Bad agents

All loads have fsc but they don't show the breakdown in the advertised gross (all in) rate. You find out the amount during your call wIth the agent. Fsc is calculated based on avg fuel prices by region posted each week for the previous week. If there is a fuel price spike, the fsc can be (not always) adjusted after the fact.
No such thing as a bad agent but there are owners that don't take the time to understand what they are signing up for.
Also, listed rates unless they are with a bonified direct agent (some posers) are often bid rates. This is not a "click on a load, get a load" kind of place. Not sure the number, but heard something like 30% of new bco's wash out in the first 6 months. I don't have super secret agents that call me at home, not in with the in crowd. Work exclusively from the board. I talk to 210 619 and 531 agents every day. I don't take much that's offered but some times they have load offers well above average. They call because I pick up, don't treat them poorly and keep the door open. (Not the left door) Have you considered Schneider?

 

Are you pulling van or platform?

On the platform side - only a very small percentage of the 210,513 and 619 agents have the slightest clue of what they're offering - they're just working off load lists from other brokers. They're not even based in the US - Ukraine, Philippines etc. There's usually no point in me talking to them - they still have to go through someone else to get the information you need.

rates are always negotiable - just tell them what you need and they can only check and say no.

My best advice is to find US based agents that have their own shippers, do a great job for them, and build a little book of 'good eggs' to call, or that call you.

I'm surprised they even run that 'webinar' thing these days - maybe they filter it out. "50,000 loads on the board" - is really only 5,000 - when you see the same load posted by 15 different agents - half the time the load is gone - hours or days ago, and they haven't removed it.

I don't even recommend them to guys pulling van - 65% LH is pretty steep pulling their trailer - you could buy your own, but then miss out on a lot of drop and hook. That $3/mile on the board will be $1.95 to your tractor on the loaded miles - I haven't looked at van for a while to see how the rates are.

When I started in 2015 I set my load alerts at $2.50/mile, some weeks there'd be 7 loads in a 300 mile radius - and they went pretty quick. When times get lean, you really want to have agents you've worked with that have decent customers to see you through, but even that's not a guarantee.

Hope some of that helps.

 

The way of The OM must you learn

 

It's certainly not for the general fool - but it does work for some. Even pulling company vans.

You have to set your sights high, and figure out (usually by looking REAL hard in the mirror), when you miss your mark - what the real problem is.

A few years back I found a gig close to the house in the winter-time that was loaded BBQ propane bottles from shipper to receiver, and empties back. 24/7 DIY load/unload - and I pulled a few loads because things had gotten slow.

Turns out, the regular drivers had some issues, which is why it popped up on the board - they were ex-PRIME drivers that had 'settled' on this gig and it paid about $1.50 - $1.60 to the truck for - what was to me - heavy and cheap, labor intensive junk.

My point is - if you came from rice and beans - and are quite happy with Chef Boyardee - then you'll never strive for caviar.

So, it's not something anyone can explain - but you'll figure it out as you go, until the point you 'settle' and it works for you. Or doesn't.

 

Clean your stove top please.

Is the OM always so judgmental ? He's pretty close to Pallas's cat in demeanour.