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Does anyone negotiate any more

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by indspirit, Jan 27, 2015.

Page 3 of 5
  1. Jan 28, 2015 #21
    Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

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    I expect he's referring to emails re: direct shipper loads that are sent to potential carriers and brokers.
     
    Ruthless, Jan 28, 2015
    Ruthless, Jan 28, 2015
    #21
    BigBadBill Thanks this.
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  3. Jan 28, 2015 #22
    BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    If that is the case then he is talking about some of the cheapest freight that around. Book 100 of those in a week and you may be able to afford a happy meal.
     
    BigBadBill, Jan 28, 2015
    BigBadBill, Jan 28, 2015
    #22
    ruffrider, rollin coal and Ruthless Thank this.
  4. Jan 28, 2015 #23
    rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    Yeah never mind though - the evil middleman got cut out so high fives and backslaps all around.
     
    rollin coal, Jan 28, 2015
    rollin coal, Jan 28, 2015
    #23
    BigBadBill and SheepDog Thank this.
  5. Jan 28, 2015 #24
    RedForeman

    RedForeman Momentum Conservationist

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    Why don't you just ask for a rate instead of trying to be a wise guy with a low ball quote? If you were really trying to find quality carriers and not just make a score on that load, you'd invest a little bit in your banter too.
     
    RedForeman, Jan 28, 2015
    RedForeman, Jan 28, 2015
    #24
    SheepDog and BigBadBill Thank this.
  7. Jan 28, 2015 #25
    indspirit

    indspirit Light Load Member

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    Thanks for the replies everyone it helps me understand things better. When I'm calling a new carrier or they call me it's not a matter of low balling it's a matter of I'm trying to figure out what they need to run their truck. So I will start a little bit lower and go up from there. Just like all of you I'm just trying to find the best rates I can. I tried asking new carriers when they call about a load what they need to run the load and most of them will not tell me and say just give me your rate. So I stopped asking them that question. Although I had a carrier call me about a load I had asked him what he need to run the load and he told me. He was $300 under my "low ball" offer". He was a new O/O 6 months I think so I started chatting with him about his operation. I was satisfied and willing to give him a chance so I told him if he wants the load I can give it to him for $400 above what he was asking. Sure I could have made a killing off of him for that load but I wanted him as a new carrier more. Now he does loads for me on a regular basis for a company I was having a hard time finding trucks for. I'm thinking most of them that call me off load boards are not O/O but small to mid size trucking companies and I'm talking to dispatch not the driver.
     
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2015
    indspirit, Jan 28, 2015
    indspirit, Jan 28, 2015
    #25
  8. Jan 28, 2015 #26
    brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    You and me both, BBB.
     
    brsims, Jan 28, 2015
    brsims, Jan 28, 2015
    #26
    BigBadBill Thanks this.
  9. Jan 28, 2015 #27
    indspirit

    indspirit Light Load Member

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    I'm not trying to make more money than you just trying to run a business. Any good O/O will make as much or more than me a year good for them they are running a business too.
     
    indspirit, Jan 28, 2015
    indspirit, Jan 28, 2015
    #27
    SheepDog and BigBadBill Thank this.
  10. Jan 29, 2015 #28
    SheepDog

    SheepDog Road Train Member

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    I have a question for all you Solo Flatbed/Step IC's/O/O's... Especially those that find there own loads, off load boards. How and the hell do you find the time, to find loads? When I was pulling reefer, I had all kinds of time and would usually book enough freight for the week but, I am a day behind and a dollar short pulling this step. Not sure if this is where to put this but, let me know if I need to start a new thread. I am also thinking of asking someone on here to be my mentor. I have been pondering it but, not quite sure I want to or not. Give me your thoughts.. Sorry to the OP for highjacking his thread.
     
    SheepDog, Jan 29, 2015
    SheepDog, Jan 29, 2015
    #28
    rank Thanks this.
  11. Jan 29, 2015 #29
    Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

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    Well, if you're only using brokers, start simple: one drop in the am, one pick in the late am/ early pm. Then find the pick for tomorrow late am/ early pm. Then run, making your shower and fuel stops later in the day after business has concluded.
     
    Ruthless, Jan 29, 2015
    Ruthless, Jan 29, 2015
    #29
  12. Jan 29, 2015 #30
    brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    Meadville, PA
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    Well, I'm not an O/O (nor do I play one on TV) but I some brokering for O/O's. As best I can see, either they use my loads to position the truck to pick up their own loads coming back, or they set their entire trip (out and back) before they leave. I would guess the best thing to do would be to find a lane you like, discover the rates on that lane, and either find a couple of DECENT brokers that work both ends of that lane or some direct shippers on both ends you can reliably service.

    Just a thought from my peewee brain.
     
    brsims, Jan 29, 2015
    brsims, Jan 29, 2015
    #30
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