Load Boards

I am afraid if you think anything over your figure is pure profit is anything but true!!! There are a lot more costs than you are thinking. Anything less than $2.00 a mile is unacceptable. If you take less than that you are selling yourself and equipment short.

 

As a broker since 1971, and a carrier since the 1990's, I can say that OO's have stayed with my brokerage because I take 8%-10% of the linehaul, give 100% of the FSC to the truck, and I've developed and maintained relationships with my customers over the years. If it were up to me, I'd put every single load I have on one of my trucks or OO's, that being said, I dont have the capacity, hence, I have to broker loads. Often times i'm content to make 5%-10% of the linehaul on a load, sometimes making nothing, to keep that business alive for my guys.

If I were entering the market today for the first time, my advice would be twofold; if you're an OO w/ your own authority, trying to lineup loads, bill them, collect the money, *and* drive- not a viable plan for 90% of the guys out there. As someone who owns a few trucks, I would never, ever, ever, enter this market without half of my freight being direct from a shipper, i.e., customer, and this does not nor ever will include TQL, CH, EPES, anyone who brokers freight. That being said, in the last decade I've only managed to operate on a headhaul and backhaul basis for my customers on both ends approximately 2% of the time. I rely on brokers to get me to my honey hole, so to speak. We all know dry van freight out of FL pays for your fuel and not much else, so when I send one down there it's for $2.30/mile or better, and when I take something out of there for $1.10/mile, it's to pickup something coming back to my neck of the woods that pays $2.00/mile or better.

I remember when being a broker was something totally different. I remember when brokers were a whole hell of a lot more than glorified telemarketers. Hell, I remember not so long ago, even in the 90's, when you relied on a broker and they relied on you. Now, if you hop on youtube and search for TQL, you see kids in shorts and tee shirts playing ping pong with a headset on and it makes me wonder when I hear a rate from them on occasion if they have any clue what it costs to operate the trucks I run, which average 6.5mpg, nevermind the 379's my Dad runs that get 5.0mpg.

In sum, a good honest broker is a good tool- find one, take care of it, it will take care of you. But don't act like its the only tool in the #### box.

 

The way I see it that is old school thinking. I'm leased to a carrier but book my own freight. I would not hesitate to go out there under my own numbers with zero direct customers. While not for everyone a person can most certainly make excellent money off someone else's freight if you've got a good reputation and can make the right connections.

TQL, CHR, and EPES of the world are useful it's just best to not let them exploit you. So 1 load in 300 of them pays well above average that is the one you exploit them on then move on to the next score. If you view them as useful for "getting back to your good stuff" it really should come as no surprise how easily they are taking advantage of that and that will definitely contribute to a low opinion of them. Not to say I have high opinions of them. They are what they are and I respect that. They are either useful in the moment or not just don't let them take advantage of you when there are 1,000 other options.

 

Im a shipper first and I just got my MC for broker and waiting on insurance to go threw for a truck. I was using JBhunt to do my loads before I saw DAT and I started using that I save 500 per load from what I was paying I think most shippers use big companies thinking there getting the best price but JBhunt brokered my loads out to other carriers I never saw a JBhunt trailer ever so from talking to the drivers I cut JB out!! There is a Rate index on dat but Ive NEVER found a truck that would take that rate. I figured you can make that 100 it cost up on the loads you can find. Plus you can post your truck and work a price off there. It does take about 20 calls to book a truck so it still takes some work.

 

The trailer means nothing...what counts is who's name and numbers are on the truck. That's who's actually hauling the freight...or at least who is picking it up.

 

I need to know where to find good carriers. My company prefers working with carriers and not have our loads brokered. I am posting to DAT, ITS(Internet Truck Stop) and using Post Everywhere which hits about 50 other load boards. I am getting very little contact. I feel like I am missing something, somewhere. Where are all the trucks hiding. Unfortunately, during the cold season I have to use reefers to freeze protect my product. Is this the problem, reefers? I don't recall having some much trouble the last couple years. Any advice or clues would be much appreciated. My boss is all over me about our rates being through the roof.

 

I just assumed that JBhunt was picking it up because I was paying them I understand now how it works at least a little bit more lol.

 

When Im on DAT I always look at the company profile it will tell you there if there a broker or carrier but even then you dont know. I ask and I also ask if they lease the truck there sending. I try to go for the company with the least trucks I seem to get better rates and its easier to work with them. I always hit the drivers for there numbers and ask if they can haul if I need them or if thats the lane they work all the time. Plus it takes me 20 calls before I find the company Im going to use.

 

You might try to expand your search for carriers with heated dry vans too. The cold is certainly having an impact on trucking capacity and demand for trucks is up or remaining strong. Rates can be higher as a result. To get more calls on your load postings you could include more information, especially the rate. If you post the rate, you'll get more calls. If you can afford to pay an attractive rate (at or above the current market rate for your lane) you will be more likely be able to move your load. When there is more freight than trucks the trucks will let the low paying freight sit while they haul the higher paying freight.

 

In real estate it's all about location,location,location. In trucking it's all about capacity,capacity,capacity, and capacity can be affect by many factors.

Doesn't DAT or ITS have a tool that shows truck to load ratio? Using this information helps both the shipper/broker and carrier/O/O determine what a load can be reasonably moved for that is beneficial to both parties.