Newbie's Rate Confirmation Questions

[MapTrotter23]

Hi,

Grew up around trucking and after being laid off, considering becoming a trucker. Have some questions about rate confirmations and load agreements that I'd like answered. Will list my questions out, hopefully someone could help me out.

1. How much before a load begins does the M/C usually get a Rate Confirmation/Load Agreement
2. Who drafts the Rate Confirmation/Load Agreement?
3. How is it sent (Faxed, emailed, etc.)
4. How does the driver receive the info in the Rate Confirmation/Load Agreement? Is it sent directly to them or does the dispatch send them the details separately?
5. If you have the same load every week, do you need a Rate Confirmation/Load Agreement for every specific load.

Please let me know. If you could answer based on the specific numbered question your responding to, I think that'd be most helpful. You guys are awesome!

 

[terrylamar]

1. Get your Rate Confirmation Load Agreement before you move your truck. If you trust your broker, you can move on their word, buyer beware.

2. The broker or agent you are dealing with. Make sure it contains everything you have agreed to. If not, call them and get it added and another one sent to you.

3. It is sent anyway that is acceptable to you and the broker/agent. It will save time and money if you have internet service and a fax in your truck, or have given someone the authority to sign in you name in an office somewhere.

4. Everything should be on the Load Confirmation Load Agreement. The broker is usually the dispatcher. In really large brokerages, you may deal with a different person.

5. Yes, you need a new Rate Confirmation Load agreement for each and every load. It is an addendum to the contract you set up with the broker. You need the load number to get paid.

 

[MapTrotter23]

1. Get your Rate Confirmation Load Agreement before you move your truck. If you trust your broker, you can move on their word, buyer beware.

2. The broker or agent you are dealing with. Make sure it contains everything you have agreed to. If not, call them and get it added and another one sent to you.

3. It is sent anyway that is acceptable to you and the broker/agent. It will save time and money if you have internet service and a fax in your truck, or have given someone the authority to sign in you name in an office somewhere.

4. Everything should be on the Load Confirmation Load Agreement. The broker is usually the dispatcher. In really large brokerages, you may deal with a different person.

5. Yes, you need a new Rate Confirmation Load agreement for each and every load. It is an addendum to the contract you set up with the broker. You need the load number to get paid.

Thanks a ton! Do you know if the Rate Confirmation/Load Agreement includes everything, including cargo details/cargo directions? Does it breakdown payment to the carrier or just the payment for the driver as well (if different)?

 

[terrylamar]

Thanks a ton! Do you know if the Rate Confirmation/Load Agreement includes everything, including cargo details/cargo directions? Does it breakdown payment to the carrier or just the payment for the driver as well (if different)?

The broker's deal with the carrier doesn't concern you. The carrier's deal with you, doesn't concern the broker. In this circumstance, I'm not sure that you will even see the Rate Confirmation Load Agreement. Your carrier will pay you what they pay you. Hopefully you have some agreement in place saying what you will be paid. If it is based on the Rate Confirmation Load Agreement, hopefully, you will get a copy to keep your carrier honest.

It would be nice to have that much detail, usually they don't. It should have at a minimum, the Date and Time of Pickup and Delivery, Shipper, and Receiver's address and POC., the Rate, including everything broken down and generically what the commodity is and the shippers load number. I like to have more detail when possible. State that the driver does not load or unload. State that it is tarped or no tarp. Commodity details. What it is, how many pallets, pieces, what the weight is. State that it is a legal load. When you get to the shipper and this doesn't match up, call the broker and negotiate a new agreement covering the cost of permits, tarping, excessive wait times, self loading or unloading, use of ramps or other special equipment. The more details you have, the better off you are.

 

[MapTrotter23]

Thank you, Terrylamar.

I know I might be pushing my luck here, but what is a POC?

Also, you said "It would be nice to have that much detail, usually they don't. It should have at a minimum, the Date and Time of Pickup and Delivery, Shipper, and Receiver's address and POC., the Rate, including everything broken down and generically what the commodity is and the shippers load number." Is this all in the load agreement/rate confirmation?

 

[terrylamar]

Thank you, Terrylamar.

I know I might be pushing my luck here, but what is a POC?

Also, you said "It would be nice to have that much detail, usually they don't. It should have at a minimum, the Date and Time of Pickup and Delivery, Shipper, and Receiver's address and POC., the Rate, including everything broken down and generically what the commodity is and the shippers load number." Is this all in the load agreement/rate confirmation?

POC is point of contact.

It would be nice to have all possible information concerning the load, but you will never get it all.