Dat - How flexible are rates?

It all depends on the broker and their desperation to move the particular load.

 

10,000 overnight to Baltimore. It will be on the ship then. Otherwise its going to cost you 20,000 to meet Norfolks even more demanding shipping schedule. //sarcastic.

You think a newbie broker will fall for that.

Actual container rates stand at about 2900 pounds 20foot TEU and 4600 pounds for a 40 foot. To Europe from East coast

 

I've talked brokers up $1000 and I've had brokers that wouldn't move more than $10. All depends on the situation. Know what you need and go for it. It's not uncommon to be making/fielding 10-40 phone calls a day dispatching yourself.

 

Question is, how honest is your broker?

 

I never take what is offered. Always ask for more , I did notice in busy lanes beer loads are hardly negotiable. I called on a load recently and was told 2000 and I told broker I run this lane on a semi weekly basis and I get 3000 for the last 2 loads . He explained he knew this was low and this lane has been trending downwards and I could put in a offer , I told him 2900 and we ended up at 2800. The Dat 15 day average was 2500, thx low ball freight haulers ! Learn the lanes and commodity and if it's a contract load or a load that's runs ever so often . Always ask for more .

 

Rates aren't generally posted. You have to call and ask details. Without an active authority, you can't just buy a subscription. Brokers won't want to talk to you as soon as they find out you have no authority and are just doing homework.

 

Load board freight is like 2 am at the bar. Whoever is left over. Pairs up and goes home. You want to find the good stuff, it rarely just appears on the board with an attractive rate posted next to it. If it's posted, they likely don't really care when it's picked up and delivered as long as it gets there. They're looking for whoever will haul it for cheap.

 

Everything in life is negotiable. Jump in and start making calls.