Just getting started...a little help please...

AFS keeps 3% if broker/shipper pays invoice in 30 days, 3.5% after 45 days then 4% after 60 and so on. Maximum would be 7% on a charge back, I have never had this happen to me though. They are just very easy to deal with and very quick to respond to anything I need. I had many factoring companies contact me once my authority hit the list. I ended up with AFS simply because of the calling OOIDA and taking the lead from who they recommended. I'm sure there are others who are good. I have not used anyone else and have no reason to change. I'm on a first name basis with them now. They have some other services as well, like IFTA record and payment, fuel card etc. I only use the factoring service.

There is a $200 one time set up fee. I see some factoring companies advertise "no set up fee" but they charge 5% which after a while ends up costing far more than the $200. For every $1,000 factored they put $20 into an escrow account and it accumulates until it reaches $2,000. That is there in case a future emergency with an unpaid invoice gets charged back and you can't afford to buy back. Don't deal with risky brokers and I doubt this will ever be an issue. Always call AFS (If you use them that is) to check a brokers record. Don't haul the load if there is a blemish in their record. I don't take the chance. So, I explained that the best that I can remember the details. If you ever cancel your contract with AFS you get the money back from the escrow.

Since August 2007 I have ran more than 80 loads using 30+ different brokers. Once you take a load it only takes 10 minutes to get the contracts done with a fax machine if you are not set up. Some want 10 pages faxed and some want 3. ALWAYS read the payment details and every line on the "rate confirmation". In the past I have made a verbal agreement to run a load for one of the brokers you mentioned and they faxed a confirmation stating $50 or $100 less than what they told me. Don't move the truck until you verify first. I'm under a load now for that same broker and I talked them up $200 more than what they wanted to give but not without an argument, "friendly argument" that is. I wouldn't move until I saw it in writing.

My recommendation is go with one of the veteran load board sites and post the truck. You will receive calls and know the minimum amount you need before you negotiate. (Of course the trucks locations at the time affects the amount of calls you get. In a US city along the east coast you will get calls anyway.)

I shoot straight with the brokers and some pay the price to get the load moved. Some say no way and hang up then sometimes they call back and say OK I checked with whomever and they will pay what you need. Some will talk to you like you're crazy asking for a certain amount. It's a game they play trying to keep most of the shippers pay rate. Look at the article in USA today from last week call "End Of The Road For Independent Truckers". Some keep up to 60% of the pay! You have to argue your position with them, I had some experience doing this as a load planner and dispatcher before I bought a truck of my own.

Make sure you have a road test record for any drivers you hire as well as pre-hire drug test in the driver file EVEN FOR YOURSELF before you move your first load. The DOT auditor is going to check that, I guarantee it. Even if "only you" drive you also have to have a 10 year work history application in your driver file for yourself as crazy as that sounds. Again, get the DVD from the Motor Carrier Enforcement. I use the OOIDA drug consortium for myself. Its like $100 per year per driver. I think that is about as cheap as you will find.

OOIDA provides a lot of service avenues for the independent driver. If any of you disagree that is OK. I operate under my own authority, for a person who is alone in this business they are worth the time and membership. Just like the factoring company, it gives you CASH leverage with your banker. Faster cash flow steadily shows stability. Besides I hate making collection calls, absolutely hate it........

I wish you the best.

 

I'm not able to send a PM due to not reaching 50 post yet in the forum.

 

Daycabber, you can send him a message with your e-mail address. He can read it but can not reply due to you not having 50 post(s).

Kinghunter

 

Yes those are some examples of load boards. I once used multiple boards but today I have settled in on using just one. Against rules here to name them, I don't want to be accused of advertising. I found the brokers use almost all of them. 90% of the loads listed on one will also be on the next one.

Every load is a back haul for somebody somewhere, remember that. Never EVER let the broker know you are needing it for a back haul. They will abuse the opportunity to try and keep more money thinking you may be desperate. I believe you will find loads going to FL pay more than loads leaving. Trucking isn't a perfect science, you just have to make decisions as opportunities arise.

You are supposed keep 6 months of driver logs at your home office address available for inspection at all times. Or if in business less than 6 months all logs from the date you pulled the first load and the previous 7 days before the employee started driving for you if they worked somewhere else. A sheet the driver fills out claiming ours worked on previous 7 is sufficient or actual logs. The driver is supposed to be no more than 13 days behind of getting logs to the home office. When I was audited they only went through last 14 days of my logs. A comment was made about the fact I completely fill in every line and they looked good. So they stopped at that.

DOT isn't as messy as you may think. Just get a DVD or guide book if available where you are and go down the line one item at a time. They just want to see an effort is being made. My office is my home. They set up a notebook computer and printer on my kitchen table. As the inspector asked for an item I produced it, if I could. Overall it took 1.5 hours, not a bad experience though. It was very educational for me. I hear more JUNK comments made by drivers all the time that aren't even close to what actually took place. People just like a lot of drama I think?

As the physical truck goes, they only checked proper placement of numbers, tags and decals. The FMCSA does not audit IFTA records. This is done by the Dept. of revenue tax office should you ever be audited for IFTA. It is totally separate from FMCSA. All FMSCA will check is for the decal and the license, not the records. I'll leave that alone now, just get the info from a good source. You could pay a consultant $400 for their training DVD but the Law Enforcement has it for free. I trust their's more anyway.

One more thing. AFS just wants as much info as they can get. I would just fill in "Open to any broker of freight" and for amount just enter a ? or a hopefull number and note it as such. They will need copies of your cab card/cards IFTA license, bank info and everything. Make sure you are complete before trying to set up. The contract is pretty long but you only need to do it once. Good Luck!

 

Thanks Brickman.

I use Truckstop...................