uShip

[terrylamar]

uship.com Has anyone heard of this or used it? I seem to remember some commercials on Sirius not so long ago. I've been checking it out, it seems interesting. It doesn't have alot of loads in comparison to some other load boards. You can check out what others are bidding. The major downside is that it is a bidding process and who wants to sit around waiting to find out if they won a bid or not.

 

[Sinister]

I looked at it a few years ago, it seemed messy to me. I'm sure it's changed a bunch if they can afford to advertise on Sirius.

In my short time behind a desk I used GetLoaded.com and InternetTruckStop.com. Both sites allow users to rate the brokers, and offer ratings on quality based from user feedback. Of course, I dispatched in the stone age...like in 03...

DAT services is what my office uses now, but I'm not sure how that works on a laptop, or really know anything about it.

 

[terrylamar]

I can get the demo versions of some of these load boards. Until my USDOT and MC# are active I can't subscribe to the services. I am looking at ATS Sureway, Landstar, Trans Corp, Truckers Edge, Get Loaded, 123loadboard and uShip among others. I can't subscribe to them all because of cost. I might subscribe to three and there are a few that are free, you just have to sign up and send in your paperwork.

Cashflow is going to be a problem for awhile. I'm thinking of using a factoring service and ween myself off it asap. I may end up getting an inexpensive 48' flatbed to earn money. Hopefully, I can affor an almost new stepdeck fully spec'd for how I want. Then I will think about getting additional trailers. I may try to stay in Texas, mostly, taking the occasional long trip to somewhere interesting. Maybe focus on short heavy haul runs in Texas. Find shippers I can haul for direct. I'll have to see how this plays out.

 

[Sinister]

Go with the more reputable sites, whichever they turn out to be. Subscription fees are deductible, I would think.

 

[Freight Coach 2]

Hi terrylamar
Stick with the companies that are most reputable. Another option that you can consider is not paying for a load board at all but signing up for the various email blasts that are available on upcoming loads, signing on with a company that offers dispatch services- as then they find loads for you but as an owner operator you can still choose what you will and will not accept, or utilizing the various free boards that are available. If you would like any help in anything - let me know. I work as an Operations Manager and have several carriers in which I assist in finding loads and dispatch for as well.

Thanks
Happy Trucking!!

 

[terrylamar]

Hi terrylamar
Stick with the companies that are most reputable. Another option that you can consider is not paying for a load board at all but signing up for the various email blasts that are available on upcoming loads,

Never heard of such a thing. I will look on the internet, but if I can't find information, where would I go?

signing on with a company that offers dispatch services- as then they find loads for you but as an owner operator you can still choose what you will and will not accept,

Same thing. Where do I find these companies?

or utilizing the various free boards that are available.

I have been looking at load boards on the internet. Though, I have limited experience with load board, free or pay, it seems you get what you pay for. Free boards are free for a reason. Not that it would stop me from looking. I think having a quality paid load board or two would be the way to go. Experience will tell me.

If you would like any help in anything - let me know. I work as an Operations Manager and have several carriers in which I assist in finding loads and dispatch for as well.

Sure, find me high paying, light, loads to Alaska and return freight to Texas every two weeks! Seriously, I'm not sure what you are offering. Maybe you can tell me what you can do for me. I still have much to learn and I would be interested in a service that will help me make money.

Thanks

Happy Trucking!!

Thank you.

 

[Freight Coach 2]

As for the email blast- it is work- there are a few options out there on where to go- but most are pricey and really do no good. What I have done is develop my own email blast system. Started by building a database of carriers, we have top of the line software for marketing to both our customers and for emailing our carriers so this makes it much easier as I can send out all of the emails at once just by doing a quarry of who I want to send this too. As for the companies- we have carriers that we work with that tell us where they are heading (if they are not on one of our loads by chance) and when they will be empty. Often we can find them the next load. They DO NOT have to accept what we find but we give them options. Load searching and load posting are both down (as I said I have many loads that never see a load board as they are booked internally- especially the backhaul loads and the top paying loads) Yes you do get what you pay for- but there are some free load boards that for a new limited finance carrier or broker can help them in getting started. We have both Transcore and Internet Truckstop that we use as well as internal load boards and several others that we do use at times if needed. Basically what we can assist with is many aspects of your business from dispatching for your truck or trucks to coaching and training you as a broker to business planning and marketing. A bit about me- well I have an Associates Degree in Business and am working on my Bachelors Degree. I am the "jack of all trades" so to speak as I have done grant proposal writing, business plan writing, financial planning and cost analysis, do various marketing, and also work as an Operations Manager for a Freight Froward Agency. I have several owner operators I have worked with on determining what is the best plan of action for them personally...as it truly depends on what your personal life needs are as well (do you need certain home time, what type of truck do you own- is that appropriate for the given area you are trying to run, what are your short term and long term goals) Very rarely is anyone in any business successful without a plan of action to obtain their goals and realistic goals! Do my services cost- YES- but compared to market trends- they are extremely reasonable- and I do offer FREE consultation! As the Operations Manager there is a great deal I can assist with as well! I know where many loads are - what is paying the most- what the trends are- etc. That is my true job and to know it all very well! While we are Freight Forwarders We are EXTREMELY fair to all carriers! Our goal is to be a team and work together to enable everyone to make money! Are you going to make $5.00 per mile - NO not unless you are moving specialized loads- are you going to make decent money and at least the average- yes! Are there good with the bad- OF COURSE! When taking loads you have to think outside the box- think ahead - what will the next load be? Will you have a deadhead for your next load? What are the outbound rates or availability where you are delivering to? Factor that in on the inbound to make up for the back haul rate! IT can be done- I do it all the time!

 

[terrylamar]

I am going to have to punctuate your one, massive paragraph so I can comprehend what you are trying to tell me.

 

[terrylamar]

As for the email blast- it is work- there are a few options out there on where to go- but most are pricey and really do no good.

What I have done is develop my own email blast system. Started by building a database of carriers, we have top of the line software for marketing to both our customers and for emailing our carriers so this makes it much easier as I can send out all of the emails at once just by doing a quarry of who I want to send this too.

As for the companies- we have carriers that we work with that tell us where they are heading (if they are not on one of our loads by chance) and when they will be empty. Often we can find them the next load. They DO NOT have to accept what we find but we give them options.

Load searching and load posting are both down (as I said I have many loads that never see a load board as they are booked internally- especially the backhaul loads and the top paying loads)

Yes you do get what you pay for- but there are some free load boards that for a new limited finance carrier or broker can help them in getting started.

We have both Transcore and Internet Truckstop that we use as well as internal load boards and several others that we do use at times if needed.

Basically what we can assist with is many aspects of your business from dispatching for your truck or trucks to coaching and training you as a broker to business planning and marketing.

A bit about me- well I have an Associates Degree in Business and am working on my Bachelors Degree. I am the "jack of all trades" so to speak as I have done grant proposal writing, business plan writing, financial planning and cost analysis, do various marketing, and also work as an Operations Manager for a Freight Froward Agency.

I have several owner operators I have worked with on determining what is the best plan of action for them personally...as it truly depends on what your personal life needs are as well (do you need certain home time, what type of truck do you own- is that appropriate for the given area you are trying to run, what are your short term and long term goals) Very rarely is anyone in any business successful without a plan of action to obtain their goals and realistic goals!

Do my services cost- YES- but compared to market trends- they are extremely reasonable- and I do offer FREE consultation! As the Operations Manager there is a great deal I can assist with as well! I know where many loads are - what is paying the most- what the trends are- etc. That is my true job and to know it all very well! While we are Freight Forwarders We are EXTREMELY fair to all carriers! Our goal is to be a team and work together to enable everyone to make money! Are you going to make $5.00 per mile - NO not unless you are moving specialized loads- are you going to make decent money and at least the average- yes! Are there good with the bad- OF COURSE! When taking loads you have to think outside the box- think ahead - what will the next load be? Will you have a deadhead for your next load? What are the outbound rates or availability where you are delivering to? Factor that in on the inbound to make up for the back haul rate! IT can be done- I do it all the time!

 

[terrylamar]

OK, the above is my punctuation to make it clearer for me.

I am interested in hearing more about your services. You may contact me either here for all to see or by PM or email.

I am a new venture. I am in the process of getting my own authority. I should have it in a week or so. I have over (barely) four years flatbed experience. I have two years as a company driver with TMC and over two years with ATS Specialized both as a lease operator and an owner operator leased on to ATS. This includes general flatbed freight as well as over dimensional freight.

I have experience in all states, except HI and I deliver and load in many Provinces in Canada. I have, or soon will have, operating authority in Canada. I prefer the West, though I have been to all the big cities in the NE. I have a 53' stepdeck with a sliding rear axle, allowing me to go into CA and Canada. I prefer to run Texas, the West and Canada. I'll accept loads to the Midwest and the Southeast. I try to avoid the Northeast, but will consider any load if the rate is good enough.

I like specialized freight, eventually, I will get more specialized trailers like extendables and or RGN's. I tend to turn down lumber, sheetrock and loads from Lowes. Steel loads are OK as long as I don't wait forever to be loaded, or pay me for my time. I don't work for free.

Get back to me and let me know specifically what you can do to enhance my business.

 

[Swampy]

If you like things like, how much would you charge to take my sons tricle fro NY to LA ,they will fit right in your plans.
They do have some good freight, but you have to bid on it and my high bids where always thrown out.