Using the Load Boards - Successes and Failures

i made a statement similar to that comment. once. LOL

and as far as the secrecy goes. it's always been that way around here. and when you try to speak a helpful comment. you get chewed out.

 

Slyfox, that is exactly the kind of info I was hoping for. I understand you wouldn't give out your exact loads, lanes, and broker dealings. HOW, you operate to be successful is what we who are ignorant in your world are looking for to become successful when we get into that world.

 

My broker is giving me $2100 flat rate from California to Washington. Do you guys think this is a good rate. What's the rate for reefers now days? I asked a few people, but they all had a different number.

 

That is hugely subjective, you haven't said what the freight is, but I assume it is in a reefer. Reefers add cost. Plus, where in California, to where in Washington? San Diego vs. Sacramento is a huge difference.

To stay on topic, how are you dealing with your broker? You say this is a flat rate. Is it not negotiable? Is this your only broker, or do you have others?

 

yes, I'm hauling fresh produce. It's from Stockton to Federal way,Washington. I believe the price is negotiable. Right now I'm using one broker. I'm contemplating whether I should use Dot load board. Do you have any experience or recommendation for a dot load-board? Thanks

 

Definitely use more than one broker. That's where the money is. You pit one against another when your truck is available. I don't know how many times I've told a broker "Well, I was offered $2800 on a similar load but turned it down" when I never got that offer. But, the broker goes ahead and gives me the load for $2900 just to get me on it.

When they think they have someone who will genuinely do the load, they don't want to have to go back fishing in the ocean, they'd rather try and reel in what they have on the line. And even if that means paying more, so be it. They can close the load and move on to booking another one.

 

I for one try my best not to move anything that comes out less than $2 mi. But there will be moments when you have to bite the bullet to get into a better lane.

I run flat bed (Step Deck). My week started out great. Did a $2.60 mi load from Vegas to Solomon KS. That was a CRST load to boot. Then got $3.26 mi from Hillsboro KS to Cody Wy. I didnt think I would get jack coming out of Cody,.. but scored a load of Hay going to Portales Nm at $2 mi. Nothing to brag about,.. but considering everything else I saw was between $1.10 and $1.40,. I thought I did alright. Portales NM turned out to be the end of the road. After sitting 2 days at the Walmart, I ended up hauling some spray tanks @ $1.66 mile for 370 miles over to Hewitt Tx. I had to DH a few miles to get a good paying load out,. but over all it was a profitable week.

I think being at the right place at the right time,.. plus a little bit of honey goes a long way.

 

Once the broker gives you a flat rate, you should know how many total miles you will roll, from start to finish...than do the math to get what you will be paid per mile..

My dispatcher, while I was in the office, said to the broker; "anymore we can add to that number?". I said to myself; " don't ever ASK!". I will start as an Tru-Lease Purchase I/C on June 3rd and I have been getting phone numbers from Contacts I meet out on the road. I hope to be able to deal with just a half dozen brokers but, time will tell.

 

These are excellent suggestions. Can you please give a list of good brokers. I usually haul in the western states. I'm currently using one broker. I need to find more.
Thanks

 

Trial and error. Lots of brokers. Register on some of the subscription based boards. Diversify and expand your searches. If you see a good paying load, dont hessitate, call and find out if its feasible and make sure its going close to an area that will pay decent coming back out. If not.. make sure you get paid enough going in that if you have to DH out or bite the bullet and take a cheap load, that it wont cost you to do it. Get your wife, son, brother involved. Have them watching the boards for well paying loads. 5 mins can mean the difference between booking that load or losing it to someone else who was quicker on the redial.

I'm leased to a company. They dispatch my loads. I almost never sit. I have set criteria for loads I will and wont take. It usually all works out. Main reason I like this arrangement is the fact I dont have to worry about finding loads.