange equipment/material deliveries to our sites I insist like hell that the trucker has the contact info for the receiver and that they call ahead, and I make sure our staff have a rough window to know when the delivery will arrive. I also make sure we know how the truck is loaded and that we are capable to unload it and have a place to store it. It’s annoying as hell to micromanage to that level but I’ve never had our site staff upset about an unexpected delivery or the delivery company mad that no one was available to offload.

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TheyCallMeRoy17@reddit

“I understand, if you’d like I can cancel your delivery today and you can reschedule for a later date” Either that or I just shrug and say “well I’m here now so?”

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Green_Lawyer_1049@reddit

I got this once at a tractor supply. Turned into a screaming match after dude tried to berate me.m for just showing up. Funny none of the other t supplys ever told me to call ...

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Calm_Check_4188@reddit

I'd say it would be common sense to call ahead to the shipper so you don't waste time driving all the way over to it only to get sent back to the truck stop to wait for it to be ready.

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redshan01@reddit

Not calling ahead is a waste of your time. Always call ahead unless instructed not to. It will save you hours of hanging around waiting to offload. Also could be directions of prohibited roads or all sorts. Unless you go there all the time and/or have an appointment, it is extremely unprofessional to not call ahead.

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NWdabest@reddit

It’s not a bad idea to call but so many people know so little it can be exhausting. There’s been a span of drivers showing up at our warehouse on the weekend and there’s no receiving on the weekend. I see them cause I’m a driver coming back to the yard with an empty. They ask for my help but there’s nothing I can do. Some broker or dispatcher is lying to them.

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Hypnowolfproductions@reddit

And many a time on load times that seem out of place I’ve tried calling for number I’m given not correct or no answer.

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up2late@reddit

Being a company driver for a large company has it ups and downs. One of the perks is I don't deal with shit like this. I have people for that. I secure the load and drive the truck. The admin staff can deal with the admin BS.

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NotEvenLion@reddit

Seems to me there are 2 kinds of warehouse managers/supervisors. The first used to be a trucker or is just a generally understanding person not trying to waste any time. The second type thinks the entire world runs on their warehouse clock and every second they make you wait is another accolade for them. Just sucks we all can't work together since we're literally all working towards the same goal. My favorite is when you arrive on 6/27 and they say what the hell that was supposed to arrive before month end which was yesterday for whatever reason. I've had it explained to me so many times but I just don't get how your month can end before THE month. How about count all the days dummies.

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Happy-Adhesiveness97@reddit

As a customer who has it in our delivery notes to always call before delivery, yet they never do, it seems pointless to continue to put it on the bill if it’s just ignored.

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Insciuspetra@reddit

I make it a point to personally check in with the folks at the receiving end for all my hauls. This tactic helps to make the unloading process smoother and quicker, and keeps those unexpected hitches at bay. I've found that a friendly demeanor and a touch of professionalism can take you a long way in this line of work. Relying on others to make those calls for you, now that's just a recipe for problems. You never know what could get lost in translation. ~ Chat GPT Rewrite ~

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Cg30sailor@reddit

this right here, along with some driving directions and the availability of overnight parking. makes everyones life easier.

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Hourslikeminutes47@reddit

C: I don't place the orders Me: not my problem. Heeeere you, four pallets of recycle catfish blood. Enjoy!

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texas130ab@reddit

Yeah a customer told me once I was early and that I need to come back tomorrow I told him today is my last day so I won't be back tomorrow. Funny how they could fit me in right then and there.

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CobraWasTaken@reddit

Something I hate about flatbed is how many times my dispatch tells me "YOU MUST CALL RECEIVER" or "MUST GIVE 24 HOURS NOTICE BEFORE DELIVERY" and I call them and they're just like "Uh, okay cool. We'll unload you when you get here. You didn't need to call."

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lowercaseben@reddit

I get this a lot too. But you know how it goes - the one time I *don’t* call ahead, the place jussst moved 50 miles on the opposite side of freaking DFW or some shit.

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justdan76@reddit

Turn it around on them. Find out who the purchaser is. Drop his/her name directly and tell them to call him/her. [insert name] ordered this and requested delivery “asap,” did he/she not tell you it was coming today? Their lack of internal communication isn’t your fault. That said, make a habit of directly calling the people who will be receiving the load, they’re left out of the loop and are screwed by unexpected deliveries of freight they didn’t know they needed to make room for. Never believe a broker, confirm the delivery details yourself.

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fartspatula@reddit

Well well well, if it isn’t the crap we ordered to be delivered. How dare you show up and assume we will receive this

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raftsinker@reddit

I have people blow up the phone to come pick up their freight and then when I show up they ask me to come later because they're too busy or too many trucks or things in the way. The world revolves around only them, you know??

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coolsellitcheap@reddit

I recieve deliveries at my small business. I put my cell and say have driver call me. 1 in 20 calls me. If they call me I'll stay late or come in early to unload them. My old warehouse was behind another warehouse so was confusing. So sometimes I would leave for the night and see a truck. Hey man what's up. Oh you been sitting 2 hours. Wow. OK I can unload you I'll open back up. Pull around behind. Calling ahead might save your time. In theory the faster you get unloaded the more loads and more money you make. So Google earth where your going. Call the number. The company address might be x street but receiving might be around the block.

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BlazeUpRaiseUp@reddit

cause there's like 15 layers of chucklefucks built into every logistics network now

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gremus18@reddit

If you need a forklift but your time is too valuable to be there (which is fine) then let them use the lift gate. It’s funny how people think drivers have nothing better to do than call people trying to guess our time of arrival when there’s a dozen factors that could throw that off.

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possiblerussianbot69@reddit

my favorite interaction with residential idiots in the LTL world when I showed up at their 3rd story apartment with their 5k lbs worth of shit. .. "How are you going to get it off the truck, mr. driver guy?" "did you order a lift gate?" "no, that was more expensive!" "welp, your stuff will be at the terminal until you order a lift gate. Also, if we come back, it goes off the truck and onto the curb so I suggest you get some goons to help you lift it up to your apartment".

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Virel_360@reddit

That’s when you ask for the phone number and immediately punch it into your phone and dial right in front of them show them how fucking stupid that is

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rollingfor110@reddit

"I don't place the orders" Then you need to talk to whoever does.

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Klutzy_Pound_5428@reddit

What C should have said was "I apologize for my previous statement, I do not place the orders. We understand now" but no he went with I don't place the orders so fuck you it's still your fault . Smh

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Lukeyboy9191@reddit

I don't call even if they ask me to tbh

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Tallon_raider@reddit

They don’t even answer lol

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SoftMilkers@reddit

"then you need to tell this to whoever makes your order. Is there anything else I can do for you?" The end.

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MilkrsEnthuziast@reddit

I know this isn't a requirement or even a suggestion but when I used to deliver interstate freight (outside of LTL to XPO or FedEx) I always gave a call ahead of time to touch base with someone, get specific directions and let them know I was coming because on more than one occasion that saved me A LOT of headache. I was able to deliver early, wait less, and sometimes get some little tricks on the best way to get there. No, it's definitely not your job but opening the door to a little friendly human interaction does sometimes save a lot of frustration and hassle later.

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lleu81@reddit

"I'm happy to notate it in the system and we can come back tomorrow, but since I've already made contact with you today, there's going to be a redelivery fee."

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Tallon_raider@reddit

I used to take molten feedstock chemicals and we’d bill them for taking the load all the way back to Chicago AND steaming it, even if we didn’t do that. The redelivery fee was the entire linehaul + 50% lmfao

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LongHaulinTruckwit@reddit

Or say "you're free to reschedule, my next available day is in about 2 weeks"

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DANO8503@reddit

This works frequently for me. But I’m also pretty good at sweet talking my way into delivering prior to appointments. I say that as I’m stuck at a Costco waiting to deliver at 4 am, but usually I can get my deliveries done way before dispatch has the appointment set for.

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LongHaulinTruckwit@reddit

In my industry, most places don't technically open until 7 or 8 am, but usually, someone will be there around 6am. If I can get in the door, I can do my job without assistance.

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GotDonuts@reddit

Hell when I worked for PAM it was the opposite, they did not want us calling customers only them directly. Was always told to deliver things before they were actually set to arrive. Get there and told to drop the trailer at a nearby drop yard, cutting my last mile pay even though I did the delivery within the timeframe I was given. So glad to not be working for that piece of shit company.

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AaronTuplin@reddit

Delivery time 4:00 p.m. Friday then you show up at 2:00 p.m. on Friday and they're like "we already sent all the warehouse workers and forklift operators home we didn't think you were coming. Come back on Monday"

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OverSizeLife@reddit

While I understand the frustration, but it's in your best interests to call the consignee to either schedule a delivery time or advise them that you're on your way. By my standards your dispatcher or your boss should be calling and setting up the appointments, but many times in this industry, the driver just needs to suck it up and deal with it themselves.

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bloopie1192@reddit

I love it when they're given a day and time frame that I'll be there yet they still want me to call because they won't be there. Even though they've known the date for days or weeks.

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Mfenix09@reddit

I used to call because I want the customer to stay slightly past 5pm on some deliveries rather then spend the night and unload in the morning...everyone seemed pretty happy when I did that.

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Wildcatb@reddit

So if you know it's an issue, why don't you call?

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realmeverified@reddit

Exactly what I was thinking, I call ahead for almost every pickup or delivery regardless if it's requested or not. I don't feel like having my time wasted when I can easily prevent it by a simple phone call.

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thisiscameron@reddit

You: Then take this issue up with whoever DID place the order.

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ksgif2@reddit

Company I work for always calls. I have the name of the person they talked to and the time they said I'd arrive. That info puts an end to the discussion pretty quick

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rasner724@reddit

Consignee is rarely the payer.

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Azzacura@reddit

I only call ahead when I know I'll need help with unloading, I don't offer emotional support for people who aren't prepared to accept their delivery. I used to always call ahead, until I realized that most customers ignored it anyway and didn't have enough dock space or employees regardless of my call.

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Unexpectedly_Useful@reddit

I mostly haul heavy equipment. I've never gotten where I'm going with an excavator and had them ask why I didn't call. I have had cases where they want to be informed especially if it's a non running machine or some type of crate but just because they sometimes need to get a crane to unload. That's understandable. I hated hauling van because of this crap.

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drfury31@reddit

Not a trucker, but in the service industry. I can follow orders to the "T" but I can't read minds. If you want something you have to ask.

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spizsam@reddit

Driving for 8 years, I've never had to call customer for delivery unless it's when I arrive

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SpaceBaIlTheUserName@reddit

C: I don't make the orders D: I didn't take the order but my company has me delivering it because your company ordered it. So which dock?

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1337Carbon@reddit

That's when you tell them they have 3 choices. ___1) They take the loaf ___2) They get charged for the time you sit and wait until they are able to unload ___3) The delivery gets returned, which they also get to pay for

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Drinkie_Zilla@reddit

I love it when I call the receiver and they don't pick up and then when I show up and they go "A little warning would have been nice" I love it cause I show them the call from my cell phone and tell them the shipper emails the receivers days ahead of time.

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hugothebear@reddit

‘I juss drives the truck’

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ElJefe0218@reddit

When I worked dispatch we religiously called to make sure the driver was good for delivery. If there was dock info, I would give that to the driver as well. We really did try to cater to our drivers since they were making our paychecks.

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Mechanik_J@reddit

I just tell them, "I just get paid to drive the truck, that sounds like a discussion for management."

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clayb57@reddit

Gotta love when it’s a surprise to the receiver.

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Stanford1621@reddit

I use to do p&d and I didn’t argue with customers, be polite but firm, give them the number to the office and tell them they can answer any questions, I’m just the delivery guy, you can take it or I can ship it back.

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Geno__Breaker@reddit

C: I don't place orders. D: Well if you need a call in advance, you need to make sure whoever places the orders passes that along. Until then, I don't call.

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