New w/ a few questions?

[blueslover]

I have officially become a statistic. The staffing company I was with went under due to the economy. I am looking to go out on my own and am researching the trucking industry as a sales agent. It looks very similar to my last position where I found the jobs and match the people to the job. I have talked with several brokers and am starting to understand their side of the business. As a result, I have a few questions for your side of the business.

I have a lot of contacts with retail furniture stores; as a result, I am not worried about finding customers. I am worried about finding and matching up the trucks. I would really appreciate it if someone could answer a few questions!

1. How do I know your rate so I can quote the customer while I have them on the phone?
2. What do I do if I only have ½ or ¼ of a truckload that needs to be delivered?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[CDL holder]

I'm not sure I understand your thinking process but it sounds like you're confused. The retail furniture stores receive deliveries from trucks but they do not usually pick the carrier, the shipper/manufacturer would pick the carrier. I suppose a large chain could get a better price from the manufacturer if they told them that they (as the buyer) would provide the transportation??

You would find trucking rates by calling the company and asking them through sales and/or you could subscribe to a load board or you could go through a broker service.

If you don't have enough to fill a truck (truckload or TL) you would get a discount because the weight is reduced but you would probably be better off to go with a Less Than Truckload (LTL) carrier that charges according to the size/weight of the shipment instead of by the truckload. You can also use a combination of both were a truckload carrier hauls it for the long distance and delivers to a break-bulk LTL distribution center where it is divided up for delivery to individual stores.

I may have misinterpreted your question and there are probably others that can answer you better but this is my take on it.

[pro1driver]

Originally Posted by blueslover

I have officially become a statistic. The staffing company I was with went under due to the economy. I am looking to go out on my own and am researching the trucking industry as a sales agent. It looks very similar to my last position where I found the jobs and match the people to the job. I have talked with several brokers and am starting to understand their side of the business. As a result, I have a few questions for your side of the business.

I have a lot of contacts with retail furniture stores; as a result, I am not worried about finding customers. I am worried about finding and matching up the trucks. I would really appreciate it if someone could answer a few questions!

1. How do I know your rate so I can quote the customer while I have them on the phone?
2. What do I do if I only have ½ or ¼ of a truckload that needs to be delivered?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

your best bet is to get on with a "brokerage house" and learn from them. once you have enough knowledge on freight rates and such, go out on your own.