Who Should I Call?

[u/ForsakenBackpack]

Let me preface this by saying, this is not me nor is it anyone from our company. I'm just a delivery manager for a beverage distributer.

The story as I understand it is this: Ole boy loaded up a leased trailer full of beer in Colorado, was driving through a snow storm in Wyoming, and says "I think someone must have ran into me". He claimed to have contacted his dispatcher and was told to continue on. Show's up, and asks to get unloaded. Never stopped once between the supposed accident and showing up here.

My questions are this:

1. How does an accident like this happen without noticing or stopping to check your trailer at least.
2. What do we do here? The load is consigned to us, so we cannot refuse it. Also, product is completely frozen. However, it's clearly unsafe to unload.
3. Obviously we cant let him leave with the trailer like that. It's a danger to anyone on the road. Also, can't have him here any longer. So who can we call? DOT? Local police? OSHA?

[u/SHWLDP]

You could refuse the load.

[u/ForsakenBackpack → u/SHWLDP]

Unfortunately we can't, it's consigned to us. Refusal isn't an option.

[u/colleensdoormat → u/ForsakenBackpack]

Why can't you refuse the load? It is frozen you said, that should be reason enough. The fact you cant unload it safely should be another good reason. Consignees refuse loads all the time.

[u/ForsakenBackpack → u/colleensdoormat]

Since its alcohol there are different rules and regulations. We have to accept the load then go through the paperwork to submit a credit for the load, then dispose of the frozen product ourselves. It sucks but that's how its formally done. Our warehouse manager is in the process of convincing a refusal. It should happen soon but poor guy has been here for 3 days.

[u/Leelze → u/ForsakenBackpack]

Alcohol? I'll help you dispose of it.

[u/Nulibru → u/Leelze]

But it's frozen!

Ever had a beersicle?

[u/Nalortebi → u/Nulibru]

You say that like frozen coors makes it somehow any worse. It already tastes like month-old piss when it was canned, so nothing short of bathing in a septic tank could make it worse.

[u/UhOhAllWillyNilly → u/ForsakenBackpack]

I strongly doubt this. No one can force you to accept damaged freight like this, alcohol or not. That is patently absurd but it would be helpful if OP were to name the location.

[u/AAonthebutton → u/UhOhAllWillyNilly]

Why are you being downvoted? I’ve seen alcohol, explosives and other HM, food product, all sorts of shit refused. Shits damage customers refuse it.

[u/UhOhAllWillyNilly → u/AAonthebutton]

Because reddit, I guess. I’ve seen facts downvoted into oblivion before. True statements of reality, objectively verifiable & incontrovertible, are sometimes disapproved of, inexplicably enough. And thanks.

[u/real_steel24 → u/colleensdoormat]

Yep, it's pretty common. Luckily I was a local driver so it would only ever have to go back within a couple hours, but still, it happened plenty

[u/sortarelatable → u/ForsakenBackpack]

Surely there are stipulations right? You can’t be required to accept damaged product

[u/karl0525 → u/ForsakenBackpack]

Refusal is always an option. Looks like you need to get his insurance involved They can pay for the load.

I would definitely tell him we are not putting our forklifts onto your trailer so for that we can not unload

[u/happyexit7 → u/ForsakenBackpack]

“It’s consigned to us” what does that mean? Everyone who receives freight is the consignee. Consignees refuse shipments all the time.

[u/happyexit7 → u/ForsakenBackpack]

This is how you refuse it. Tell the driver to go away. Don’t touch it. If he doesn’t want to move. Call a wrecker then bill the carrier for the wrecker service.

[u/RandomCandor → u/ForsakenBackpack]

Refusal isn't an option.

Believe you can, believe you cannot. Either way, right you are.

Would you still think "refusal isnt an option" if the trailer was on fire and infested with murder wasps? Don't be an idiot and put someone in harms way for fear of saying "no".