How do the stay in business?!?

hope some cheap freight haulers take note of the advice some folks are giving on here

 

So how does a broker going through this horror translate it into the next sell ? When you approach the next customer do you tell them, "I really have no control over these trucks, they may be hours late or not show up at all." or do you tell them about your vast carrier network and assure them all loads will be covered in a timely matter. Tell them they would be crazy to try to book these loads with carriers themselves, let the pros handle it for them ?

 

Gentlemen, thank you for the advice. Very interesting to to know what others have to say and what approach others would use..

It was not an Allen Lund load, however I did mention I would contact the broker again if the load was up again today. I'm not desperate for the load. However we are a new carrier but have worked with brokers before. How do I make it clear we won't be labeled as a cheap carrier?

 

They probably accept the fact there will be a certain percentage of failure. Giving 1,000 loads to 600 independent operators or all to 1 broker doesn't change that fact. In their shoes to cover those loads what would you do? Make 1,000's of calls to cover those 1,000 loads or make 1 call to someone who specialises in something (transport) that is basically just a headache and distraction from your core business?

 

I have a formula that I use before I call on a load. When I use this formula I know my number before I call. It helps me appear confident when I ask for my rate. It shows that I am organized. Sometimes my formula will spit out a number that is too cheap...then I adjust it up a little.

My formula is: Cost + $75/hr for my SD and DD's.

 

Yes Ive had that happen but if it were up to them , they'd bully or coerce me into bouncing around at $1.20 a mile and tell me its great money. Ive been told Im nuts, got hung up on, yelled at, and the come on can you help me I bid this load too cheap but you know what, some of these people have had to call me back for the truck also.
I would like to make money , not friends with the brokers, that being said , I am not rude to them.

Youre gonna have to get some thick skin on you. Part of the negotiation

 

Ill be honest w you. I have learned a lot here and Im guilty as charged. Im extremely grateful for the people that help out and take the time to share their knowledge and experience on here.

I hated everything about trucking. I was clueless as to how to negotiate, wondering how does anyone make money doing this crap....

My mentality now is, Im lazy, I really don't want to drive, its not a hobby for me, its a way to take care of my family, so if you want me to drive I would like loads that actually make money , not just take me away from the house.

Doing something along time and not admitting that you can still learn will work against you.

 

Really does not have any effect unless you are in a true expedite situation. If a broker is trying to move freight for general rates to cheap expeditor then you get what you pay for. For general freight rate and punctuality do not have any correlation.

I have moved a lot of loads both truckload and brokerage and to say cheap freight always is late is completely untrue. I have moved a lane for $1.00 per mile and recieved the best service you could ever imagine and moved the exact same lane for $3.50 per mile and lost the truck for 2 days.

I am really excited about what mandatory EOBR are going to do to the rates in our industry. You are going to be able to command a premium rate for premium service and trucks will be tight. Kind of went way off subject but good times are ahead.

 

Yes many shippers have threshold you must maintain and many shippers are shopping brokers right now because of the tight capacity and failure of on time service

 

It sad to read some stuff on her. No wonder agents make the big bucks and the single owner operator has to suck it up. PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN. Like the agent that post this, many will read this and be sure to make a note of drivers tactics. No matter what i know whats the minimum i could move a freight for and no agent is going to pure pressure me. As for my customer, they know what great service they are getting and wont complain about the rate.
They can make all type of laws but having courage, well let just say is like common sense, is not common.