Can I list a load?

Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by Brad_bb, Apr 16, 2021.

  1. Brad_bb

    Brad_bb Bobtail Member

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    I've shipped lumber/timber for my own build projects a number of times but have not had good experiences with brokers. Can I, as a private person list my own load on a load board anywhere for hotshots? In this day and age you'd think you'd be able to? If I'm not able to, how do you find a decent broker? There's a lot of youtube channels by hotshot guys, but not much at all to help with the shipping side of the equation. Thanks. Brad
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 16, 2021
    Reason for edit: Remove load offer
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  3. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    Wished I knew what to tell you.

    Interesting not a single reply from any of the all knowing.
     
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  4. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    You can most certainly buy a subscription for a Load Board, or use a Free one if you can. The question is, whether you can find someone willing to haul your freight. Brokers have bonds, to insure they pay. I occasionally see Shippers posting their Own Freight. The rate, and amount of time to pay, will play a big part in getting someone to haul it. Too often they’re trying to save the Brokers commission. Might want to research the Carriers safety rating before dealing with them. Good Brokers play a necessary role. Especially with sporadic freight, or the Spot market as it’s called, Shippers can’t guarantee how many or when they will have Loads. Carriers can’t guarantee if or when they’ll have a Truck in the area.
    You rang? Lol. I don’t claim to be all knowing. Only when I was younger. Lol.
     
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  5. Brad_bb

    Brad_bb Bobtail Member

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    Ok, I can see those points, but how do I find a decent broker? I'm sure that's a difficult question, because brokers are always trying to get carriers to do it for less and in my experience trying to get shippers to do it for more. My latest example is a lumber pallet 4'x10'x4'high, 2000LB. Indianapolis to VA 500mi. It's only a partial load and I think it should go for $500-$750. Broker tells me at least $1500 and she may not be able to even get it moved for that. At that price I might as well do it myself. It's just not worth shipping it for more than $750. But I'm feeling like she's snowing me? She never even answered my question as to whether she lists it on load boards for Hotshots. Is she out of line or am I? Have rates really changed so drastically? If so, you'd think you'd have a lot of new comers to the market driving the rates back down?
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2021
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  6. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    All I can say is call an LTL Carrier. See what a high rate really is. Compare cost against that. $1500 sounds a bit high, but I’m not surprised. Post it, see what happens. Might just find a flatbed with room, who's heading that way. Still since it’s heading East, not west, $800 or $1000 would probably be what it would take to get it moved. All depends on how urgent it is, and how much lead time you have. I’m just guessing. I really don’t know any more than you do.
     
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  7. Lite bug

    Lite bug Road Train Member

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    I agree with Rideandrepair call a LTL carrier. Try to find a flatbed going that way with room. A hotshot carrier with good safety rating and proper insurance should be able to do it for $ 1500 on 500 miles. taking into consideration he may have to return to Indy empty. That is how I figure pricing, in all likelihood my return trip is empty. A hotshot stays in business figuring all miles.
     
  8. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    Call Landstar.
     
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  9. MTN Boomer

    MTN Boomer Road Train Member

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    Try U ship,
     
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  10. Solo Driver

    Solo Driver Bobtail Member

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    I have shipped and had shipments picked up and transported to me as a private individual many times.

    Typically I go through a load board or service like Uship or through a broker. That means the middle man is somewhat on the hook and there is at least some accountability for the carrier - hotshot or not.


    On the carrier side - if I do not know you - and you are not a verifiable business - then chances are I would not haul anything for you anywhere. If I did it would cost you more (more risk of non-pay and likely more headaches and trouble) and probably require you to pay a significant deposit upfront before heading to pick up your load.

    In the case of a broker - if things go sideways that is why they have a $75 k bond. So the chances of getting paid are far better.

    But that's just me. Different people have different ideas...
     
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