Correct me if I'm wrong?

They call a truck if they don't want the phone ringing off the hook from all the Bubba Pedro Chyznskis who only care where it goes and run used fleet trucks one loose bolt away from a breakdown.

 

Mcgoo, Some broker that hangs up on ya, I think I'd be temped to call them back, and say, "Excuse me, I don't know what I was thinking. Just forgot, I'm a 501c3, non-profit organization. You'll have to take my word for it, I've got a big smile on my face. Go ahead, tell me all about this load that's so good to haul, it doesn't pay peanut shells.

 

A broker may have something crappy today and something great tomorrow - I at least listen to the whole thing and along the same lines as gear said just play with them a little. Mention that you can send a truck with no cargo insurance on it for something a little closer to there rate or after they give the rate you can always say, " Oh the linehaul rate is $1000 so plus fuel surcharge you would be at $1250 " and more than likely you will get silence for a second and either a laugh or a rookie at TQL will say please hold and ask his boss.

I would rather post a truck and have a broker call me and I do not feel it is "giving anything away" - stick to your rules and you should be fine.

 

I have hauled what some consider a cheap load to omly be rewarded with some phenomanal rates o. Loads from the same broker in the future. Sometimes double what others were paid on same loads.

Never think a cheap rate is the top of the money. It's there. Just need to charm them into giving it to you.

 

Here's what I do. If I see a load posted from Dallas to Baltimore. I call and say "What kind of rates can you offer me out of Dallas today ?". This establishes I'm looking for a good rate, and if they have other loads out of Dallas I'm not aware of we can discuss them as well. I'm usually not too concerned with where the load is going, but if for some reason I really wanted to go to Baltimore I would probly just rephrase, "What kind of rate can you offer me on this load posted from Dallas to Baltimore ?"

You have to know your own negotiation style and be able to read the broker as well. Sometimes it is helpful to let them describe the load, everything they say "can and will be used against them" lol. If they say the load picks up at 5 pm, I say, "Oh man, 5 pm, I was hoping to get my truck moving before then !" (even if my delivery is at 3pm and I couldn't load until 5 anyway). If they say, "the load is ACTUALLY picking up at Terrell, TX not Dallas", I say, "no problem I just add $200 to my rate when loads aren't listed correctly" (that's my favorite ! LOTQL) that's not really a negotiation tactic, but it sure is fun. But what you are describing is taking control of the conversation from the beginning, taking the driver's seat. Doesn't work with everybody, but can be effective.

In the end, the better brokers out there have seen and heard it all. They want to get their loads covered and if they feel you can do it, you'll get the load and figure out what their best price is at that particular moment pretty quickly. I figure if they don't have to call somebody or check with somebody before you get the load booked, you probably went too cheap. Of course, nobody wants to work with a dick either. Okay to be aggressive, but pointless to be a dick.

 

Nice. Motivated brokers are good to work with.

 

Is that where the 20 something blonde girl with the big hooters come in to sweet talk them?

Sorry but when I read that I had to do it.

 

How bad does it suck when you've patiently waited, found your load, worked your magic, and then something even better pops up????

And what I do??

Why, I call on it.....

"Just tell me how much trees...."

I look up at the ceiling.

Oh well, I'm making just as good with the first thing.... other thing goes to an area I like better is all....

"I'll have to find out what's going on with this other load, I don't know if they've cancelled it or what, still haven't received the rate con, I'll get back with you..."