How much do you have in it ?

I completely agree, Danny. This is a very interesting find.

 

My question is, if you show up to load along with several other O/O, do you disclose the broker you dealt with and how much you are getting paid?

 

I don't know for certain, but I haven't done it because I suspect it is poor form without provocation.

Early in my poker "career," I recall getting the ### chewing of a lifetime from an old school poker pro. You see, in poker any player at the table can ask to see the cards of any player that went to showdown. Player A might call a river bet hoping to catch a bluff, and then muck his cards when he discovers player b had a real hand.
The "new breed" of internet players would always ask to see the mucked cards -- free info, right? PokerStars and Fulltilt would even do this for you discreetly. The thing is, that rule is there to catch collusion -- two players whipsawing the table and then later splitting the profits. So asking to see mucked cards is, in effect, calling that player a cheat. Not something to be done lightly and certainly not the sort of behavior that would get you invited to lucrative home games...

I guess I see this fmcsa rule in the same light -- not something I want to do unless I'm willing to ruin a relationship...

That said, kudos to Danny for having the stones to do it. I've always wanted to try...

 

I only broker out US Steel freight, who has published rates. Everybody I deal with already knows what the lanes pay, and what percentage we are taking off the top. When and if the rates change, my drivers are notified immediately. Makes my life Sooooo much easier that way.

 

^ I agree with this statement. I don't really have much interest in what a broker is charging-as long as they can pay me at least what I want for a load I'm good with what they've made. However if they are going to offer "I'm only making xxxx" then yeah prove it because now you have offered the info: back it up with real info so I don't have to doubt every other thing they ever say.

I can honestly say that I've never pulled the "prove it" card: generally that's what they say right after some wildly cheap not moving an inch off bottom dollar rate. So I'm already hanging up and calling someone else.

 

I compared broker rates at least once I can remember. Wanted to see how I did comparatively. I don't see it as tacky, just talking to see where I'm at. Real eye opener-guy was super proud of what he got for his specialized equipment-I got 50% more for plain old flatbed (and I had asked him mostly because I felt like I should have said more bc the broker agreed pretty quickly)

 

I compared rates once as well, only because I felt I'd done poorly and the guy next to me was a local who often ran the lane. Turned out I did significantly better than him. I felt pretty bad about it until we talked more and I discovered that he doesn't negotiate at all! If the load was over his threshold, OK, he'll take it. Otherwise he'd say no and the broker may or may not offer more...

 

Ive been pretty surprised a couple of times to hear people say they don't negotiate. Or some folks that do, but start at relatively low numbers (lanes aren't especially relevant on real short hauls) basing their rate on mileage.

If you broker a load: you have to have enough in it to get it covered. Or sit on it Til a sucker comes along. I don't have a problem with brokers making a living-but if I'm not making money I won't do anything to support their lifestyle.