I generally write/share information only about educational matters relating to shipping and freight.. However, below view (albeit on the lighter side) of a freight forwarder and his feelings was too good not to share.. Courtesy of FTW.. 
Alien Logistics shares this “open letter from a freight forwarder”. They assured readers that no customers were hurt during the writing of it.
Dear customer,
We are capable of calculating quotations for three major projects, make bookings for 5 different shipments and answering 12 totally unnecessary calls per hour, all simultaneously. We do not require sleep and are at your service 25 hours a day, 8 days a week. Our home numbers are your numbers.We are responsible for production delays, traffic jams, weather conditions, and mechanical problems with trucks, aircraft and ships and the depressed economic conditions overall. We are totally responsible for any lost or damaged freight and will personally replace it upon request.
We have powers, which allow us to add unlimited weight and volume to an already overloaded truck. We create miracles by loading unlimited weight and volume into airline/sea freight containers. Furthermore, we can always motivate drivers to be your free-of-charge temporary employees to help with loading and unloading.
Yesterday’s delivery requirements with cargo loading today are regularly completed the day before yesterday, ten times a day, every day. We know that when you order for a truck for loading on Monday that you really needed it on Saturday, but that you only want the overnight load delivered the following Wednesday. You want us to be at the office on weekends & public holidays to unload your goods at 2am and to ensure that your truck returns on time for your normal deliveries.
We are always friendly with a smile, have mastered telepathy, show empathy and gladly act as our customer’s psychiatrists. We embrace the challenge when you cancel the space with the airline and one hour later expect the airline to hold the space for you just in case you require the capacity again, and do this daily.
We embrace the opportunity that you allow us to develop our negotiation skills with the airlines in securing capacity on already overbooked flight and allowing us to freely negotiate a cheap spot rate for the freight as well.
We speak all languages and know the location of even the smallest town anywhere in the world. We are able to obtain freight inclusive of clearance and door delivery to the strangest of places at a moment’s notice. At your request we can comply with any and all of additional requirements your company may have. We also repair vehicles and computers.
For unpredictable road traffic that has clogged our vehicles and for those caught in a traffic jam, we are capable of freeing the roads upon request in order to meet cut offs times.
Naturally, payment of our invoices is optional and if your company has financial difficulties we will gladly advance unlimited funds for as long as you require them.
Our lives have been enriched by the endless opportunities that you have allowed us to experience.
Sincerely,
Your eternally grateful freight forwarder
As a VP of a Freight Forwarding Company I know how it feels to run a successful Freight Forwarding business for more than 10 years. There are numerous challenges that one has to face while doing a business. As your Blog just covers each and every thing related to Freight Forwarding. I must Say that it is a treat for read to read this wonderful Article.
HAHAH I RELLY LIKE THIS LETTER AND AGREED TO WRITER. AS WE ARE IN THIS BOAT.
I do not work at freight forwarders, but I know how is suffering. Awesome this letter.
Hiii , thanks for the info was helpful for me 🙂
absorbingly brilliant. I am going to hang it on the back of my reception.
long time ago, there was a similar document stating “call the agent”
Oh yeah! *sarcastic smile*
Dear colleagues,
Another important point – After the successful cusotms completion & delivery at doorstep some of them are not cared to sent a POD mail stating that the cargo received in good condition. If any visible packing damage is found at the time of delivery at doorstep, you are ready to shoot a mail.
Also you had rightly mentioned – The collection of outstanding dues of our invoices is a herculian task. That time you will say that your quote is bit more when compared to others in the industry !!!
Very nice. Great work done.
Lolest!
All 2 tru
Fair enough! Good one!
Awesome 🙂
Good Article , really F.F co helps clients to ofer them best rates and credit payment