Broker vs marketing

You are describing a dispatcher, not a marketer... O/Os deal with brokers so they have access to loads they otherwise wouldnt have access to.

 

Manny I believe what you are describing is correct. One time a fellow called me and said he would do just that. Being a one man band a salesman (marketer) would be very beneficial. He asked me who or what businesses I serviced. He was to call on similar clients. It all sounded good. He had a very impressive web site and was going to put me in touch with the people to develop one for my self, all for a very reasonable rate per month. Only thing was he did not have a office in Peach Tree Plaza in Atlanta. He lived in Chicago.

 

You are correct, there are solo dispatchers who handle several o/os and can find them loads... but even they will use brokers to find loads for their drivers, and they probably aren't easy to find.

People use brokers to get access to freight they otherwise wouldnt have access to. Some larger shippers just don't want to deal with smaller operations, so they work with only large carriers and brokers.

 

I was thinking about this the other day and stumbled upon someone on Linkedin that acts like a transportation service sales agent for a few carriers he represents. He used to work in sales for a few mid/large size trucking companies, so I guess he took some of his direct accounts and started his own gig. He most likely charges a fee obviously, thus connecting his own clientele with a few carriers.

 

brokers are very crucial to the industry you cant throw them to the dogs they are professinal marketers, negotiators, salesmans, and deserve the miney they earn.

 

Sammybp you are right. However they are not employed by the carrier.

 

Sounds like you want to skirt the rules and not have a $75,000 broker bond. What you are suggesting here is to offer a service exactly like every other broker out here offers. You have no assets and will get access to the exact same leftovers and excess freight that every other broker gets access to. After the direct carrier(s) has covered what they wanted. That stuff never pays a premium unless trucks are tight. Your freight will be subject to the exact same market pressures as everyone elses. You might have a handful of accounts that pay well and do so consistently. You will have to earn that kind of business because no-one gives it away.