Help me to understand

May 02, 2023 at 10:32 AM CST + 4
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Hello, This forum was started to help myself, a broker, to understand how to best help you. To avoid the issue of being like other brokers who quote wrong, send in wrong trucks, and just ruin it. I have a baseline knowledge of tanker and bulk. And would appreciate the help. if you are able to help me to understand the ins and outs that I need to know then I will be able to help you. My knowledge will translate into your first dips on what I bet setup. please email me at [email protected]

Replied on Tue, May 02, 2023 at 02:49 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Rough time to come over to the bulk world. Lots of hands in pots these days....I think the best advice that I can give is the following: 1.) Get a feel for the lanes and the rate that the shippers are trying to get them moved at. Ask them the specifics on what kind of trailers are needed, ask them about the product, and get every detail that you can. Reload availability ties in also, but number 2 will help out. 2.) Start calling a crud-ton of trucks. Ask them what they would need to haul the lane. 90 out of 100 guys are gonna be within $1/mi of each other. Don't trust the 10 that will haul it for absolutely absurdly low rates, because there is no loyalty there. They are either new, or dumb... They will go broke, and then you are left with a lane that nobody will touch; and YOU are still responsible for it. YOUR reputation is on the line. 3.) Negotiate the Lane. Come to the shipper with a price above what the trucks need to run the lane. Don't come in absurdly high, but don't come in low either. Right now there is no shortage of trucks so there isn't a whole lot of negotiating room, intitially; especially when you are new. Knowledge is really important in this industry, so do your homework and learn from everyone that you call. Respect your trucks, and they will ride or die with you. Our job as brokers is to help negotiate a better price for the truck, and help provide options for the shipper. We aren't needed, we are wanted; which is an important mentality to keep. Hope this helps, and good luck!

Replied on Tue, May 02, 2023 at 02:49 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Rough time to come over to the bulk world. Lots of hands in pots these days....I think the best advice that I can give is the following:

1.) Get a feel for the lanes and the rate that the shippers are trying to get them moved at. Ask them the specifics on what kind of trailers are needed, ask them about the product, and get every detail that you can. Reload availability ties in also, but number 2 will help out.

2.) Start calling a crud-ton of trucks. Ask them what they would need to haul the lane. 90 out of 100 guys are gonna be within $1/mi of each other. Don't trust the 10 that will haul it for absolutely absurdly low rates, because there is no loyalty there. They are either new, or dumb... They will go broke, and then you are left with a lane that nobody will touch; and YOU are still responsible for it. YOUR reputation is on the line.

3.) Negotiate the Lane. Come to the shipper with a price above what the trucks need to run the lane. Don't come in absurdly high, but don't come in low either. Right now there is no shortage of trucks so there isn't a whole lot of negotiating room, intitially; especially when you are new.

Knowledge is really important in this industry, so do your homework and learn from everyone that you call. Respect your trucks, and they will ride or die with you. Our job as brokers is to help negotiate a better price for the truck, and help provide options for the shipper. We aren't needed, we are wanted; which is an important mentality to keep. Hope this helps, and good luck!

Replied on Tue, May 02, 2023 at 03:26 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I'll also email you too, but I commented on the forum also. It's pretty basic stuff, but what are we without the basics? P.S. Johnny Smalls is a cool name. That alone might get you some brownie points with people in the industry.

Replied on Tue, May 02, 2023 at 09:07 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Without being rude, sometimes the best way to help is to realize the market is saturated, and rather than squeeze in, it may be best for everyone to stay with what you know. Right now the absolute best help you could be is to steer clear and not become part of the problem.

Replied on Tue, May 02, 2023 at 09:07 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "Rough time to come over to the bulk world. Lots of hands in pots these days....I think the best advice that I can give is the following: 1.) Get a feel for the lanes and the rate that the shippers are trying to get them moved at. Ask them the specifics on what kind of trailers are needed, ask them about the product, and get every detail that you can. Reload availability ties in also, but number 2 will help out. 2.) Start calling a crud-ton of trucks. Ask them what they would need to haul the lane. 90 out of 100 guys are gonna be within $1/mi of each other. Don't trust the 10 that will haul it for absolutely absurdly low rates, because there is no loyalty there. They are either new, or dumb... They will go broke, and then you are left with a lane that nobody will touch; and YOU are still responsible for it. YOUR reputation is on the line. 3.) Negotiate the Lane. Come to the shipper with a price above what the trucks need to run the lane. Don't come in absurdly high, but don't come in low either. Right now there is no shortage of trucks so there isn't a whole lot of negotiating room, intitially; especially when you are new. Knowledge is really important in this industry, so do your homework and learn from everyone that you call. Respect your trucks, and they will ride or die with you. Our job as brokers is to help negotiate a better price for the truck, and help provide options for the shipper. We aren't needed, we are wanted; which is an important mentality to keep. Hope this helps, and good luck!" also, know your cycles, what product moves where and at what time of the year. you can really obtain revenue by being proactive with your direct customers because most commodities are cyclical in nature. Good Luck!

Replied on Tue, May 02, 2023 at 09:07 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "Rough time to come over to the bulk world. Lots of hands in pots these days....I think the best advice that I can give is the following: 1.) Get a feel for the lanes and the rate that the shippers are trying to get them moved at. Ask them the specifics on what kind of trailers are needed, ask them about the product, and get every detail that you can. Reload availability ties in also, but number 2 will help out. 2.) Start calling a crud-ton of trucks. Ask them what they would need to haul the lane. 90 out of 100 guys are gonna be within $1/mi of each other. Don't trust the 10 that will haul it for absolutely absurdly low rates, because there is no loyalty there. They are either new, or dumb... They will go broke, and then you are left with a lane that nobody will touch; and YOU are still responsible for it. YOUR reputation is on the line. 3.) Negotiate the Lane. Come to the shipper with a price above what the trucks need to run the lane. Don't come in absurdly high, but don't come in low either. Right now there is no shortage of trucks so there isn't a whole lot of negotiating room, intitially; especially when you are new. Knowledge is really important in this industry, so do your homework and learn from everyone that you call. Respect your trucks, and they will ride or die with you. Our job as brokers is to help negotiate a better price for the truck, and help provide options for the shipper. We aren't needed, we are wanted; which is an important mentality to keep. Hope this helps, and good luck!"

also, know your cycles, what product moves where and at what time of the year. you can really obtain revenue by being proactive with your direct customers because most commodities are cyclical in nature.

Good Luck!

Replied on Thu, May 04, 2023 at 10:46 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "I'll also email you too, but I commented on the forum also. It's pretty basic stuff, but what are we without the basics? P.S. Johnny Smalls is a cool name. That alone might get you some brownie points with people in the industry." Thank you, apologies, I do not know if the email came through. I was looking for it but never found it