Lumpers And Lumper Fees

I experienced the Lumper Fee at a grocery warehouse just North of French Camp, CA during my training with a TE while in Company Orientation. After waiting in line behind several other drivers, we were notified that the Lumper Fee had to be paid before they would do anything with us. We had to return to the truck for a Lumper Check and call the Lumper Hotline Phone to get an approval number. Once we got back to Receiving, they were closed for lunch! We had to stand there for 30 minutes waiting in order to not end up behind more drivers. In the end, we'd cut our 14-hour clock down to moments and had to request permission to sleep in the truck onsite. In this industry, like anything else, time is money!

So, in my limited experience (6 days with a TE and 6 days Solo), I can easily see that if there is ever a chance you might have to pay the Lumper Fee, then have the payment (check, card, or otherwise) immediately available right when you check in at the delivery location! It can save you time and money.

I've only dealt with Lumpers twice and both were last week. We had one load with two drops. $65 at one and $135 at the other. We use ComChecks and its a bit of a pain but has to be done. This seems to be most prevalent in the grocery biz.

I don't think I've ever thought about it before tonight, but with being reimbursed isn't the company taking taxes out on that money? And if so, then aren't we partially paying for said lumpers?

I'm sure there is companies out there that reimburse you for lumpers but the big companies you just ask for the said amount and put it on a comchek and as long as you send in a receipt you don't have to pay it...