Some questions about the DAT load board.

I have the free version just looking around. Interested in becoming an owner operator later this year.

Some loads say for example, Houston - Houston. 0 miles. $11,000. What does this mean? I'm assuming it's out and back?

Some loads have no price. Are they expecting you to call and make an offer?

Do you always try to negotiate on the listed price? Is there a rule of thumb about this like a certain price per mile you aim for?

Just trying to make some sense of this. Any other tips would be great.

 

I have seen examples of City A - City A as a fully loaded round trip, yeah. Or sometimes it’s not accurate at all and you’ll need to call and ask.

Yes many loads don’t show a price. You’re expected to call and get baited. Have an opening price in mind and a bottom price before calling.

There were times for me that the load was listed high enough and it was a great backhaul that I offered their price. Most of the time it was a negotiation. Many times they wouldn’t meet my price and I’d tell them no thanks. A few times they’d call back but usually not.

DAT was definitely worth the $40 a month for me as a new authority OO. Be prepared for brokers to turn you down until you have 1, 3, 6+ months of authority.

 

Yes, judging by the rate, it sure is a round trip...you start in Houston go to...for instance Portland Maine and then go back to Houston.
Some have rates some don't. You call on all of them regardless and argue for better money as a matter of good practice.
The reason some post the rate is that it may be enticing enough at the very start to call that listing first or quite the contrary, it may be a rattle snake warning - like don't call us and expect you'll win a jackpot.

 

Join OOIDA. You will get a discount on DAT.

You'll pay a little more but if you get the version that has the 15-day average you'll have a much closer idea of where the prices are.

It's generally low but it's a good barometer for you to gauge at least somewhat where the price should be. Your goal is to always be above whatever that average rate is. Once you know your Market you know how much above that you can be.

And I have to say sometimes it can bite me in the rear end I suppose, but if you see the most incredible load paying the most incredible amount of money you can't believe they're paying that much...

Always call them and ask for more.

ALWAYS ask for more.

 

In short, the spot market is like a middle eastern bazaar. You haggle. That’s the fun part of playing the market!

 

Personally I rarely call loads that don't have an offer amount on them. I assume they're typically super cheap brokers.

 

Over 95% of the loads on DAT TruckersEdge are fake. EIther they want you to make more drops than what is posted, or they want you to drive more miles than what is posted. Sometimes they just want you as a backup, in case their driver does not show up.

This is entirely DATs fault for not even trying to censor spammy posts. Dont give them your money!

 

"Fun"? Is it you that advertise all these sofas on OfferUp for $1234?

 

You are likely missing out on good loads. I can’t recall, have you been an owner operator long? When times are bad and you’re only willing to call posted loads then your truck probably won’t move or will do so cheaply.

 

If it was "good load" the broker would be calling around to get it moved or throw up a good price to get it moved.