Rates/Shipping quote

Well said, the both of you. There's a time and a place for everything...brokers have their place to a certain degree, and I use them to enhance my revenue stream, not for survival. There is no substitute for a direct connection between shipper (customer) and carrier (trucker.) And as it was already said numerous times, it takes years and requires a lot of effort to build them.

One of the best lessons in life I learned that is similar to this is 2 years ago when I sold our last home without a broker involved at the end. For about 4 years we had it listed with a local real estate agent (broker) that swore they were going to get it sold in no time. Each time the contract was up for renewal, we received a call from the broker that they had a potential buyer (customer) that would like to see the place, has a big, giant bank account and will write a check for the place...but we needed to renew so they could proceed.

Each time we did that, the "customer" would vanish into thin air, vaporize. After 3 years of disappointments, I just reflected on it all and thought to myself, "if I can sell trucks, trailers, equipment, parts, pieces, and my services...then I can sell this property".

I sat down and wrote a long, drawn-out, full-of-BS description just exactly like the brokers do, creating a vivid picture of the surroundings and the advantages of living right there, posted it on Craigslist (of all places,) and sold it in ONE MONTH. Saved 8K dollars in brokerage fees and really ticked off the broker, but you know something...? I laughed like a hyena over it, knowing I used my own wit, skills, and savvy to get the job done. To this day the "customer" (new owner of my old place,) and I are best of friends and remain that way, being up-front and honest and working together to accomplish both of our dreams.

This all done without a college degree too, BTW.

Didn't mean to highjack the thread, but it was related to the topic enough I think to warrant writing it. Use your God given talents, skills and wit, apply it with gazelle intensity, and you'll be surprised....