Brokers

I think all of these bash the broker threads are silly. Quote the load and roll the dice. Why take it personally? Leave some meat on the bone for the broker as best you can and quote honestly and fairly and then just move along if no agreement can be made.

 

Thanks, and remember, as a carrier you are legally allowed to ask how much a broker has in it and he has to be honest..

 

Hmm, brokers tell me all the time that all they have in the load is $1 per mile )))

 

Tim77,

im assuming you thought I did NOT understand how it works, I do, Been in this morbid game a long time. I understand business 101, I agree with most of your points.....

I 'feel' the hesitation in many broker tactics I(As in scared) to protect not only themselves..But the carriers they business with.Just to hold onto said customer.

Prior to Deregulation, Rates were ALWAYS dictated by said carrier (Back in those days many shippers had their own truck line).. The ones who didn't became became near not far from strict rates..Or it didn't move.

Uniuon carriers and Independents made up 80% of all Common movement. The Few Brokers involved did NOT ,I repeat Did NOT horse around with rates,(Whether it was screwing around with carriers OR the Customer itself), It was their best interest not to.

But that was a different time. NOW, Since Deregulation, It allowed any Tom,Dick or Harry to become a Common/contract Carrier and same goes for the Broker market.

Shippers Sold all their Trucks to significantly cut down on costs..And Bidding Wars started...

Do I agree carriers SHOULD put standards on all Lanes ? You Better Believe it! But as you stated, way too Many Novice people in this Industry Working For minimal cost.

Oh,1 last point.....You had stated that the broker 'must' disclose what said shipment is 'honestly' paying,
Lol, Save your breath, Doesn't happen, And If a carrier were to politely ask, I would Assume 2 things,
1. The Broker will not be honest or
2.The Broker would feel intimidated by the knowledge and Move on to a less educated carrier.

Yes,its the Law, But Brokers don't want Transparency, You know that.

 

WHO CARES what the broker makes!!!???????? Quote what you need to make and THAT IS IT! Some people on these thread just overthink things and must be jealous of someone making money other than themselves...

Do you care how much the steel processing center is selling a coil for!? Do you give a rats ### how much LG is making on a load of TV's? Does anyone give 2 poops about how much profit is in a truck load of friggin bottled water!? Go after those millions!

 

I like picking off the shippers. I quote the shippers what I can do it for, and the broker is left holding the bag.

 

This happens a lot. I will have a good customer and find a carrier that meshes well with them, run 2-3 loads, then next thing you know they are going direct to the shipper and I have to find a new customer. No biggie, I made a few hundred bucks, now on to the next shipper. If the carrier doesn't want to poach the shipper, fine I'll milk it a little longer.
I see the money I make between paring up shipper and carrier as my match makers fee. Then I find another shipper and carrier to marry.

 

So you don't have your carriers sign anything that says they will not steal your customer for a year or whatever? And you don't mind when someone steals your customers and takes money from your family?

 

Well a few things here. No they do not sign anything like that. First it would be silly for the carrier to do so and 2nd, I don't have the time or resources to track that.

Next I do not own my customers, and I have no guarantee that they will keep working with me. So no one can steal them. Also they are not stealing money from my family. I earn what I expect from each load. If the customer sticks with me, I did something right, if not I failed them in some way and they have every right to go to someone else.

Also I should note the carriers tend to come in and take a lane or 2. I still have the customer and if they were happy with me they will ask for assistance on another lane.