Signing with multiple companies
- Thread starter seekerman
- Start date
seekerman
Expert Expediter
Signing with multiple companies....
Hey guys. I am getting ready to buy a used sprinter and am new to the business. From what I have read, it seems to me that the way to combat "sit" time is to sign on with several companies. That way you have multiple opportunities for loads. Is the thinking skewed, out of line, or just not done. I haven't read about this approach yet. Thanks and good riding to everyone.
Hey guys. I am getting ready to buy a used sprinter and am new to the business. From what I have read, it seems to me that the way to combat "sit" time is to sign on with several companies. That way you have multiple opportunities for loads. Is the thinking skewed, out of line, or just not done. I haven't read about this approach yet. Thanks and good riding to everyone.
Re: Signing with multiple companies....
As you are new, you probably don't realize that posting the same question in two [or more places] is confusing, as it splits the replies & makes it hard to follow.
As this is the proper forum for the question, I'll say that it can be done, but is a headache. Most carriers expect you to be available, [the name brands, at least], and will begin dispatching around you if you often aren't. There's also the question of authority and insurance - if you don't have your own, you will need to make sure you're covered under someone's, and don't even think about running for Carrier A with Carrier B's signs on your vehicle....
Some of our members do it, but [especially for a newbie] it takes a good bit of knowledge & juggling to manage.
As you are new, you probably don't realize that posting the same question in two [or more places] is confusing, as it splits the replies & makes it hard to follow.
As this is the proper forum for the question, I'll say that it can be done, but is a headache. Most carriers expect you to be available, [the name brands, at least], and will begin dispatching around you if you often aren't. There's also the question of authority and insurance - if you don't have your own, you will need to make sure you're covered under someone's, and don't even think about running for Carrier A with Carrier B's signs on your vehicle....
Some of our members do it, but [especially for a newbie] it takes a good bit of knowledge & juggling to manage.
Re: Signing with multiple companies....
Similar problems can be encountered when leasing to 2 or more carriers.
Similar problems can be encountered when leasing to 2 or more carriers.
Use the search tab at the top of the page. Do a search for "multiple carriers". You will see some of the other discussions on this topic.
eb
eb
I work for Bolt Express and I have had a load every day i've been in service for the past 4 weeks cept over two weekends. So, you really don't need to lease on with multiple carriers if you are with the right carrier that can keep you busy.
Can this work? It can provided all parties understand your availability is limited and they are all willing to work with it. We have 3 guys doing that right now and for the most part it seems to work out (especially for one of them). Unfortunately it has caused some problems for dispatch when none of these part timers are available and they need a truck. Normally these part timers though whine about the lack of business out there but in reality they are spreading themselves too thin in trying to serve multiple masters and quite often they are in the wrong place.
Rob
Rob
chefdennis
Veteran Expediter
greg336 wrote:
LOL, you keep believing that, and that way the Drivers at Bolt won't have to worry about you hauling their freight...
I am not with Bolt anymore, but was for 3.5 yrs and i didn't leaver because i was hauling "the cheapest freight out there"...
Yes they will offer you a low ratein the hopes you will take it..but thats where knowing what you needs to operate your truck comes in....turndown the cheap stuff...they will come back with a higher rate...and over time they figure out that there is no reason to even offer you that low rate and will start at the higher rates...Talk to Paul and a few of the other Bolt drivers here, I believe he is averaging in to $.90-$1.00 a mile in a CV....EBSprintin just left Bolt, but i can tell you, he will tell you it wasn't because of "cheap rates"...
As with any carrier, you need to prove yourself todispatch that you can be depended on to do your part..be on time, communicate and be available...once they knowyou want to run and will , theywill take care of you....
LOL, you keep believing that, and that way the Drivers at Bolt won't have to worry about you hauling their freight...
I am not with Bolt anymore, but was for 3.5 yrs and i didn't leaver because i was hauling "the cheapest freight out there"...
Yes they will offer you a low ratein the hopes you will take it..but thats where knowing what you needs to operate your truck comes in....turndown the cheap stuff...they will come back with a higher rate...and over time they figure out that there is no reason to even offer you that low rate and will start at the higher rates...Talk to Paul and a few of the other Bolt drivers here, I believe he is averaging in to $.90-$1.00 a mile in a CV....EBSprintin just left Bolt, but i can tell you, he will tell you it wasn't because of "cheap rates"...
As with any carrier, you need to prove yourself todispatch that you can be depended on to do your part..be on time, communicate and be available...once they knowyou want to run and will , theywill take care of you....
PreacherRich
Seasoned Expediter
Hey Seeker,
I am real new at this but (3 weeks) but am running with 3 different carriers right now. I seems to working ok but still have "sit times". I have had a couple incidents where I was almost double booked where it could have caused huge problems. make sure when a carrier calls and tells you they are bidding on a load for you, that you let other carriers know that call with a bid that xxxx carrier is bidding on you too and you want to give them 15 minutes or what ever time you predetermine to give a carrier. I tell them if I dont hear back from them in 15 minutes that i will allow others to bid. Communication will really be the key when working for multiple carriers.
Do your research on the companies you are going to depend on. Very few really offer true 24 hour dispatch. Make sure they have a history of paying their drivers on time. You will also need 1,000,000 liability and 100,000 cargo when running for multiple carriers.
Ask lots of questions, use the search feature here and pray hard!
I am real new at this but (3 weeks) but am running with 3 different carriers right now. I seems to working ok but still have "sit times". I have had a couple incidents where I was almost double booked where it could have caused huge problems. make sure when a carrier calls and tells you they are bidding on a load for you, that you let other carriers know that call with a bid that xxxx carrier is bidding on you too and you want to give them 15 minutes or what ever time you predetermine to give a carrier. I tell them if I dont hear back from them in 15 minutes that i will allow others to bid. Communication will really be the key when working for multiple carriers.
Do your research on the companies you are going to depend on. Very few really offer true 24 hour dispatch. Make sure they have a history of paying their drivers on time. You will also need 1,000,000 liability and 100,000 cargo when running for multiple carriers.
Ask lots of questions, use the search feature here and pray hard!
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