O/O New Authority - Having problems with getting loads ?

Kind of like when you have no credit and getting started. The number of startup people who have no money, are unreliable, with poor equipment and drop loads where ever because of . . . well pick something, anything it. . . they became irregular???? it has all happened.

So your choices are going to be narrow. Like all things in life worth doing, there is a price to pay to get experienced.

If you can bring something above minimum wage to the house the first year you are successful.

Like anything else you get to do the grunt or dirty work first, and have to earn the reputation and skills to get the better work.

 

Don't base your opinion on a few one-sided posts by disgruntled independents who may or may not have had a bad experience. We have been hauling CHR and Landstar freight for years without any major disputes or complaints. Off the top of my head, I would say that CHR accounts for 40% of our backhaul revenues. And contrary to popular opinion, they do open the wallet and pay decent rates when they need a truck NOW and can't find one.

 

The 6-12 month requirement is to protect brokers against carriers (and carrier/brokers) who 'churn' MC numbers. There is no end to the scams that someone can pull off churning MC numbers. It stinks, but there are very good reasons why brokers have this rule in place. Its just another example of how the worst 1% ruin it for everyone else.

Some poeple avoid this through buying older MC authority numbers, others get an MC# then sign on as an O/O with a carrier to let a few years go by until they go independent.

I would say that your best solution is to do a good job for the brokers that will use you and get them to allow you to use them as a reference. Fax or email that list to any broker that balks at your MC number and do some fancy talking to get them to use you. Everything is negotiable and you have to sell yourself. Don't ever ask for a fuel advance as that is how most of the scams begin and it will throw up huge red flags for most brokers. Also, beware of brokers who are too eager to use you. A good broker (if there is such a thing) should at least ask you a few questions about your new authority. Have a set speech about how long your husband has been trucking and who he worked for, that you can provide refrences, etc... The more professional that you sound, the more likely you are to get the load, but for some brokers, there will be no talking them into working with you for a while.

CHR will pay you on time and generally won't screw you on anything but the rate, and you can and need to negotiate rates with them. I rarely use them, but when I do, I always ask for more money, just on principle.

I agree with Allow Me, you want to use carriers who also have brokerage authority as much as possible. They generally have higher rates and better freight because they have to take rates that will turn a profit in reality and not just on a broker's calculator. All brokers really have to sell is price, whereas carriers have an infrastructure to sell. Set up appointments with the brokerage managers for carriers in your area and sell yourself face to face. Any carrier with more than 50 trucks usually will also have a brokerage.

 

Is this a huge issue you're having or just a pain in the butt thing you run into? They are able to keep going though right? Are they having to run cheaper because of it? I never thought about this happening either.

 

it's a new one to me too. Although I don't doubt it. I go back to my firm belief that insurance companies are ruining trucking

 

I never ran into that problem when I started 2.5 years ago. What I can tell you is, be persistant. Sometimes it may take 25 to 30 phone calls to find a decent paying load. Pay the extra money for the credit check/days to pay option on your loadboard to weed out the criminals and deadbeats. Good Luck

 

That's true no matter how long you've been in business. I easily average 20-30 calls per load taken. Then I have to reject half the accepted loads due to poor credit, slow pay/no pay, general sleaziness, etc. That's why load boards should always be a last resort, rather than the default option.

I'd just add that maybe you didn't run into it 2.5 years ago because trucks were much more scarce at that time than they are now. Brokers and shippers can afford to be pretty choosy right now. We all will take experience over lack of experience in our business and personal lives. If I had a choice, I'd take my trucks to a shop that has been in business 10+ years over one that had been in business for 3 months, wouldn't you?

 

I think if they make enough calls they will find loads. They need someone to work the phones relentlessly. After you establish a track record it will get easier. I think Ton Bundle is correct 2.5 years ago trucks were in higher demand. Currently I get calls from brokers looking for trucks, so the freight is out there. Stategy is important when booking loads. You want to be taking freight to areas that have more outbound freight volume than inbound freight. When you get your truck into these areas the law of supply and demand is in your favor. Also the closer to 5pm eastern, brokers become more flexible in rates because they want to cover the load and go home. Internet Truckstop has a load volume page, use it and put yourself in a better bargaining position. If your truck is the only one available the broker will be more willing to overlook a new mc#.