Does anybody here use a dispatching-service?

I am at about the point of dismissing the idea of starting a dispatching service. From what you and others have shared, the structure of it between the dispatcher & OO seems too problematic. I also have a feeling that the fee amount I would need to make it worthwhile, would be hard to sell.

If I were to ever start a logistics business, at this point, it would be limited to a brokerage, where I would target local businesses in my region.

Time will tell.

 

If you have some contacts in the oilfield you could do that as a small broker.

 

Also, does all freight have to go through an authorized broker before it can be moved by a MC authorized OO? How does a "direct shipper" arrangement work?

 

No. Carriers can work directly with shippers. Brokers eliminate some work for shippers by handling the logistics

 

I am late to this thread. I am a driver looking to transition to an independent freight dispatcher myself. O/Os with one truck who are content driving and doing their thing isn't really the best customer for an independent freight dispatch service. This service is really for the owner operators who think like small business owners and are looking to scale their business. Once they reach 3-5 trucks, it becomes very difficult to drive AND dispatch the trucks AND grow their business. At some point, they need help. Getting out of the truck and giving up dispatching allows them to focus solely on growing the business. Using a dispatch service is more affordable than hiring a W2 dispatcher for this. There is a reason that independent freight dispatching exists, it is because it serves a need. While the owner focuses on how to retain and hire drivers, grow their fleet, etc, the dispatcher is focusing on building relationships with brokers and keeping the trucks moving. In the right scenario, it is really a win-win.

 

If you have 3 trucks and have drivers you shouldn't be driving at that point.

 

Perhaps for awhile but at some point, any growing trucking company will need help with dispatching. If the owner wants to do it all himself, more power to him, but it's not sustainable if you want to grow.

 

I agree.

 

It is all about time. Time less spent doing one thing, gives you more time to do other things. A dispatching service frees up time for the owner to be doing what only he can do, grow his business.

 

I hear where you are coming from. I will consider brokering too. To counter your point though, dispatching several trucks, finding the best rates, fielding calls from brokers, taking care of paperwork, etc, all can add up to a lot of time, especially in this market when good loads are so tough to come by.