How to Become a Truck Driver’s Favorite Shipper

How to Become a Truck Driver’s Favorite Shipper.

There has been so much talk about “shippers of choice” and how to become one, but what does that even mean?

Basically, if you are a shipper or receiver these are some things you can do or implement to become a truck driver’s favorite shipper. Even the best shippers and receivers cannot be perfect shippers and receivers, just like there is no such thing as a perfect truck driver. 

There will always be that perfect alignment of imperfect situations that can cause issues for both the shippers and drivers. It makes neither one happy, but there’s not much either can do in this hypothetical unforeseen situation. That being said, we can only do the best we can, and here is a list of 5 suggestions on how to become a truck drivers favorite shipper.

1. Keep ‘em Moving – There’s one thing that can frustrate a driver to what feels like no end and that is to be sitting idle. Not only is it a waste of the trucker's time and resources to sit idle, but it cuts into future money they could be making. Waiting idle in a line or at a dock feels like they are throwing money down the toilet. Even with detention pay drivers could be making so much more if they could just get their truck rolling than with a measly detention pay. These people are truckers, trucks keep moving forward, and that’s exactly what the trucker wants to do… keep ‘em moving (to the best of your ability). This may mean restructuring the way you organize your incoming or outgoing shipments, or implementing a structure to start with to help with flow. 

2. Keep Communicating – Remember that “unforeseen situation” mentioned previously? Most of the time if you approach one another (in a humble attitude) and just tell the truth about what is going on, more than likely there will be understanding and compassion. Wow, who would have thought communicating the truth about a situation would make you feel so much better and at ease?

Did it fix the bad situation? No. But as a shipper, communicating what could be causing a delay will give the driver an idea of how to plan accordingly and give them a light at the end of the tunnel, and give you additional peace and not worrying about the driver’s reaction later. Tell them now, rip off the bandage, and move forward. The driver knows things can happen to cause you to run behind – ask the driver if they have ever gotten a flat tire or engine issue a mile down the road from a delivery, I bet they have or know someone who has.

Here at C2 Freight Resources Inc our policy is to “Always tell the truth, even if it’s detrimental to profits”, because we know in the long run our carriers and shippers will both appreciate the truth and keep coming back to us because we treat them right, with respect, and tell them the truth.

3. Keep Appreciating – If you can’t help a situation or have caused a situation (ugh, so embarrassing, so frustrating) the best thing you can do is show some verbal and financial appreciation. Like the old saying goes: time is money. “The best way to think about it is terms of minutes. Every minute costs a dollar or several dollars,” said Brian Reed, executive vice president of supply chain and global strategy for FreightWaves and a former vice president of transportation with Niagara Bottling. “All those minutes add up and somehow the carriers need to make up those lost minutes and lost dollars. So every minute you can remove from the process, every minute of savings is ultimately going to come back to you.”

Not only should you respect and compensate them for their time, but throw in a "thanks for understanding" or "thank you for being so patient, we appreciate it". They may act like they don't care, but those words will linger with them if they are spoken sincerely, and will likely help you in the future if a situation arises again.

4. Keep it Driver Focused – Put yourself in the mind of the driver picking up or delivering your load. What are some obstacles they could be encountering on their way? Bad weather or road conditions between pick-up and delivery locations, timing and scheduling conflicts between stops, traffic, truck problems, those oh-so-pesky hours-of-service regulations, and the list goes on and on. Once a driver does finally arrive at your facility they could have had a myriad of difficulties, then see signs saying “No Truck Drivers can use these restrooms”, or “Don’t ask about T-checks or Com Checks”, “If you’re a minute late, you still have to pay a late fee”, or “No Overnight Parking”.  

Another small touch a shipper can add is to offer basic amenities, such as beverages, bathrooms, break rooms, and overnight parking if possible.

Instead of approaching the situation in a negative manner, try putting a positive spin on it. We know there could be a reason you have to charge that fee (paying employees to stay late), incompatibilities with offering T-checks, or no space or liability issues with parking overnight, but the driver who just spent numerous hours on the road jumping hurdles to get your load delivered can’t think of that right now. Instead of saying “Don’t ask about [fill in the blank]”, offer convenient resources to what they need. Maybe a list of local places that do have what they need (checks, parking, etc) and the address to these places.

5. Keep It Flexible – One thing that can help most negative situations is to just be flexible. If you are not open to be available for shipping or receiving except during peak traffic times or only during the week and not weekends, that limits the trucks you’ll get, and cause a domino effect later. That “we close at 4pm sharp and not open on weekends” means your driver will likely be getting stuck in school and work traffic, causing them to be late, which then means they’ll be stuck delivering the next week, and that will push other deliveries and it’s just a logistical nightmare. Do what works best for you, which will likely mean what is best for your truck driver. Every situation is different, but be flexible when you can.

As a truck driver, what are some other possible things a shipper can do to make them your favorite shipper? And shippers, same question, what can carriers do to become your go-to carrier?

Thank you to ALL of C2 Freight's awesome shippers, receivers, and carriers!!!


Credits:
Ari Ashe, Associate Editor, William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor from joc.com
12 Steps to become a US truck shipper of choice