Mercer Question

Yeah, I usually don't book more than a week or so out. The rate gamble doesn't bother me because if I'm willing to run the load I'm willing to run the load. I do sometimes look back if I was questioning whether to take a load or not, but that's just for learning purposes. I don't like to plan more than 3 or 4 loads out though just in case something happens

 

It's a catch 22. Looking back let's you know what other loads are paying so you can try to do better next time in that area, but it can also make you hesitate to pull the trigger on a good load thinking you can do better if you wait, and better never comes and that good load is long gone so here you sit empty high on the board.

 

It's not easy to explain as you are not here. As long as you trust your truck then book ahead. Waiting can only hurt you. If you are doing so well then why are you asking about Mercer. Nit that I want to keep you away I'm just curios.

 

Exactly. Grab what you are comfortable with and move on. Can't look back or you will never move forward.

 

Is there a noticeable difference in rates between loads that are posted last minute and loads that you can book weeks in advance?
In example, would it be advantageous to not preplan if you know you'll be in a hot area because a load needed fulfilled ASAP might pop up that pays enough to make the risk worth it?

 

To answer this with my limited knowledge this how it works. Most of our agents have their own customers so they'll have a load posted for the middle of Jan, more than likely it's a contract rate which some customers pay good some pay avg and some pay horrible. If that same customer has a load that needs to be picked up last min it'll post for their normal rate but I've seen loads that started to go up throughout the day. Another thing is a load that's a week out that's still isn't covered the days leading up to its pick up date will go up in the rate also. But if a agent call you on a load it leaves you a small room for negotiation if you don't really need to take it

 

No no

 

The old saying,, a bird in hand is worth 2 in the bush, applies here very much so