I own and operate a truck for a living. I deliver to a lot of places. For the most part 98% are problem free.
However, when I deliver a load to Publix warehouses there is always a hassle. From the unloaders to some of the other employees as well. We are charged anywhere from $60 to $200 dollars per load.
This happens at all of their warehouses. Some are worse than others. The Jacksonville, Florida warehouse is the worst by far. Not only they the highest but they are the most rude.
I have been called some pretty ugly names. Been told where I could put my truck and the load. And, believe me truck and the load would not fit where the individual told me to put it.
However, this morning I heard the unloader very plainly state that Publix does not do a damn thing for free. He then told my driver that if he wanted a supervisor to go to door #32.
My driver did go to door #32. I did talk to the supervisor and informed him that my conformation said driver no touch. The supervisor no problem I even faxed him a copy of the conformation.
My driver went back to the truck to wait to be unloaded. Then some guy come by and told him to get his paperwork and get off the lot. The driver then called me back and told what was happening.
While my driver was on the phone he asked the man why he was being thrown out. The man said you are not being thrown out. The man said either pay the fee or unload the load himself.
To which my driver replied no problem he would be happy to do so. Driver was also told that he would have to break down the load driver said no problem. Driver said bring me a pallet jack to pull the load off.
Breakdown of a load involves taking the product off of the pallet it came on and putting on a pallet of the receiving company's choice. This done on a lot of loads for a lot of different companies.
However, when the forklift driver/unloader unloaded this load all he did was take the pallet of product off truck and sit it right on top of another pallet. Driver witnessed him lining up the empty pallets on the floor there was no breakdown involved.
The guy said no you have to use a forklift. He then asked my driver if he had a permit to operate a forklift. Driver replied no. The guy then told pay the fee or get off the lot. The man was talking loud enough for me to hear all.
While I am on the phone with my driver; I told him to go ahead and get a comcheck # (4020732052) and I would get it authorized for the amount of $60 (Driver had a 5:30 am appointment and was on time).
The first call came through at 6:03 am at 7:10am they still did not have him unloaded. It was after 8:00 am before they (Publix dock workers) gave him his paperwork back signed and a receipt for the lumper service that we were forced to use.
It is the policy of Publix to use outside lumper services.
Marie
Live Oak, Florida
U.S.A.
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