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I'm a Independant Dispatcher in Training Looking for Advice

Discussion in 'Freight Broker Forum' started by tealtransport, Oct 10, 2012.

Would you as an O/O use currently or have used in the past a Independent Dispatcher?

  1. *

    I am currently using a Independant Dispatcher for some or all of my loads.

    6 vote(s)
    14.0%

  2. I have used an Independant Dispatcher in the past, but with bad results.

    3 vote(s)
    7.0%
  3. *

    I have used an Independant Dispatcher in the past, but would rather save money and book loads myself

    3 vote(s)
    7.0%
  4. *

    I have never and would never use an Independant Dispatcher.

    13 vote(s)
    30.2%
  5. *

    I have never used an Independant Dispatcher, but would be open to trying one some day.

    16 vote(s)
    37.2%
  6. *

    What is an Independant Dispatcher?

    8 vote(s)
    18.6%
Page 7 of 13
  1. Oct 11, 2012 #61
    tealtransport

    tealtransport Bobtail Member

    31
    15
    Oct 10, 2012
    Manchester, TN
    0
    I was thinking the same thing. also for factoring companies..isn't 10%-15% high? I've seen some factoring companies charging (whole picture) 7.5%-8%. that includes fuel advances and quick pay. I have a close friend that had one and they have had good experiences.
     
    tealtransport, Oct 11, 2012
    tealtransport, Oct 11, 2012
    #61
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  3. Oct 12, 2012 #62
    tomkatrose

    tomkatrose Light Load Member

    224
    161
    Oct 22, 2010
    Los Angeles, CA
    0
    Teal, I appreciate your drive and enthusiasm. My wife runs our company's day-to-day operations. When freight is low and our direct shippers aren't moving, I've seen her spend an entire day refreshing 2 or 3 loadboards trying to get good freight. We jumped in deep with the same enthusiasm as you. After 5 trucks began to consume her life, we tried several dispatching services. They were all searching the same loadboards as she was... and they got worse rates on the same loads. We even hired experienced dispatchers as employees and tried that route. Bottom line, NONE of them fought as hard for every last penny as she did so it didn't work out for us to have them. That same sense will be found in many O/O's. That's why they are O/O's.

    Some other things to consider in your business model are peripheral functions that O/O's may not have time for or are a PITA but necessary, e.g. safety records, IFTA, collections, records management. If you think about it, you could set up a Google account for each O/O and have them mail you all their receipts, etc. and scan and file them in Google Docs so they could access them anywhere with a web connection. Those value-add services may make your service more attractive and differentiate you in the market. You've run a business, you know all the administrative work that goes with it. You as a business owner, would you have rather handed that work off so you could focus on your core service and sales? O/O's probably won't be that different.

    In the same amount of time, I spent 10 times paying for the trucking-school-of-hard-knocks than I did to get my MBA. For dispatching services, we never once accepted a load they found for us. Paying for their learning curve just wasn't an option we were tolerant to accept.
     
    tomkatrose, Oct 12, 2012
    tomkatrose, Oct 12, 2012
    #62
    BigBadBill and tealtransport Thank this.
  4. Oct 12, 2012 #63
    mamamullins

    mamamullins Medium Load Member

    307
    174
    May 4, 2011
    Ingalls, IN
    0
    I agree with you Grumman the margin is thin. We never did that, but I have worked with many contracts that offered deeper discounts then that off of the linehaul. The cabinet accounts didn't get any discounts, but it was just an example of how businesses do offer incentives to companies to get quicker payments. Anytime I did AR/Billing the normal pay was 30 days, and most of them paid through EDI.
     
    mamamullins, Oct 12, 2012
    mamamullins, Oct 12, 2012
    #63
  5. Oct 12, 2012 #64
    tealtransport

    tealtransport Bobtail Member

    31
    15
    Oct 10, 2012
    Manchester, TN
    0
    I suppose at the end of the day, there are still x amount of loads shipped in the country. There's no way I can pull some sort of magically load out of a hat that isn't for others to see as well. So I suppose the only advantage I could possibly have is time, or for an O/O that just doesn't want to hassel of it all. Like you said, they'd rather spend their time focusing on their core service and sales.

    It has become more and more apparent to me that the O/O that does desire personal dispatching services is a minority in the O/O world. And that's okay. I know in my business, I didn't hire anyone I didn't absolutely needed. I just liked doing it all myself, plus saving money. O/O are business people, you are running your own business, and in this tough economy, I know it's very important to cut costs where you can. And if you can afford to spend the time searching, then more power to you. You guys are the heartthrob of America. We could not function without you.

    The realm of responsible, business minded people in this country is alarmingly shrinking. There's several people in this country that just don't understand that you actually have to work...and I mean really work. Not just give a half-hearted job, and expect the world to be given to you. I commend you for being the backbone of this country. May we continue to raise many more generations with your mind set. I know I was blessed to achieve what I have in my short years, with support of family and such.

    As for your idea of Google accounts..that is in my plan to set up separate accounts for each carrier, and as for the forms that will be easily accessible...I have an amazing techie guy on my team...yes I said team, for all those who already assumed I'd be working on my own, who would make your life soooo easy when it came to the forms and information/receipts etc... you need at your fingertips, wherever you can get a connection to the web.

    If I were in your shoes, I'd do the same thing you're doing. I probably wouldn't mess with a dispatcher. But for those who like to use them, and they are out there, I will be available.

    But I am curious to see just how many would be willing or have used in the past dispatchers. I realize this forum is filled with very business oriented people and I suspect the actual % will be slightly higher but not much in the entire O/O operation.

    thank you again tomkatrose,
    Andrea
     
    tealtransport, Oct 12, 2012
    tealtransport, Oct 12, 2012
    #64
  7. Oct 12, 2012 #65
    tomkatrose

    tomkatrose Light Load Member

    224
    161
    Oct 22, 2010
    Los Angeles, CA
    0
    Andrea, since you're a new member, you might want to consider changing your handle. Teal Transportation (Teal's Express Inc., www.teals.com) comes up when you Google Teal Transport. If that relates to your company name, you might want a differentiator for when O/O's want to Google and research you. It could also cause trademark issues if someone feels strongly about it. Just a thought.

    If you ever have questions or need advice, feel free to PM me. People like Big Bad Bill or Mamamullins have a heck of a lot more experience than I do but I'm still bleeding from the sharp edge of the learning knife so I can have a different perspective on things that seem intuitive to someone new but actually are not.
     
    tomkatrose, Oct 12, 2012
    tomkatrose, Oct 12, 2012
    #65
    tealtransport and BigBadBill Thank this.
  8. Oct 12, 2012 #66
    tealtransport

    tealtransport Bobtail Member

    31
    15
    Oct 10, 2012
    Manchester, TN
    0
    Thank you for your input tomkatrose. I've been sorta stumped at the name. I really haven't put too much effort into it yet as I'm only in the second week of school. It does seem that both of my ideas have already been taken. But besides on this message board I have not even talked to anyone about getting carriers...and I made it clear at first on the board that I was not after that..not yet anyway. And this isn't the place for it anyway. But you are very right, I, whether I like it or not, am gaining a presence and name for myself within at least the O/O on this board. I have had a few people say they will be very interested in seeing my future posts and how my business develops. I've been a little overwhelmed by the amount of views so far this thread has accumulated. I mean I just posted this a day or two ago, and it has over 1000. So I really should have thought about that. I just wanted advice, and am very grateful for the constructive criticism. I have much better goals and views now. Any ideas on a good name? My husband is doing a little of hotshotting ltl right now, and my father in florida working with an intrastate authority hotshotting as well.. My father in law is also about to start driving..so I'll need a name that can work for transport and dispatching.

    Look forward to your thoughts.
     
    tealtransport, Oct 12, 2012
    tealtransport, Oct 12, 2012
    #66
  9. Oct 12, 2012 #67
    IH Truck Guy

    IH Truck Guy Road Train Member

    4,122
    46,736
    Mar 2, 2008
    Purgatory
    0
    Buddy of mine's wife just looks for loads for 3 owner-operators..
    They pay her $50 for any loads she finds and they book...
    Does it from home while watching Dr.Phil and Oprah...
    Gives her a little play money.....
    She was doing it for 10 trucks,but some thought she was giving the good loads to only some of them..
    So she cut back to 3...
    Just say'n..................
     
    IH Truck Guy, Oct 12, 2012
    IH Truck Guy, Oct 12, 2012
    #67
  10. Oct 12, 2012 #68
    Grumman

    Grumman Light Load Member

    289
    120
    Nov 7, 2009
    Locust Grove, GA
    0
    IH we used to have the same thing. The wife of one of our drivers would look on the loadboard for freight coming back to Atlanta. I forget if she charged 25 or 50 dollars but she was a pretty good negotiator. Of course you'd call her and hear her kids screaming in the background, but she did fill a need.
     
    Grumman, Oct 12, 2012
    Grumman, Oct 12, 2012
    #68
  11. Nov 2, 2012 #69
    amora

    amora Bobtail Member

    4
    0
    Apr 30, 2012
    atlanta,ga
    0
    tealtransport, Read your post and would like to appreciate your effort.
    If you really want to help and be helped, lets' contact & talk about it, some one may need your service.
    Amora
     
    amora, Nov 2, 2012
    amora, Nov 2, 2012
    #69
  12. Nov 2, 2012 #70
    2fuzy

    2fuzy Road Train Member

    1,053
    324
    Jun 19, 2008
    Granite Canon,WY
    0
    one thing that bugs the hell out of me is the call requirements with a lot of brokers I understand a need to be able to answer the customer questions but I have done this for 20 years and if there is a problem I will inform as that is part of my service I provide it will be on time but as it is not a perfect world if there is a problem you will not be left out of the loop
    The other part of this is as a small fleet owner I do the talking to my employees
     
    2fuzy, Nov 2, 2012
    2fuzy, Nov 2, 2012
    #70
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