I've noticed sometimes on the load boards that more than one broker lists what seems to be the exact same job. For example a job which originate from the same city and have the same destination city and list the same mileage. Are these just brokers getting loads from another broker? Do shippers just call a bunch of brokers to move one load? Something else?

It isn't uncommon for shippers to send out loads to more than a single broker. It is also not uncommon for brokers to double broker loads. You can find the same load with 3 or 4 different brokers and each could have a different rate.

I've been looking for loads for dad during my free time. This has been something that confused me. so thanks for clearing it up.


I have another couple of questions. Why is it that brokers seem to post a load right before they close for the day? Why do they leave loads on the board when they are taken? I have seen some left up for several hours.

Sometimes there is a lag between the time a load is taken down and when it disappears from the load board. I think brokers either get too busy or don't want to expend the effort to take the post down. Most brokers will post loads as they come in to their office unless they have trucks waiting. If they post at the end of the day they probably do so to get a jump on the next day.

I wondered if they had to pay for each load they listed and they kept the loads up to generate leads for other loads they might have.

Some shippers fax or email a list of avaible loads to a lot of brokers then they scramble to cover what they can.