| You just won a new contract with that big client | | | | 1. Check any freight broker's authority documents |
| that will double your manufacturing output, and | | | | and bond and make sure that the names and |
| your current freight provider can't handle the | | | | address on all documents match. If they don't |
| extra number of loads. What do you do? You've | | | | match it may be a scam. |
| been called numerous times by that freight broker | | | | 2. Ask them about, and check their experience |
| but you don't know anything about them or how | | | | and reputation. How long have they been in |
| they operate. Here are some tips and some | | | | business? Are they truly that expert you need or |
| compelling reasons why you just might benefit by | | | | are they new to the game? Do they have any |
| choosing a freight broker to haul your loads, | | | | specializations? Are they members of industry |
| whether it's your overflow freight or all of your | | | | associations, or have they won any awards for |
| freight. | | | | service? |
| First let's briefly go over why to consider a | | | | 3. Ask them about their size, as it does make a |
| freight broker in the first place. They don't own | | | | difference. The bigger they are the more they've |
| their own trucks so what are the benefits? | | | | already proven themselves to be trustworthy |
| To start with, covering loads for their clients and | | | | AND they have access to many more available |
| managing shipments from pick-up to delivery are | | | | trucks. |
| freight brokers' number one full time jobs. They | | | | 4. Ask them about their financial stability. Ask |
| aren't doing anything else. This enables them to | | | | them what their credit worthiness ratings are and |
| become experts: experts on routing, experts on | | | | make sure to ask them how they pay the |
| lane rates, experts on areas and regions of the | | | | carriers they work with. Do they pay carriers fast |
| country, experts on the intricacies of shipping | | | | or to they wait for you to pay your bill first? If |
| different types of commodities and on different | | | | they aren't paying the trucks fast it's a red flag. |
| types of equipment. Unlike an actual trucking | | | | 5. Ask and investigate their attitude towards |
| company who only has access to their own | | | | ethics and integrity. Will they always do the right |
| trucks, freight brokers have access to thousands | | | | thing? How do they treat the hard working |
| of carriers and trucks, and they know who is | | | | drivers? |
| empty and where. This is extremely helpful in | | | | 6. Ask them about their operations. Do they offer |
| getting short notice spot freight picked up on | | | | a single point of contact or are you left with |
| time. Freight brokerages also typically carry | | | | dealing with "whoever" answers the phone? Do |
| additional cargo insurance that will help protect | | | | they have operations open 24 hours a day |
| your loads should there be a claim. | | | | including weekends and holidays? Lastly do they |
| Now how to do you select the right one that fits | | | | have robust technology to aid in the tracking and |
| your business? | | | | managing of the freight as it's on the road? |
| You have to conduct the same type of due | | | | 7. Most importantly ask your freight broker how |
| diligence you would with any other vendor. This is | | | | they communicate. Are you left wondering what's |
| your final product moving across the country...and | | | | going on with your freight or are they keeping |
| you've already sold it to your client; you can't | | | | you updated every step of the way? Lack of |
| trust it with just anybody. Unfortunately there are | | | | communication and information indicates a freight |
| some unsavory and unethical freight brokers out | | | | broker really isn't managing your shipment. |
| there, and even worse...there are scam artists | | | | Follow these suggestions and you should end up |
| that will take your load, send you a bill, find a | | | | selecting an appropriate and trustworthy freight |
| truck and run off with the money never paying | | | | broker to haul your shipments. Freight brokers |
| the hardworking driver that delivered the | | | | and 3PL's control over $60 billion in logistics |
| freight.Leaving you holding the bag. | | | | expenses, but it is important to ask the right |
| Here's how to conduct that due diligence to | | | | questions and fully vet out any provider you may |
| ensure you select the best freight broker. | | | | be considering. |