Rates and Brokers

[Dinky]

I am wondering if there is a way we can get rid of some of the crappy load brokers from our industry. I will apologize now if I am starting a new thread on an old topic and if I am please direct me to the thread. Being and owner operator from Canada I have noticed the last while brokers popping up and cutting the heck out of the rates. Today I called on a load from Outlook SK to Miami FL. 2700 miles and the rate was $2250 or 84 cpm, needless to say I told him where he could put his load. I am finding this more and more these dam brokers are popping up and killing the rates. And of course they all say well these loads work good for a back haul. Unfortunately they are trying to turn all the loads into back hauls. I am not positive but I am sure this same thing must be happening in the States as well as Canada.
I realize the simple solution is do not use them and trust me I don't but someone must be.
Any suggestions?

[ToxicWaste]

Steal business from brokers every chance you get! Turn their customers into your customers! Dont worry about their clause in the broker/carrier contract, none of them enforce it!!

[GMAN]

About the only way to deal with these low rates it to not haul the cheap loads. You cannot do anything about those who place NO value on their services, they won't be around too long, anyway. You can make a decision to not participate in taking cheap loads. Going direct to shippers might help to keep rates up. Brokers are only half the problem. Until you get rid of those who insist on taking these cheap loads out of the business, rates will continue to suffer. Keep in mind that things will turn around in a few months. The more people who go broke from hauling cheap loads the more capacity will be taken out of the marketplace. That should result in higher rates as demand increases after the first of the year. Things usually improve in the spring.

[Heavy Duty]

I am wondering if there is a way we can get rid of some of the crappy load brokers from our industry

They are just like lot lizards, if they were not selling their services they wouldn't be around.


One of the problems is too many people coming into the business using load boards as their only source of freight and having no idea about rates and traffic lanes.

Do you think shippers are paying less? Not really, brokers are just keeping more because they can.

I have still yet to see a broker or shipper with a gun forcing a cheap load on a truck, usually see a driver with his name on the door bragging about running under his own authority.

[rank]

Figure out who the shipper in Oakbrook, Sk is and go pitch him.

[Paul McGraw]

Wow, and Florida loads really need to pay better than average since there is NO FREIGHT paying decent coming out of Florida.

I had my own authority for about a year, and had to give it up because of cheap brokers ruining the market rates. Twice after a lot of sales effort I found direct shippers to work with me, but lost them when someone else undercut my rates.

Some people seem to make a living, depending on specialty (flat, reefer, heavy haul, etc) and regional demand. But it seems that there are fewer and fewer little areas of prosperity these days.

Let us know if you figure out a better way to make money. Inquiring minds want to know.

[GMAN]

The best way to fight the cheap loads is to not haul them. Cheap loads don't affect you until they find their way on your truck. 8) Just imagine what would happen if every carrier and owner operator refused to haul freight for less than $2/mile!!

[Dinky]

I don't haul cheap loads, I am in the position to sit till I find something decent. However, these brokers seem to be spreading everywhere. Salt Lake City area was always good for me, lately I see those same cheap brokers in that area now. I agree with going staight to the shipper if you can find out who they are. One has to becareful, you don't want a reputation of being a back door operator. I get alot of great paying loads from good brokers and wouldn't dream of going behind their back.

[rank]

I'm not talking about back soliciting......you should be able to find out who the shipper is without taking the load from the broker..

[Bigmon]

One has to becareful, you don't want a reputation of being a back door operator. .

It's better to be a back door operator for 1.80 then a front door operator for .80cpm

[rank]

sometimes they deserve to be back doored.

I had someone call me today and "offer" Sanford, ME to Lakeland, FL. $1,500 on 1443 loaded miles. And this was into FLORIDA! Give me a break.

Ya Rank, that's what I've been seeing in New England the past few days trying to get out and not sure what's going on with that. They even post the $.80 cents per mile that they are paying?

[Doghouse]

I'll let you know about the NE this weekend,,.....should be interesting.

[rank]

I'll let you know about the NE this weekend,,.....should be interesting.

I had $3.50/mile but I had to go into Long Island. I countered with $4.50. No deal.

[GMAN]

I am wondering if there is a way we can get rid of some of the crappy load brokers from our industry. Any suggestions?

I think this is the wrong question. The real question should be "How do we get rid of the crappy owner operators and carriers who haul these cheap loads from our industry."


In reality there is some of both. :evil: