Third party dispatch?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by MrPlow, Oct 19, 2013.

  1. truckon

    truckon Swamp Thing

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    Like I'd tell you!
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    It's really a matter of if the dispatch is a better negotiator then you or not, from some of the replies I'm beginning to think people book loads at the posted price, I don't work that way nor do any of the dispatchers I've had... I get premium dollar on every load.




    Its actually easy, just see what you make without a dispatch, then see what you make with one and you will know if you need one or not.
    The biggest problem I see with business owners in this industry is that they think one shoe fits all, to make the big bucks you have to have a open mind.
     
    281ric Thanks this.
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  3. 281ric

    281ric Road Train Member

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    From What Ive read, Id bet your a better negotiator than a lot of single truck independents, although I might not be as good as you, I know for the most part I can get better than average rates. A guy can run a ton of miles and run himself & his equipment ragged and have a huge fuel bill , or he can pay you a fee , get better than average rates and run either less miles or the same amount of miles at a higher rate netting more profit..

    assuming you would want do dispatch o/o.... LOL.
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2014
  4. Luisalba08

    Luisalba08 Bobtail Member

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    How's it going guys. A lot of information about dispatching. Currently I been dispatching for 2 uncles of mine. They one day called me explaining what a dispatcher did gave me some insight on what I needed to do and I started hoping on load boards. The first thing they told me was to never book them anything under $2/mile. I been doing this for about 6 months and everything has been great. It's not as easy, Nor as hard as a lot of people say. A lot of work does go into it. Patience, time and a great customer service is needed. One uncle has his own load board, but doesn't have the time to make a run, and then book a load. Good loads that get posted get booked within minutes. This is why my uncles have me do it for them. Someone booking you a load higher paying load could be worth the service fee at times. My question to you guys, whats a good reasonable fee? I see a lot of post about dispatchers booking low paying loads. I wouldn't see the advantage in that. Given that the more a dispatcher can get you ( the driver) for a load would essentially mean the dispatcher makes more money. Given the fee is based off a %. Thanks guys!
     
  5. owop

    owop Bobtail Member

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    I would have to agree, My husband just landed a gig as an owner operator, first week but the rates have been a steady $2.40 per mile and he is only paying the company 16 percent. Who knows if this is a norm as the last company he was nowhere near that. I couldn't imagine paying 15 percent for dispatching only. Look around, there are really good companies out there.
     
  6. MimiK

    MimiK Bobtail Member

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    I see there is some back and forth on third party dispatching. I personally have never driven a truck; however, I have been a dispatcher and safety coordinator for a large trucking company in El Paso. I have started brokering loads. I have had some trouble building a truck base on my own and have the customers but very few trucks. I have been going kicking around the idea of just doing third party dispatch. I would have no idea how much to charge; obviously not 15% most brokers take at least 10% off of every load and some take a whole lot more. I would prefer refers and vented vans since most of my freight is produce. However, I would not know where to begin looking for owner/ops interested in a third party dispatch. I guess here is as good of a place to start to figure out what owner/ops think of 3rd party. All thoughts and opinions would be welcome. Please no bashing; just looking for some thoughts.
     
    kimbosa Thanks this.
  7. MimiK

    MimiK Bobtail Member

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    Kimbosa I tried to reply to your message however; I am not able to.
     
  8. MimiK

    MimiK Bobtail Member

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    HGDS I feel the same way. Being on both sides of the boat; I see how brokers screwed the truck. The bad ones give us professional and honest ones a bad name.
     
  9. kimbosa

    kimbosa Medium Load Member

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  10. afterburn25

    afterburn25 Medium Load Member

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    many people believe that they are losing money by having a dispatcher but that is not the case at all in fact you make way more having someone dispatching loads they do more then dispatch a good dispatching service also does your paperwork invoicing and carrier packets they also pre plan your loads so soon as you unload your going to your next pick up imagine u been driving for 8 hours you deliver your load now you go back to truckstop to look for a load out its already noon all the good paying freight is gone and chances are you wont find anything til tomorrow but your also tired and dont feel much like looking in the first place this tends to happen offten enough however with a dispatcher your never stopped trust me i went from making 1500 a week to making 5-6000 a week gross it def pays having one around
     
  11. BAYOU

    BAYOU Road Train Member

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    You have good points yes there are lots of loads we miss out on but I've never only made $1,500 a week I did $6,700 last week on 2,400 miles only moved three loads in four days I had two booked before I ever left the house!
     
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