Brokers Think They're Doing US A Favor

Yep. The EZ stops were 1.77. TA 1.76. Only saved $2 for 200 gals but they add up.

 

And then what? If anyone think rates to trucks will magically increase, One had better take an economics class. Look at any direct shipper on any load board and you will see that they are offering rates that will make you run to a broker. They have an online shipper to carrier load board...it's called uship. You can go on there right now and undercut the current lowest price to haul something for less than your operating costs.

Brokers don't cost o/o's money. Their negotiation skills and market conditions affect rates. Free markets are self correcting. When capacity was tight rates became obscene over night. 90% or more of the o/o's didn't even know the market rates had spiked until late 13 and others were still taking loads at below market rates until mid-14. Unfortunately, some never became aware. Ultimately, the rates attracted capacity, mostly individuals who knew and continue to know next to nothing about transportation.

Tell me what tools are at your disposal to determine rates? From what I've read on this forum, everyone boast's the cost plus model. How's that treating you? My guess is if you use this method, you're still wondering exactly when did rates go up???, and are trying to calculate just how much money you missed out on.

How many loads can an o/o move in a week? How many lanes can they be looking at at one time? Honestly think back over the last top 20 paying loads you hauled and tell us the results of the next load? Does took a good paying load to an area that you had to sit, took a low paying load out and complained how bad the rates were, or took the d/h route to avoid "hauling cheap freight" sound familiar? Too many o/o's are just out wandering the highways. they don't develop lanes and alternative lanes.

 

I use a credit if I see a place that would be cheaper then if I used a fuel card, fuel cards these days work at most places you can pull a rig into these days, just need to make sure its in their network or you'll pay the credit price plus a swipe fee, now that's no good lol

 

and then what? The world will be a better place

 

uShip? Seriously? I hope you are kidding!
I've found all of the supposed "shipper direct" boards pretty quickly get filled up with...yes....brokers. Unless they "ban" brokers it's just not going to happen, and how would that work? I could be wrong, but there isn't an online "board" for brokers to get shippers, that would just be silly- most pound the pavement to get their book, just like I do.

 

There has always been ways for shippers and truckers to connect. The reason brokers exist is because they provide a service that is needed by large shippers.

 

I'm not kidding. You can go on there right now and bid against your fellow competitors. That's what the uneducated are wishing. They just don't know the meaning of unintended consequences, market efficiency , or economies of scale.

They believe that brokers are taking a piece of what they deserve. They don't believe that there is a cost associated with finding a truck (they probably post their truck and wait for the phone to ring. Even though they paid for the load board and cell phone). They don't believe that price would decrease, as if the shipper would absorb the cost if the broker were not involved.They are under prepared, under funded, less than united, and frankly out witted.

Asset based companies can put brokers out of business, but they will never accomplish the very thing they desire. Why, because they won't go after it. They won't cut brokers off. They won't pound the pavement and be told no 1000 times to get 1 load.They want someone else to develop a market for them to operate in instead of creating the market they want. They are too busy undercutting other trucks.

The new American dream is a dream that everything I want will be given to me.

 

glock I'm pretty much in total agreement with you. the guys crying about brokers are the sake guys that have never made a legitimate attempt at getting a direct customer base.

 

I grew up the belt and have worked tooth and nail for everything I own. My grandparents raised 12 kids and 6 grandkids. Money wasn't something we had in any excess of. We were taught very early hard work and education was the only way to get by. Now when I myself complain about a brokers rates, the rates are more then likely below what the average is. Do I think we should deal with shippers directly? Yes. Every free moment I have I call, go by, or email a shipper to try to get my company in the door. Is it every day? No. But I put the work out there. I agree with spyder's since (pun intended) before complaining get out there and put the work in. We are a new company, I get told no thank you a 100 times a day and I smile and move on. I was stuck in ontario, ca but I got unstuck, put the work in and booked 3 small hops and Im actually making about a grand more then I usually do. I'm happy this week. Heck I even booked 2 of them through TQL and was happy with their rates. This is trucking and it is what it is.