Opinion: Best way to get Carriers

Pay good rates,,for legal size loads going over 500 miles at least $2.50/mile if shorter then the pay has to be higher,,remember you get what you pay for,,yes there are many that will haul cheap but service and dependable trucks are what will keep your shippers happy,,

 

Seams like a carrier starting out looking for brokers to haul for. Same thing for broker start working with carriers either through the load boards or word of mouth find good people to work with and stay in contact with them.

 

As for a carriers view a good rate is very important but also the credit rating of the broker, I generally never hauled for abroker that had not been in business for at least 2 years and had a good credit rating. I have hauled for new brokers with an agreement to be paid COD on delivery ,,Most of the brokers I hauled for not only had very good rates but also paid with in 24 hrs of delivery with no quick pay fees,,Of course they wanted and got exceptional service,,
My basic rule 25 years ago was to never let any broker owe me more than $5,000 at any one time until they established a good payment record and never hauled exclusively for one broker or shipper, I always spread out the risk..
First of all if you are going to broker freight do as carriers do,,check out your carriers as carriers would check out brokers,,
A good broker will not contract his freight to just any truck.

 

Very good advice.

 

That's great advice. But now I wonder how a new broker like myself is supposed to get some carriers. I don't plan on pushing more loads than my cashflow will allow and even thinking about giving carriers a 30-40% advance upon delivery. As a carrier, what would make you want to work with a new broker? I find myself to be honest and upfront and felt that was a good base, but I know this industry can be dirty.

 

Quick Pay......Discount 1 to 2 %

 

Just post it on the load boards and take calls. You are in a fantastic market right now for being a broker. If you don’t get calls then call on trucks posted. Money talks so just have freight that pays good and above what others are paying and you’ll get good carriers. With enough time you’ll begin to get regular carriers that you can call first. If your pay is really good and quick load and unload then carriers that have ran your freight before will start calling and emailing asking if you have another load.

One big thing is getting the factoring companies to accept you. Many factor and it’ll only become more as profitability goes down. Carriers won’t carry your load of their factor says no. In these times you have to call up the factor and convince them. Once you get some loads in the books of a few different factoring companies you’ll be good to go.

Otherwise like was mentioned you could offer to wire the funds upon delivery or send com check once the carrier gets onsite the receiver.

I would advise not doing any advances though as you’ll end up getting scammed.