First contact with a broker (or several) for a new authority

Gumper:

Honestly? Be polite, professional, and cordial. You're gonna run into brokers who aren't, but the ones who are will value that, especially considering some of the drivers/dispatchers we run into out there. Like anything, brokers are people, too. Don't be afraid to ask for your number - the worst they can tell you is "no." There's plenty of freight out there, and you're hitting the market at a pretty prime time. Make the best of it!

 

Once you find the load your looking for do some research on what the lane is paying as of late or what you know it to pay on the regular . Once you figure the rate you will be ok hauling for write it down , than write the least you might take for this load . Once you call broker let them know your calling on a load posted on the board , they will need load number . They will give you the details of load and sometimes give you a rate right off the bat . Sometimes they straight up ask you what you would haul it for . Even if they hit me with a good price I hit them higher and typically they will pay . If they hit you with the least you might pay hit them higher again , they more than likely will move that price near your number . Most brokers are nice guys and want a good carrier to work with . If a price cant be met say that's not in my budget thankyou have a good day . good luck

 

Yup get the load # and your price ready . Other than that make sure the job fits your schedule and sets you up for your next load . I book my self 2 -3 loads out if I can .

 

Part of my mistake was being too shy. The market sucked until the 4th quarter of 2017 in addition to that. Some of the guys here were saying that they were getting this or that for a lane, but I thought I could not get what they were getting because of my MC# being too fresh..Some of that was true, though. It takes about a year of a market exposure to grasp what pays what, or rather what can be paid at the right time.

 

Yeah, that'll happen. Sometimes that happens to me, too. I personally have to drive myself to.make the number for the customer. Sometimes it's tricky.

 

Start by calling up brokers and ask "I just received my operating authority, does your company work with new carriers?"

If yes ask them to send you a packet to fill out. At that point you will know which brokers you can use.

Now I know that some will not even bother to check the age of your authority so for some brokers just for you to be able to move the shipment is all they want to hear. Like if a company receives your completed packet and requires you to be in business for 6 months BUT doesn't check your authority age and gives you the load anyway then your good to go.

 

Most brokers make between $50 to $250 per shipment. Basied on my emails from shipments less than 500 miles delivered.