In 2003,the Transportation Intermediaries Association formed a new Credit Practices Committee. The group was to review credit reporting practices in the industry. Their first such assignment was CompuNet. Brokers had complained that the firm's practice of immediately reporting non-payment gave a misleading reading on upstanding brokers. This was a serious concern to TIA members. Some 2/3 of TIA members are subscribers to CompuNet.

Addressing the complaints resulted in a test program where CompuNet placed a 72 hour hold before posting non-payment complaints. 107 TIA members participating in the test. It was agreed that any broker with 3 or more complaints would be removed from the test which ran form May 2003 to April 2004. Results were announced at the TIA conference in November.

Of the 107 companies in the test, 3 were removed for having 3 or more complaints. Another had 60 complaints and subsequently went out of business. Of the 218 non-payment complaints against the 104 remaining brokers:

• 182 were ruled valid (based on documentation or a broker's lack of response to requests for appropriate paper work) and remained on the system

• 32 were paid during the 72 hour period

• 2 were removed because the carrier was out of compliance with CompuNet business rules

• 2 were removed when the broker's paperwork showed non-payment to be justified

CompuNet was found to have 98% accurate reporting during the test period. They have therefore removed the 72 hour hold on non-payment complaints. Such complaints will go on brokers' reports immediately.

Credit Committee Chair Jeff Banning, CTB, pointed out, “CompuNet was very willing to work with TIA. But their core business is protecting motor carriers. A few companies either got in trouble or abused the system and we must deal with the consequences.”

At a meeting at their headquarters in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, CompuNet executives also agreed to changes in their Gold Book. A new Gold Seal, suitable for posting on a website, is available to qualified brokers. A discount for new customers who are TIA members was also arranged.

Committee member Sean Somers continues to work directly with CompuNet. Banning is now working on broker reporting by Dun & Bradstreet and Experian. Jeff remains chair of the group for 2005.