Methods of convincing Direct Shippers

+if a shipper is willing to take on a new transportation vendor based on a cold call vs sticking with their current vendor; that says to me there is something less than desireable about the shipper more often than not.



If you’re happily married: would a cold call from a stranger convince you to get a divorce? And if it would: you already know would leave that new person with the same amount of convincing pretty easily.

 

Messing around on the side not an option? And perhaps, over time, causing a divorce..

 

Cheatin is cheatin- and grounds for dissolution.

 

I agree... however how else are you going to get in at a local shipper? They aren't likely to fork over all the freight to any one party. Not in my area anyway. Would I fire a shipper if someone else started doing same loads I am? Nah - if they can do it consistently at a lower price at an acceptable service level then more power to them - I will find other work. I don't gouge but I also don't lower myself to someone else's rate. What I will do is regularly make myself available in order to form a mutually beneficial business relationship. Seems to be the key for me.

 

Some of these guys will think you are joking, but you're only slightly exaggerating.

 

Lol give me a call next time you’re round my side of the border n I’ll tell you how i do it.
Lot more to it than a phone call saying you’re cheaper.

 

Sure. It's a thing.

How are you covering your surety bond, paying yourself, and the other things you need?

There's a lot of startup and operating costs that go into this.

You said you're a student - for curiosity's sake, how old are you?

 

Eh I'll never say I am cheaper.. I'm thinking I'll ask what freight lanes they have and tell em what I am accustomed to. Preferably after the first call to introduce myself I go down there in the pickup and meet in person then sell myself further from there. Lots of them around me want 5+ units. All I need is the first shot and generally they're asking me to do more. This is actually coming up on the horizon for me, my western work is dying. Stores going to store brand product vs the high dollar stuff I was hauling. Lots more short runs, kinda like it.

 

Now that I think of it - I don't see the need to talk about what other carriers are charging. I feel like I've got a pretty close handle on shipper rates for some of these bigger shippers that won't deal with 1 truck carriers, I have hauled a few broker loads for them in past. As well as back when I was under another authority I had the direct rates then. Same story - steadily good paying for steady service. Not insane - but also no big deal if I deadhead home for every load. The extra is just gravy...