Tamara
Apollo Beach,#2Author of original report
Fri, May 12, 2006
We are not a BROKER. We are shipping agents. We work with hundreds of Owner/Ops year round--reefers, vented vans & flatbeds. My mom, Tammy, has over 25 years experience in the industry and was once a driver herself. We have never had so many problems with a carrier like this one. At the time, they were working with us, their status on FMCSA checked out okay. Again, we are not a BROKER--we work for the SHIPPER. We run most of our freight out of Florida. We charge a flat fee. The reason in having them paid direct is because these loads do not advance and as you know, since you live in FL, freight is scarce in FL for reefers almost year round, with the exception of produce season. These trucks cannot wait for us to be paid, pay them, etc. so it is easier in the long run for them to be paid and then to pay us. Every truck we work with does this, this carrier did not. There are circumstances where a "well-off" carrier can afford to wait 30 days for payment. In those instances, we do pay the truck rather than them invoicing the shipper.
Steve
Bradenton,#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, May 11, 2006
Tammy and Tamara, You can file liens on all equipment this company owns. I have vast experience in the trucking business both as an O/O, Company driver. I have dealt with HUNDREDS of brokers. Now for the questions: 1). Are you now, and were you then a LICENSED and BONDED BROKER? 2). If the answer above is YES, WHY did you not take the money from the shipper, and then YOU pay the truck? [This is the way it is done]. Why did you let the truck company collect from the shipper?????? It is apparent to me that you are not a licensed frieght broker. Or you were just new and eager and got burnt. Been there, done that. Please let us know, and post your FMCSA Broker MC# here.
John
Chandler,#4Consumer Suggestion
Thu, May 11, 2006
I went to the Surface Transportation Boards Website and notice that TSA Trucking at 2871 Rooggy Rd Itaca, MI 48847 (989) 875-3292 Fax (989) 875-3292 Under the name Francine Turner have an inactive common carrier license. They do not have insurance either but do answer the phone and it is listed to Jon T. Turner. Their MC number is 476803. I would file a complaint with the Board and figure out if they were operating illeglly during the time they shipped for you. Maybe they would rather pay you then be put under a microscope. The company filed bankrupcty chapter 13 on 07/05/05 and the individuals filed chapter 7 04/26/06. Under US Code Title 11, you are barred from communicating them further about this debt and presumably they have you listed on the schedule. Why they would tell you they are going to pay you is a mystery but I suspect it was before the filing date. Sorry you are our of luck but they are now in the publics eye.