negotiating rates

I booked one of my guys out of Louisville market today, going to Bristol TN, for $2000 on 330 miles. Dry van.

 

Are you smoking crack? I turn down 2.20 ttt, after my carrier rapes me for 25%, out of that area to California several times a week.

If 2.20 to a guy leased to a carrier is crap, 1.80 to a guy with his own authority is not only garbage... its the garbage of the garbage.

 

This is more like it. Screw 2 bucks a mile .

 

####! Nice, man. That's a load to be pleased with. I don't really know what van looks like outta there- my Kentucky customer is out towards Paducah, and asks for flats. Most full loads I'm paying are $2 to $2.50/mi, unless it's a dead market. Chicago area is higher, by far.

 

There's crazy money to be made out of KY going southeast. I'm paying it. Not 2000 for 330 miles, but 1900 for 450 certainly. KY-CA != KY 250-500 mile runs though. The East-West long haul guys make a decent amount less per mile while running a LOT more miles.

 

My gut says stay in the Midwest as best as you can. Even if the rates are coming down, they're still going to be better, out there. You should, I'd imagine, be able to pull $2+ mile in most places on 500+ miles. I'd be angling for at least a grand a day where possible, if I were in your shoes - that should be pretty easily doable based on the rates and such that I'm having to pay to get stuff covered.

Edit: Again, though - this is just spitballing: I'm not in your shoes, I don't know what you need to be profitable, and what your position looks like. I'm speculating from the other side of the fence, but I think you should be able to swing it based on the stuff we're sending out. I think @rollin coal would probably be a better resource to give you an actual idea of how to get it done.

 

If it was me, I'd get whatever the heck i could to get back easy of the Mississippi. Even if it meant deadheading all the way to st louis. Seriously look for anything at that gets you moving immediately back east. But don't wait for it. If you can get something reloading the day you unload great, if not get moving empty and try to book something in route.

Going out there for such a low rate was a big mistake. That's the bad news. The good news is every single one of us has made similar mistakes. As long add it learn from out no harm no foul.

Just booked a load for Monday. 3900+ on 950ish miles back home. 4.02 power mile ttt after carriers cut. With rates like this the only way I'm heading west is for ridiculous money. It's gonna take 15k to get me to leave this market.