Trucking from Rogers Arkansas to Red Oak Iowa. Meeting With FR8Connect To discuss Direct Shippers

[Mike]

As the title says, home to Red Oak, Iowa, and a break in the middle to talk to a company called FR8Connect regarding acquiring direct shippers and relying less on brokers. It was a pretty decent meeting, they were up front about what they are offering for their standard fee. They basically trickle out contact information from various shippers for the states you choose. The lowest option provides leads for three states, and the next two options increases the amount of states you have access to.

the introductory plans are really for people who just need easier access to names and numbers. There bigger plans include training on making those sales calls, or ultimately them making the calls and negotiating the deals for you.

 

[mndriver]

So they really become the broker…

“Direct “ shippers I learned wanted a truck there “at their Beck and call”. One truck can’t do it. Even the fleets have a local “shuttle” as a service to their customers not as a money maker. Keeps their contracts fulfilled.

The next best is having multiple drop trailers.

But being “spoon fed shippers” isn’t direct freight in my books. Just another way for a broker to skirt the law.

 

[Mike]

So they really become the broker…

“Direct “ shippers I learned wanted a truck there “at their Beck and call”. One truck can’t do it. Even the fleets have a local “shuttle” as a service to their customers not as a money maker. Keeps their contracts fulfilled.

The next best is having multiple drop trailers.

But being “spoon fed shippers” isn’t direct freight in my books. Just another way for a broker to skirt the law.

They are not brokers, nor anything close. They have gathered client information and they pass it on to you to contact and negotiate contracts.

They will also negotiate on your behalf or assist you, but the contract is made directly between you and the shipper.

Not sure why you say direct shipper contracts don’t work for one truck carriers. Thousands of them out there doing it successfully. Might not have worked for you, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t work for plenty others.

Yes, more will be expected of you. You negotiate a contract, you are expected to honor it in good faith. May require some sacrifice, depending on the contract.

It’s not for everyone. May not be for me, but it’s worth the time to research some local small shippers.

 

[mndriver]

Because every direct shipper I worked with decided that some other guy could come in and do it cheaper when they’d shoot a lower bid.

They’d call on a Monday night expecting a truck Tuesday morning and you’d best be there and if you’re 3 states away, it’s grounds to take you out of the Rolodex.

Let’s hear your actual direct shipper story and experience that has lasted 3-6 months. Ones that call you consistently regardless of all the times you’re off earning revenue and STILL keep you in their Rolodex and a primary offering.

As more than one shipper would tell me, “we want a trucking company we can email a list to Friday at 3 pm and know that all the trucks will be there for next week, Monday through Friday. We don’t want to babysit 300 loads we have going out.”


Or am I just too realistic for people to accept.