Brokers/Dispatch/Loadboards?? O My
 

Hello to all. I am gonna start with saying I am excited to finally beable to post on here after 2 weeks:) I have been following the boards for at least a month!
Ok here is my situation that I am looking for input on...
My wonderful boyfriend figured he could talk me into brokering for him. I have researched this to the max everyday with long hours and talked to him about this. (He has been driving a truck for 10 years) After the research and reading I have come to the conclusion brokers can been very shady! (It's the way of the world now a days) You can not make any money on loads going for under $2.00 a mile! That a carrier may destroy our trucks and steal money from a fuel card?? etc.etc.etc. WOW!
So we have 2 drivers we are getting ready to put in trucks next week. We joined a couple loadboards and have met with possible shippers. We are trying to stay in the midwest for the most part and so looking on the loadboards I am seeing a average of $2.25 a mile and fsc .47-.50! I think that is great:) So is it safe to stay running off loadboards at all times? I am not on here looking for people to tell me get out of the business I will screw it up I am looking for support and dependable people to answer some questions I may have and maybe even some new friends:) I do like to go to bed at night knowing I am not someone who scams people out of there money or hurting others! Maybe I am just to nice..hehe!
So thanks for listening(reading) and I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Did you mean he wants you to dispatch / find loads for him (him being an owner operator) off the boards? If you’re going to BROKER loads, you’ll need a bond ($10k minimum) and federal broker authority to legally do so. You said you’ve put in lots of research so surely you are aware of broker requirements, but it’s unclear from all you typed just what you are trying to do.

$2.25 per mile + fsc $0.47-0.50, that sound really great. Whats about backhaul? ~$1 per mile, then its no good.

Sounds like you will be a dispatcher. Rates (after fuel cost) in my lanes are the best I've seen in almost 5 years....so yeah you might be able to make a go of it by running off a DAT load board now. In a few months it could be a different story however....this business can turn on a dime.

Turned on a dime here here, we're in the $h!tter again.

You can make money from the loadboards. You may need to hone your negotiating skills. You will find cheap and good paying loads. With time you should develop some of your own contacts. Rates are beginning to decline again. It takes more effort to get the better rates. It may require sitting a day to get a better rate. I don't understand what you are talking about when you mention about a carrier destroying your trucks and stealing money from your fuel card. I would also not classify all brokers as dishonest. I have met some who were honest and helpful. I would caution anyone to be careful when doing business with any broker or shipper.

Really? Holy smokes it's *almost* name your price around here.

Rank! Could you please tell me were round here is i like "name my price!
As GMAN said im seeing a decline atleast in INDY. been here since monday trying to get my min. $3.00 w/fuel $4.20.........

I don't know if it's the recent weather events or what? This is awful.

You have a minimum of $4.20 a loaded mile? Your CPM can't be more than ~1.40 + driver....are you trying to profit over $2.80 a loaded mile?

Anyway, to answer your question;
Legal step deck loads from Baltimore/Dundalk, MD to ON = $4/mile. More money for all other destinations. There are several reasons *I think* why this lane pays what I think is a good rate;

1. TWIC required if loading at the port, but there are still good loads not at the port.
2. High fuel prices in Canada ($4.80 pump price as I write this) keep American trucks away.
3. ZERO freight coming out of Canada so you are guaranteed to DH out.
4. QC and ON law requires all trucks speed limiters to be set at 65 mph
5. The roads SUCK.

IMO, all of the above "problems" are minor issues and there are ways around all except the pot holes.

I think he means his minimum is 3.00/mile cuz fuel is 4.20/gallon.

ahhh, OK. I thought he was sayin' $3 + $1.20 for fuel.

what he said!

Might have to sit a few days for that price

I have been active since 4-11-2011 and I am fortunate enough that every load I haul from Kansas to Texas I get bankwired on immediately without any quickpay fees. I am a flatbedder and haul crushed cars a lot. Rates around here are $40/$45 per ton. I seem to always get loads back to Kansas that pay over $2/mile. Since I have started under my own authority I have averaged $2.04/mile for loaded and empty miles. I know guys out there are doing better but I am happy with this. I have hired driver and he seem happy with what I pay also. I pay $0.33/mile for all miles, loaded or empty.

Thanks everyone for some reason my last post did not save on here:( I am gonna dispatch loads and we do have a Broker Authority and all the good stuff to be legal:) We have 2 trucks and are ready to put them on the road. I was just trying to figure out if I could stay running off load boards for a bit and thanks to all for giving me feedback! Hope everyone stays safe out there and have a fantastic day!!

If you need some help give me a shout i can help you. It all depends on area. it all depends on what you are hauling and what price you need versus what you are willing to do to get the best price.

Hey everyone I need more advice:) I am looking for some help with info that should be written in a contract for a driver to use our truck? What kind's of information should be in there? We are paying for the insurance, fuel, and repairs but I want to make sure we keep it so everyone is safe and happy. Damage to truck? I am talking like smoking or eating in the truck? Thats all fine but what if he destroys it? Should there be anything else we should make sure to be in contract. Thanks to all who replay and have a great day:)

my opinion and advice whatever it is worth.......
 

First off, I would decide how you are going to operate the truck and driver; will they be lease, lease option (allow the driver the option to purchase @ set price after a certain leasing period, as Owner Operator, company driver. This is a must. I would say standard maintenance/repairs are taken care of by the company not "repairs". Repairs is too broad. I would say if the truck is destroyed driver is responsible for any cost over and above what the insurance will not cover. There again if he is a O/O then I think he should be responsible. OF course if he was going to be on a lease option or a lease and acting as a O/O for your company then he would be responsible for maintenance.

I think the best ideas are founded upon where all interested parties should have a meeting and decided what you have to have what they have to have and then the incidentals. this will ensure everyone is happy with the decision.

Seems to me by your posting he will be an employee. IF that is the case. YOU should say your minimum standards are ........SPELL THEM OUT. You should definately say that the employee is an "at-will" employee. My opinion alone take it with a grain of salt. I would also put into the employee-employer contract that this contract is subject to change at anytime because of change in policies within the company. I would also put into the agreement that "if any of these policies or agreements are in anyway violations under federal law then the remaining agreement will not be effected."

I am no lawyer on employee matters. I think the best agreements that i have done are where both side say this is what i want this is what you want. These are the negotiation factors that we would like these are what you would like. This way everyone is on the same page from the beginning.

If you are hiring people on as employees then you and your husband needs to sit down and create your Policies and procedures handbook. PERIOD! This way you can give one to every employee that you have that come in without it being different agreements for everyone. Everyone is on the same page when they come into the door. Have everyone sign a form stating that they have read and agree to the policies and procedures in the company handbook and give them a copy to keep with them at all times.

I think a great read for making your Policy and Procedure handbook would be

Chet Holmes: The Ultimate Sales Machine.

This is a must for anyone with their own business.

You basically need to write a contractor or employment agreement. Just lay out in black and white what you expect of him and what he can expect from you including compensation. If he will be an independent contractor you should have a clause that makes it clear that he is an independent contractor and is responsible for his own taxes. If you give him a fuel card, then you should have that listed on the agreement along with the account number. I would try to keep the agreement to 1-2 pages. If you want you could require him to put up a cash bond that can be taken out of his weekly settlement, or however you decide to pay him. You should be clear on his responsibilities and what may happen if he violates company policies. I would keep it simple, but concise.

Thanks again for the help. I will be looking for that book today:) I am going to meet with him and go over things and also get a feel and go over the papers we have written up. Hope everyone stays cool today it's suppose to be 110 here:(