The ugly truth about Landstar

that's actually what I would rather do. that's what I came to prime to do was flatbed but with a lack of trainers for flatbed and me needing money bad I took up the reefer and ran with it. I was lucky, I ended up with 2 different trainers that were friends and now over a year later I still talk to them on a regular basis. major information centers they are. how does that work at LS when you have no prior flatbed experience that can be proved. (I did a little driving a flat for my uncle on the backroad when I was 17-18. he wouldn't be much help as a reference though. to many duis on him.

 

I am the nagociating King.I negociate every single load.I refuse to haul ''cheap'' loads...Pay my rate or give it to another BCO or a an outside carrier.

I do not work cheap.I am dam good at what i do and i know what i am worth...

 

that's just about all there is to say. any more would probably be a lie and any less and you would be broke.

 

Wow a lot of angry drivers. Personally I run my own trucks using load boards and by doing so have built relationships with a few brokers in areas that I like to run to the point that they call me to see if I have a truck in their area. I do some LS loads and as has been stated some agents you just check off the list as only moving cheap freight no matter what time of year, others offer 1.80 to over 2 pm to move loads and that is just for an approved carrier, would be more for a BCO. I have found that I really enjoy the negotiating aspect of what I do. I 100% agree with the learning curve, you must learn to walk before you run or the results are your just another statistic..

 

I talked with a recruiter at landstar. Asked if the bco has to negotiate a price. She said if you work for a fleet the rates are set. If your a bco you can negotiate.

 

Any tips on how to negotiate freight at Landstar or should I keep watching Pawn Stars? The freight I am moving now pays well but I would like to be paid more for driver assist pay. I make sure I do whatever I can at the customer while helping to off load and I also ask if they can put in a good word for me with broker.

 

Excellent post. To answer your question, yes and no. Some rates are set contracted rates, some are spot market. BCO's can ask and we'll tell them honestly if it's a yes or a no.

Power of the polite spoken word. Ask. Worst they can say is no.

 

Same way you do it with ANY broker.

Act professional, realize that it's nothing personal and if it doesn't fit YOUR needs, decline the load.

Granted, I am not a BCO and only deal with LS on an occasional basis. My experience with them is, I get better rates out of CH Robinson.

 

Everything is open for negtiations! Always ask the worst they can say is NO!, On the heavy side everything is open to negotiations, but even on leagal frieght ive asked for more and have received it. I do believe its how you approach the situation and negotiate it all out.

 

Dewey.Once you know your CPM(YOU SOULD NO BY KNOW),you will be armed and dangerous.Keep in mind that this is your ''business''.You DO NOT have to agree to the rates the agents quoted the customer...Just because joe blow quoted the customer 1.90 a mile,does not mean you have to haul it for a 1.90 a mile..Do not be a ''needy'', ''desperate'' businessman forever thinking you have to be forced into hauling an agents ''cheap qouted loads''...

Today i negociated a round trip and LOST..Thats ok because i will enjoy my home life and wait for the ''good stuff''...I just had another agent call on a round trip and i want 3.00 out and 3.00 back.We will see if they find another DESPERATE BCO to do it...If they do find one,i am sure they will NOT call me back.Again,so be it.I refuse to go broke if they can not meet my minimum requirment of 2.25 a mile...

Never ever let these agents/brokers BULLY YOU AROUND..At least one time a week i tell at least one of them to GET ######...