What do you ask your brokers? This is what I ask:

When they say "lumber" I say "g'bye".


Hold it!

YES! THE $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!

 

You missed the most important part.
How much does it pay? and how do you pay?
Do you have quick pay? whats the fee?
If they say thirty days negotiations are over with
I am not a bank......

 

1. What does it pay.
(regardless of their answer)
2. Can you bump that rate up some?
3. Days to pay?
4. What does it weigh?
if we get past this point, ill then ask specifics. Date, time, location, etc...

 

MC # for a credit check has not been mentioned

 

I usually only ask two questions.

1.What is it?
2.What does it pay?

If the answers don't meet my qualifications I hang up.

I agree, the day lumber actually pays enough to waste my time I'll stop hanging up.

I'm very picky on what I haul. The reason is terms like "light load" or "no tarp" is used to try and distract from a cheap rate. I have all conestogas, "no tarp" means nothing to me because I tarp everything.

 

Lately, I ask: "What ARE you smoking, and where can I get some?!"

 

A checklist helps. It goes faster if you just ask them "tell me about this van/reefer/flat/etc load going from x to y today."

You check off the items as they talk, then close with the ones they didn't cover. While all that's going on, you should be punching x and y into a routing program to:

• Make sure the distance is in real miles your truck will be traveling.
• Make sure you're on a feasible route so you can adjust for a better one. A good example - try doing a Google map trip from Braselton, GA. to Chattanooga, TN. The direct route is thrilling. on a motorcycle.
• Do a quick plan in your head to see if you can make the trip logbook legal

By the time you get this far, you should already have a rate in mind and quickly get to the money.

You don't say what you're hauling, but if it's a rectangular thing with doors in the back, you ought to ask about pallets, lumpers, and detention. All of which will automatically come out of your pocket if you forget to ask.

As you do repeat business with some, the Q&A will go faster. However, NEVER assume anything. Even on my best customers that I've hauled dozens of loads for, I study every single rate confirmation and call back before I sign if anything's amiss. Or at least write clarifications directly on the rate I return, depending on the customer. Even the ones that just send me rate confirmations without calling first.

 

I always start out with the 7 W's
What is it?
What's it weigh?
What miles you show?
Whats it pay?
When is it ready?
When it drops?
When's it pay?