I have noticed that the big players in the digital freight broker space are really gaining momentum.
What do you guys think about the direction load boards are going in? Do you think there is a place for a disrupter in this space?
My experience with ITS / DAT as a broker has always been that there is a lack of personalization between myself and the truckers, I feel that there are still lots of 'spray and pray' tactics that's put us in a tough position to negotiate etc. I'd love to see more transparency between how we cover spot freight.
What do y'all think?
Where are load boards heading?
Discussion in 'Freight Broker Forum' started by FreightMike, Mar 10, 2021.
Page 1 of 2
-
-
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
-
What exactly do you mean by transparency? It's a buzzword that gets used a lot. Imo the brokerages that have their own internal loadboards are the disrupters or at least the ones that do it very well are. They don't need DAT or ITS. Fortunately for DAT and ITS not very many brokerages have figured it out.
Mattflat362, Lite bug, 86scotty and 2 others Thank this. -
There seems to be a lack of transparency created by the posting tactics used by both carriers and brokers that leads to a lot of inefficiencies. More transparency in the form of load/truck details, rates, carrier/broker quality, and even posting habits may lead to less time being wasted on both sides.
I think you bring up a great point about digital brokerages who have their own load boards. They’ve been able to personalize their access to the carriers in their network and maximize engagement on their freight. It’s something that’s tough for small or mid-sized brokers to replicate when they’re using load boards.rollin coal Thanks this. -
I stick to bigger brokers 99% to avoid headaches - all of them have their own load boards. I have not done a new broker-carrier setup in over two years now.
I STILL use more expensive version of DAT and the cheapest version of ITS for reference and market reconnaissance - big guys sometimes post in their load boards for less than in DAT and ITS and the very fact they they duplicate their posts may give additional ounce of information - at least, it let you know that they want to push the load.
Brokers with their own apps and bidding ability are already transparent in the sense that you know who they are and you don't have to call them to find out details needed for finalizing the deal (with the exception fo CH Robinson and Schneider, their posts don't have info on shipper/receiver and commodity). Also, I find it easier to be more greedy over the keyboard vs. over the phone. They still call and try to soften you down but at least you know that they took the bait.
DAT and ITS will be fine in the nearest future but it is hard to imagine any real competition. For example, I did subscribe to 123 Loadboard for over a year, and it was a well designed and functional load board with nice features and a nice mobile app - all of it was much better than ITS - but so what, if the number of loads posted there was nowhere near the other two?Last edited: Mar 12, 2021
Dale thompson, Mattflat362, Dino soar and 2 others Thank this. -
I am amazed by how lousy CHRW's internal loadboard is. I would put them in the category that doesn't do it very well. I'm assuming for the CHRW core and key carriers (of which we are not) that what they see is probably different than what I see though. They could sure use an upgrade on it but they have well over 100 years of success in this business so its hard to argue with their results. But things can always be improved on.
I used to book a lot of freight with them several years ago but now only very rarely. The rates were always good. And having a decent point of contact with them is the same as it is with any mega-brokerage or brokerage period. I agree with you in general megas versus small time brokers and I also never book with smaller brokers. Megas have options everywhere and that is useful. They also have good credit. On those rare occasions when I post my truck if someone calls and we aren't already set up, I hang up.Last edited: Mar 14, 2021
Dale thompson and TallJoe Thank this. -
I think that the main reason why I stay away from the new set ups is that I have grown to resent those obscure, ambiguous contract paragraphs and things they want me to agree with. Almost every one of them has something that I have a problem with, either by lack of comprehension of what exactly they try to make me agree with or my own overinterpretation. And there is never time to consult with a lawyer, even if I knew any.Dale thompson and 86scotty Thank this. -
Seems like a lot of people more and more prefer no contact type automated boards. I think there is going to be a tug of war between the two where at times the automated boards actually perform with higher rates then placing calls the more traditional way.
Joe seems to be performing at a high level lately on the more bid type automated boards. The traditional method of placing calls I think will win out during more lean times. However, due to Joes results I’m wondering if maybe a more traditional style phone call operation like my own would be smart to make sure we’re playing both sides.
I had somewhat assumed the bid style would be lower rates as there seems to be more and more english language struggling carriers but maybe that doesn’t matter at all. Time will tell.Last edited: Mar 19, 2021
Dale thompson, Brettj3876, TallJoe and 2 others Thank this. -
She said no matter what you sign if you're working for a broker it's in their favor. If it's something you really can't deal with you have to just go find your own freight. But if you're working for a broker whatever is in that agreement guaranteed it's all for them and against you.
So for me I do read through the agreements if it's a new broker but I just look for outrageous things. Often they're not in the agreement they're in the rate con.
Like there was one company that the agreement was okay but on the rate con they said that if for some reason any reason any reason whatsoever the receiver refused the load whoever's fault it was or was not I would agree to haul the load back to the shipper at like fifty cents a mile. That went straight into the trash.
And the other thing that she said was that on the rate con and I suppose in the agreement, if layover and detention and truck ordered not used is nowhere in there they don't have to pay you anything.Midwest Trucker and TallJoe Thank this. -
One wonders.p608, Midwest Trucker, God prefers Diesels and 1 other person Thank this. -
drivinhome and PPDCT Thank this.
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
Page 1 of 2