question about booking loads

I used to jack rates aggressively with this particular agent and that's how I looked at it. But honestly fuel hasn't fluctuated enough for me to seriously ask for $25 extra here and there. My rates never go down but they're always $3+ a mile which has been ok with fuel being where it's at the past year. Now if it goes to $4.25 or $4.50 then obviously I'll push for more but until then it's always the same. Brokers like that,they always know what it will cost which saves time and aggravation for them.

 

Our computer system won't let us fella. Only ones who see FSC breakdown are BCO's because they are paid all of the FSC.

 

LS,

That wasn't a jab or anything, if anything I prefer the FSC NOT be included, like I mentioned, depending on the circumstance you have a better chance of increasing the rate if it's not included.

 

A lot of broker will add a FSC to the rate when I negotiate up successfully. I'm thinking that's how they can 'hide' the extra and keep the line haul rate level so that the customer doesn't choke at a higher rate.

 

You know what.. I got to thinking more, you asked me if my rate has ever went down.. As a matter of fact yes it has.. On one particular load that I ran about 2 dozen times I pushed the rate up to $900 gross on 138 loaded miles. Capacity was tight then and the customer had deep pockets. Fast forward to about a month ago the broker called and asked if I'd be interested in hauling it, so I said sure just name a rate, was told $700.. I booked it without hesitation, the rate was good.. Could I push it back up to $900? Likely I can when capacity gets tight again. I didn't need the load at any price. It was good at either or and I took it. We'll just have to see in the future if that one gets hot again. They dont have me pegged as someone who will cut the rate on a loads every time... I can walk away from that one at any rate and they do know that cause I've done it... Now if it was CHR or TQL that would go into the computer and there you have it, screwed, never cut the rate with them... With a broker that always pays good rates, just roll with it man... Never get bad rates from this one don;t even haggle most of the time. But when I know capcity is tight rates will go back up...

 

To the OP, I agree with everyone else. You don't settle on a rate and then say you want to think about it. That would IMO make you look like an amateur.

 

I try to book 3 weeks at a time. We've had agents bail out, and tell us it's our fault, even when they bail out, call us back, book, and then bail out again!

All I try to do is 3 loads, or 3 weeks, at a time. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Do what you can.