Independent agents

I tried searching on here for the answer to this, but couldn't find anything. I was approached by someone who acts as an independent agent - sets up loads with private shippers, we deal with the shipper, get paid and then pay the agent his commission, in this case 6%. I thought it sounded good, basically a sales rep for the company....anyone work with anyone like that? Takes the place of a broker, it seems, which is kind of a good thing. To those who might say 'get your own customers and save the 6%', yes that's an option, too, but it does not have to be an either/or thing, can do both. Anyway - I'd not heard of this with regard to very small carriers (as small as 1 truck) and just wondering if anyone is doing it, and whether it's worked out or not. In the back of my mind also I'm wondering if there is some sort of goofy regulation preventing this (not bonded and all that, like brokers) but can't see how there could be.

 

Well, I don't know, but would like to find out.....question is does anyone have this sort of relationship with an 'agent' and does it work.

 

Nope, never heard of him and would never, under any circumstances, pay anyone up front...has nothing to do with students, drivers, just private shippers and loads. Don't know what type of arrangements agents have with brokerage houses...exclusive or what, as I know he represents at least one broker, too. Just an area I'm not familiar with..I know he has the customers; what I don't know is if he can legally work privately with carriers without benefit of going through the broker; and if so, does anyone else have this sort of relationship with someone like this.

 

Good to know, the one I spoke with quoted 6%.