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.....All Brokers have their Niche,

Some Pay Quick..Some pay Late....Some Laugh at you when they found a 'sucker'..

Why would you want to use brokers when shippers/Buyers are SCREAMING for trucks everywhere..........Try finding your own freight first

 

NO!! Loadboards are good for 1 thing...Getting your truck Back to your service area.

Loadboards are generally filled with 'overflow' garbage freight nobody wants...And Brokers posting the same load 50 times


How do you start finding freight?? You have to use some salesmanship skills.....Sell yourself to your local shippers..They Will assist you on who to talk to..Its Not that hard

Be professional at all times and Know your Costs..


If you are New to this business...I suggest you Lease on with someone until you know the in's and out's of the business.......

 

You can:
-Do a search within the "Good and Bad Broker" thread on this site to see if your prospective broker is in there.
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...m/39137-posting-for-good-and-bad-brokers.html
-Punch the MC# into the FMCSA Safersys data base to see if they have broker authority.
-Call the bond holder (telephone number from the above database) to see if there is any claims against their bond.
-Apply to a credit rating service such as RTS or DAT/Transcore

 

Great response Mickey. If you don't mind me asking, what kinds of businesses would you recommend approaching? Would I need my own trailer?

 

Stay away from TQL and C H Robinson

 

After the horror stories I've read here, no question I owe you guys for the advice! I bet I've saved five figures reading here, and haven't even started back yet. Was a tank o/o with Miller Transporters 12yrs ago. I know what I'll do, and what I won't even though I'm basically a green horn with that much time lapse... Lol

Anyhow, I'm wanting to get my own authority, run out of north FL for a shipper, then am willing to haul a brokered load to get home. I'm willing to sit and wait negotiating vs taking some $1.50 load after dead heading two hrs to get it... I don't have a trailer. just power. i have hnt endorsements. I'm open to tanks, of course, but have driven 48's, 53's, and flatbed. Would love to know what's the better way to go in my area (Jacksonville, FL) in other O/O's opinions. Thanks

 

You will need a trailer. It will take time but look to partner with larger carriers that have preferred carrier programs. More and more carriers are looking to grow with outside assets rather than add their own. Return on capital is low, compliance is high and hiring drivers is costly.

It is just pure business for them. But it is the growing trend in the industry. Be careful of thinking that being a solo guy and servicing a direct account is the only way to make money. Most don't completely understand the opportunity costs of direct freight. It can work well in certain markets but you have to be in the right market.

Don't get caught in the mind set that you can only make money one way in this business. If you are constantly looking for opportunities, direct, with brokers, with carriers, with 3PLs - you can make good money in this business.

I do agree that much of the ad hoc freight is garbage. That is what the market has become because many of the carriers in that market are garbage. Why would a shipper pay a premium for a garbage carrier. But their are plenty of brokers, carriers and 3PLs that rarely post the good freight and with the quality carriers.

Nothing is black and white. Rollin Coal posted on how he gets premium freight from brokers including CHR. And we have pulled a lot of high dollar stuff from TQL.

It is not about one way or another but more about being a good business person and understanding the market you are in. Capacity has been tightening for the past couple years and it is only going to get better. If you understand this you can capitalize on this.

Additionally, compliance is getting worse not just for carriers but for shippers as well. Just about every industry has a trade organization. One of the hot topics in recent years for many of them is how to protect yourself when shipping. Lawyers are putting the fear of God in them when if comes to carrier selection.