Times change, new inventions, things like the Telephone, and Internet... but some folks don't like change and insist on doing things the same old ways...
several things to consider, most have probably been mentioned already.
price paid
scale method
scale quality
trucking distances
mill demands
truck access
I know guys that haul logs and overnight, then haul a load back, its rare, and only profitable for really special wood (really I can't figure out how the loggers are making it pay...)
What the mills advertise is generally top rate for premium logs, what they actually pay depends on their scalers, which should be 3rd party, but I understand that is a PNW thing
one scalers 10"s might not be the same as the next guys 10"s, so if you have more then a couple loads but have several mills to choose from, send loads to each, and see the differences... it can be shocking
truck distances are crucial to making money, I can get $4 a board foot for black walnut, but its rare out here, and the only mill buying it is in Oregon 250 miles one way, so the 1-2 logs I get wouldn't even cover fuel half way...
what the mill wants, the mill better get, they control the purse strings, not us loggers, it sucks and isn't fair, but its how its done
you've logged before, so you should know what the trucks need to get in and out, the other problem is getting enough trucks to show up, folks with valid CDL's are getting scarce, log trucks are getting scarcer