I'm thinking of becoming a broker/broker agent...opinions?
I'm currently considering becoming a broker or broker agent, being as such that my back condition (degenerative disk disease) is not going to let me drive, see the country, hide from lot lizards, and scare myself silly.
Is this a worthwhile endevour? There's a company advertising on thetrucker, Transport Training of America, Inc., that is offering a course which might be covered by vocational rehab. The course includes material such as:
+ The requirements of a broker and how to obtain them
+ The broker/freight agent similarity to the travel agent
+ Overview of the Workbooks, Textbook and Legal Terminology and Scenarios
+ Overview of the forms for Domestic Truck, Rail (Intermodal) Domestic and International Air and Ocean Freight
+ Review and Build the Shipper Packet
+ Writing your Business Profile and Developing the Shipper Letter.
+ What is a Contract between You and the Shipper?
+ Establishing the Shipper Credit Limits
+ Helpful Government Websites
+ Development of a Shipper Database
+ Development of a Carrier Database
+ Development of Rates
+ Marketing (10 sources for finding Shippers)
+ Contacting the Shipper
+ Prospecting
+ Developing the Shipper Profile
+ Developing the Carrier Profile
+ Using the Internet to determine where the Freight is but the Trucks aren't.
+ Discovering where the Shippers are.
+ Posting your loads
+ Finding Trucks
+ Posting Bid Requests
+ "Instant Notification"
+ Using the Thomas Register
+ Using the Thomas Regional Directory
+ Using the "Safer System" to qualify your Carriers
+ Mileage Calculations
+ Working the Internet Sources
- o Internet Truck Stop
- o Carrier Depot
- o Get Loaded
- o Flying J
- o H.I.S.
- o Post Everywhere
and more.
Do a lot of carriers and owner/ops use brokers, or would I just be wasting my time and effort? Does anyone know anyone who has went through this program? :?
Any advice, pointers, best wishes, run for the hills, etc. would be greatly appreciated.
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