Booking loads from load boards - how much work is it?

It's just that they're not that good either. They're "competetive"!

Sorry Adam, just couldn't help myself. Merry Christmas!

 

My customer asked me to quote a flatbed lane Birmingham Al to Ephrata Pa. Only rate tool I have is DAT which says FB line haul rate is $2.40 and fuel is $.58 for a all inclusive rate to customer $2.98 times miles 850 = $2533. I look at DAT loads and see a similar load posted $1700-1900 which I feel is cheap for this and call a couple of companies I deal with to see if they were in the area there what would it cost. Send a couple of emails to regulars to quote me but the fact is who will have the capacity when/if needed and want to go to Ephrata PA which isn't the best area for a reload. I read all the time where a lot of people here hate brokers calling to see what their rate is. I call asking that because if they are under the load I want them to be happy with the rate. So if I go higher to my customer than the $2.98 I will probably not get the load. When/if I get the load I will try to move it for $2200-$2300 by reaching out to my regulars 1st and then posting it for $2100 so I can pay up to $200 more for a carrier who calls with a clean safety record who will need/want more to be happy since he/she never dealt with me before and might need some deadhead miles payed. This is my method I use to quote/cover lanes where I have no experience. Please advise me if you have another way that works. I'm no genius and always learning.

 

It varies depending on how much freight there is but on average I'd say I make 50 calls over a 2-3 day period to find a load.

Obstacle #1 is lack of trust in the broker.
Obstacle #2 is the amount of DH miles I would have in the load (which drives up my rate, but doesn't mean the offered rate is bad.)
Obstacle #3 is just a crap rate even if I have zero DH in the load.

30% - 50% of the time. Way too much. It's ridiculous actually.

 

I am also tired of the load being posted for Salt Lake City, for example and when I call it is actually in Rock Springs, WY, shows. It's listed for 1 pick, 1 drop and in actuality it has 2 picks and 3 drops...

 

You have to be "Crafty" when it comes to the load boards. You scan them and see 1 load that 2 or 3 different brokers might have. Call all 3 and get the best price.
When using non carrier load boards as a rule of thumb the TQL, UTI, OFS, etc. I generally stay away from because you know it's cheap and a bunch of games therefore a waste of time.
It's a 50/50 chance the load is gone and some lamebrain didn't remove the load. It's also a "Trickbag" they use to get you to take something else they have to offer.
I look at load boards like the Stock Market when searching for loads. Use your head, if it's too good to be true then it is. Just make a "No Call List" of brokers and save your time and effort.
Once you build a good relationship with some brokers and do them a good job they will remember that and start calling you and offering you more $$ in return.

 

Not putting weight, extra stops, etc is just a lazy broker. Not the end of the world just doesn't allow you to do your home work before making the call. But posting in different area is an immediate "no thanks".

At once I had a large no call list but my drivers have taught me that even TQL, CHR, etc. can have great rates and if you get the right person will work with you. It is all about you always playing it straight even when the broker doesn't.

 

I don't just negotiate price. I also negotiate the terms. Some brokers won't accept any change to their contracts and some contracts/terms are just too bad (unacceptable). I sometimes turn down loads that have an acceptable rate and ok pick up and delivery appointments but the terms of the contract are unacceptable. The most time consuming part is setting up with a broker for the first time because that's when the master contract is dealt with. Once an acceptable master contract is in place it's much easier to handle an exception on a rate confirmation. I've had brokers/agents tell me "oh no, our contract isn't complicated it's just four pages." Yeah, four pages of me waiving all my rights and doing away with common transportation law and accepting as much liability and risk as possible in four pages! I think not.