Dispatching Services

I am not a o/o yet but have been in contact with two dispatchers. One in Michigan and one in Oregon. Both seem good, one is about 1k a month the other is $500. They can both get loads that pay good out of almost everywhere, and they can do your ifta and billing. Have talked with a couple guys that use them and are very happy and rarely sit for long times.

 

Why wouldn't you just dispatch yourself?

 

for me I don't know how to do the billing stuff....yet. Figured learn it while someone does the work then do it my self. By the end of this year I should have my own authority and see how it goes

 

Billing is not as hard as it seems. Usually you submit your signed Bill of Lading, your rate confirmation, along with an invoice. There's many invoice templates available through Google search. Also, you may need to submit gate passes, as well as weigh tickets.
Instructions on where to submit paperwork can usually be found on the rate confirmation or the carrier packet.

 

There are some dispatching services out there that do nothing but keep you loaded and you must do all of your paperwork. There are others that would be considered full service that do everything from finding loads, do your billing, IFTA and collections should the need arise. You will need to know what you will require to be happy. Many are glad to start out as full service and after a while will do just what you require. If you are not good with timely paperwork, then you may want them to handle your IFTA, plates, billing and collections....just a thought.

 

If you aren't having your rate confirmations sent directly to you and you are billing the customer yourself then how do you know you're only paying $500 or $1000? At this point you might as well be under someone else's authority. I could dispatch you all day long for an agreed amount per mile average but if you never see that paperwork I could make a fortune off you and you'd likely never know it. And asking to see original confirmations is not likely to resolve any dispute as it isn't all that difficult to manipulate paperwork.

 

I think IFTA is simple to handle. I write down how many miles I drive in each state on a notepad as I go. When I finish the load I complete a trip report with all the necessary info. At the end of the quarter I login online to complete IFTA. I bust out the trip reports and fuel receipts and input them online. It calculates it for you. YOU just need to make sure the information is accurate.

 

So here comes the dick repy, harsh yes, but necessary. So you want to run your own business, make PROFIT, then why cant you run your own business? Do it yourself. No one is ever gong to work as hard as you to make you money.

 

I use a dispatcher, pay a premium for it , also don't sit.