Dealing with the brokers - what's the best way?

Very helpful thanks. So where do you do the credit checks on a shipper/broker? I understand it's about how they pay etc.. correct? Also I understand post your trucks but like hearing what are the best and most used sites you drivers using these days? Thanks again for info.

 

If you use a factoring company or have used one to factor a load you can call them up or go to their website and they will do a credit check for you for free. With ITS back than if you factored at least 2 loads a month you could use the loadboard for credit checks.Or if you didn't factor any loads it would cost around 35.00 a month for the service. There used to be one place called RTS that did credit checks for 9.00 each. A credit check shows their bond status and average days to pay. Anything over 45 days is considered slow pay. With some brokers you can negotiate to get paid half up front and the other half after you empty out if they are known to be a slow payer.

 

Now look forward to these responses from this............................... MY BIGGEST?SCARIEST thing I think daily of being going into this O/O is I KNOW i have to change is ...... Driving like old days. Running like a fool and fast (5 over SL). No fear of failing but knowing I have to change and think as a owner and slow down and save fuel. Maybe be easier on myself once seeing that money fly out of my pocket for fuel hu????

 

You are incorrect in your assumptions. We have been in business for over 20 years and make a product in high demand. I do not have any trouble getting my product moved. I am fair with my rates and my Let me ask you a question... Who do you think pays the brokers...? It's a direct shipper that pays the brokers and they take their cut from you. Brokers do not ship their own loads. You will make more money if you cut out the brokers. I promise those brokers you work for are taking at least $100 from every load you carry.

 

And so what.... I get my rate. Do you understand the concept of value? Company I'm leased to takes a cut, they've also sent several $10's of thousands of business my way that otherwise would not have been there.... I can't tell you the times I've quoted a huge, outrageous I'm sure in your opinion, rate to a broker and they go to the customer and ask for the money. Many times. It's so easy with some freight at certain times of the year that it's like taking candy from a baby. $3.50 a mile on 600 miles, uh, uh, uh, ok... lol... not every time mind you but enough.. why in the world if i could tap into that with consistency would I waste my time with your cheap freight directly? And how many dry van shippers out here have contracted carriers who charge like that? Most, not all but most, of the shippers I work with don't even bother with small trucking companies... ....so what, who cares, if they're getting a rate? Got one hanging by a thread right now begging for trucks and have my "option" on several loads, rates you would have a cow over.. I might not get one and guess what, I could care less....

 

Better than you. You are advising people to take less money. You are devaluing yourself. But you can get your rate, plus... It's great this works for you but the majority of drivers are getting screwed by brokers. I believe the way you defend them, that you must be a broker and not a driver. Our company policy is to never do business with the brokers. I have found several that do not have $75000 bond that has been required since Oct. I had some who stated they didn't think they had to have it yet. And this is who you are advising drivers to contract loads through. Maybe you should tell them who you work for specifically. They may be the only broker worth a nickel.

 

CompuNet Credit is a very good reporting agency. They have very good rates as well. Also, Internet Truckstop and DAT offer some credit info on shippers and carriers.

 

It is not possible for a broker to pay more than a shipper. The broker is being paid by the shipper. Brokers do not have physical loads. They call me and ask for my rate and then undercut the trucks.

 

You are correct most drivers allow themselves to get screwed over by brokers AND by direct shippers. Trucking is not for someone who can't think on the fly. The cure for those ills is education. There are enough regular members here who know me personally and have seen my truck along with rate confirmations who know I don't mess around... I get it done on a RATE.

 

So a lot of O/O's pay to be on several load board sites? What's approx. how many one might use? IT, Dat, CHR and landstar you have to pay to be on or you just have to have a carrier packet approved?