How to get direct shippers, cutting out the (Thieves, this is my opinion), brokers

Brickman · Jun 16, 2007

The brokers have a little more expense than that.
Besdies if that was all it took to be broker, wouldn't we all be doing it?
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MANY MANY brokers do just fine on 8% to 15% of the gross. You can talk to the day you die and I'll never be convinced that any thing over that is any thing more than highway robbery.

Honest brokers are few and far between.

pktruckdriver · Jun 17, 2007

Well it seems that I've gotten alot of info here, but it seems to me that the overall consensus isn that I nneed to learn from my mistakes.

Otherwords, trial and error, though I was hoping to avoid some of the pitfalls out there if I could. I know finding good brokers will probally cost me money going thru many bad ones to find the 1 good one out there.

Finding the small shippers in my area is great advice and I have been working on that for a few months now and have got 3 shippers willing to try me out, though I feel my knowledge of pricing a load is not up to par, I know the doe website has the fuel surcharge rates, right?? And then is there a website that gives a rate index to go off of to get and idea what rates to charge a shipper that is competitive enough to get there business??

Also when it comes to Factoring your loads, who do you think is better and why? Recourse or Non-Recourse Does it have a fuel card to use?
How does it pay and does it have alot of brokers approved or very little?

Again thanks for all your replys here as I am too stubborn to not make it as an O/O.

Hub City · Jun 18, 2007

Eskimo6804 said: ↑

Pktruckdriver you are absolutely right. Many of the successful small business owner ops. are very reluctant to help the "new" guys. We tend to keep things close to the vest because we know that knowledge is power. He who has the most knowledge in any game will ultimately be the winner. The question is; How do you gain that needed knowledge? The answer is; You play the game and get your butt kicked. By that I mean that you must never make the same mistake twice. Learn from your mistakes and adjust your business accordingly. You will survive and scrape by on shear determination and work ethic for awhile, but you will be much better off if you learn from your own mistakes than trying to do what others tell you. This will give you a much better appreciation for what you have accomplished.

I will give you one tidbit of "knowledge" though as a general starting point. To begin finding direct shipper frieght, go to all of the small "mom & pop" companies in your area that ship in very low volume.( 1 or 2 loads a week type volume) These are considered the small players in shipping and thus get no attention from the large carriers or brokers.(the schneiders,jb hunts, and ch robbingsome's of the world) Just make an appointment to talk to the shipping manager/plant manager/owner....whomever is charged with finding carriage of their product. Don't try to be someone you're not as these people appreciate hard working small business people because that is what they are. Make sure you go in with a professional appearance and attitude and have your ducks in a row. If you go in acting like the stereotypical trashy truck driver and without a solid grasp of your own business capabilities, they will see right through you. Many times you can talk them into giving you a chance to pull one load. Keep in mind that that is the only chance you will get so don't blow it. Pick up early, deliver early, with no damage and a great attitude and they may give you more loads. It is a slow process but well worth the effort.

Hope this helps, and good luck to you.
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Man-O-MAN!
This is the best post I've read around here in some time! Not that other posts aren't good I just think this one is well written, honest and by golly, sums up nicely just how to do it RIGHT! People ALWAYS buy from people and at the level you discribed, a good guy will get all the work he needs or wants. Unfortunately, not everyone qualifies!

Thanks for your insight, Eski!

Carolina_Beaver_Teaser · Jun 18, 2007

Brickman said: ↑

MANY MANY brokers do just fine on 8% to 15% of the gross. You can talk to the day you die and I'll never be convinced that any thing over that is any thing more than highway robbery.

Honest brokers are few and far between.
Click to expand...

I wasn't saying they deserve more than 8 to 10%, just it does take a little more expense than a bedroom , laptop and a phone.

And I agree, actually anything more than 10% is highway robbery, and we won't even open the can of worms about net due.

Carolina_Beaver_Teaser · Jun 18, 2007

Personally against factoring. Period . One it looks bad to good broker. Two, why pay another % to some one, just to get your hard earned money?!?!

Several good brokers out there that pay in 24 hrs of clean BOL ( faxed) with out sticking you.
Surely you have enough $$ put back to operate for at least 48 hrs, Don't you?

Will send PM with some info. that helped me

pktruckdriver · Jun 19, 2007

I got your PM and I run a "Vented Dry Van" and my partner runs a reefer out of Muncie,In. I will look into those people, but we try to stay in the US if possible.

Now Factoring provides me with a fuel card to help me keep track most expenses as well as keeping my cash flow fluid enough for me. Yes I have some cash stashed for emergencies ,but prefer to run on my revenue.

Gotta go now will continue this later, again thank you all for you responses.

uncledave · Jun 28, 2007

I recommend you take a look at Real Time Freight Services. It is an online load board for shippers to post their available freight directly. The Carrier membership if very reasonable considering the number of direct shippers they have across the 48 and Canada. Great way to network and secure freight yourself. Hope this helps!

pktruckdriver · Jul 3, 2007

Thanks Man I will check it out and it does seem reasonably priced too.

anewrider · Jul 22, 2007

Hi,
I was thinking of becoming an o/o using a Dodge Sprint van with a GVWR of 9,990 lbs. Because this vehicle is under 10,001 lbs, it is not considered a commercial vehicle and does not require me to keep logs or stop for scales. My question: Do you know of any brokers that deal with small loads, around 2 tons, that need to be transported long distances? Any info or leads would be appreciated.

firstcallgreg · Mar 27, 2008

Brickman said: ↑

LOTS OF HARD WORK. Thats how you get your direct shippers. Not all brokers are thieves, as I've worked for a couple honest ones in my time. But most are, taking up to 30% or more of the line haul and their only expense is their computer and other office equipment and office. Usually a room in their house.

As for going to the shippers you've brokered thru, I don't have a problem with it. Usually your load confirmation paper work has a non compete clause in it from the broker. Stating that you won't try to direct solicit their customer for a set period. Usually one year from the last date you've hauled for that broker. The only way thats enforced is if the broker catches you and is able to prove in court that you breached the contract.
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Thats creepy* Just tell him to mail post cards to shippers where he wants to go and where he lives to develope his own shipper relationships. Why teach him to back stab a good broker if they are so hard to find.

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