load boards 101

Excellent thread....

 

Internet truckstop is my favorite. I can speed post multiple loads at once and it saves me time because I can keep the origin and just change the other particulars. It's a smooth transition from screen to screen and even gives me a rate index built in so I know I'm not lowballing someone before I post what we're trying to pay on a load.

Afterwards, I can truck match the loads that I believe are going to be harder to cover because of their geolocation and it gives me the trucks in the area, and autoupdates the list every 60 seconds. In addition, I can hit the "hot prospects" button and it will give me a list of trucks available that most closely match the lane I've posted. I've never done a load search on it, so I couldn't tell you much about that. But I like it far better than DAT.

When I post loads on the LS load board, it posts to our BCO's first, then after a short time period it auto posts to the broker load board, which evidently is free to view (thanks Fortycal, I didn't know that.) The thing I like the most is it sends out load alerts to the drivers who have set their parameters. After it does that, supposedly it will then post my loads automatically to DAT.

Both have their benefits and pitfalls, but I far prefer ITS to our own simply because of the features it has. I no longer use any of the others.

I'm not crazy about getloaded and IMO, DAT is way outdated for the cost. I'd recommend ITS to anyone and other than that, would say stick to the free load boards out there through the various mega carriers. I'm not positive, but I seem to remember reading on TTR somewhere that Mercer, CRST, and Schneider all have their own broker load boards. Hopefully someone here can confirm that or correct me if I'm wrong.

 

That would essentially be what you have to do. You know what you need minimum anyway and shouldn't be pulling for less than that unless you're not wanting to empty DH to a better pay freight area and want to just pay for your fuel out there.

As far as what to do. Get to know people, prove yourself and people will be calling you. There are many people who have done loads for us and have done a fantastic job who we now call after our BCO's but before posting it to a load board to see if they are in the area and want the freight. I'm also willing to pay them a premium rate because I know they are going to get the job done and not try and double broker a load, or pull some kind of fast move that results in our freight getting damaged or not delivered on time.

As far as spotting scammers, I would think one of the easiest things you can do is only haul for brokers/agents who you can confirm are contracted/employed with a large company who handles the accounts payables. The company pays you, not the broker, so you know you're most likely going to get paid as compared if you go with a brokerage that is not and only has a $10,000 bond if they close their doors.

The next thing you can do on places like ITS and DAT when you pay for the upgraded services is see their credit rating, their days to pay, and rating amongst drivers. I always found this an interesting feature but have personally never had a need for it since I'm not on the driving side.

 

This has been the frustrating and slowest part for me but I've only been at this game for 5 months now. A buddy of mine leased on here too already has one broker calling him and loading him up with good paying freight. I have that contact info as well but have yet to use it. Always give the same top notch service regardless if it's a run of the mill load with an uninterested broker who doesn't care (as long as there are no problems of course) or one of those brokers who really needed a truck to move something and paid very well for it. I just wonder what you guys on that side of it see from MC# etc? I have established myself with a couple of brokerages having done several loads for the same person over the course of these months. A few brokers stand out above others in some regards, difficult to put that in words here, just an instinctive thing. I suppose my biggest handicap is this dry box I'm pulling. I don't know if I'll ever get solidly established as long as I'm hooked to it. Nothing I can do about that for the time being but keep trying... ..it is aggravating though all the chaff that is out here in dry van world..

 

Hey Grav, are you going to go under your own authority or under someone elses (like leasing to landstar)? A good way to learn about dealing with brokers, agents, etc would be leasing to someone like Landstar and using their loadboard without some of the hassle you will experience under your own authority. Once you get some good experience then you could venture out on your own.

 

This right here is the best advise you will ever get on this forum pertaining to this situation!!!

 

@Les I was hoping that wasnt you being smartypants LOL

@grav Since I am leased with American Transport Inc out of Pittsburgh, PA (yes I just pimped them again ) I use their loadboard and they all pretty much use ITS. I also have aligned myself with different agents, one I use all the time. The loadboard is broke down like this. From city,state to city,state ...trailer needed (unless power only)...description of product..weight of product...miles to be driven....gross (linehaul plus FSC) pay ...agent number (so you can find adress and number of agent when you hover over it) and then notes. Notes has tarp, no tarp or anything else you might need like coil racks, dunnage, v-boards, etc. You ask the agent what linehaul is paying and what the FSC pays but before you do, use your calculator before the call.

I always do some research before taking loads. I cant stress that enough RESEARCH as you gotta know what freight is doing in an area. Is it hot, is it cold are they paying and what? Use a loadboard to your advantage.

 

You must really be happy their.