Are freight agent broker job opportunities growing or declining?

Have to disagree with that last statement. Your customers are your customers. What you don't want to do is sign any form of non-compete with ANY company, large or small. That should be one of the first questions asked. Usually most companies won't ask for one from an "experienced" broker that has a considerable book of business. However a rookie might be asked to sign one only because they don't want to teach them the business, pass customers to them only to have them leave with that business. I personally wouldn't sign one either way.

The best thing Landstar has going for them is they have the most capacity and the cash...I am not a Landstar agent but one of my instructors has one of the top agencies at Landstar and he not doing to bad. Plus they have great technology and remember they have capacity.

As we move forward in this fuel crisis and it is a crisis. You better have plenty of cash, liquidy, be fluid and have some good technology.

Large and smaller brokers will not have much room for error. If you find a way to give more than you take
you will be both happy and propserous.

I think it was The King Salamon who said he would rather have knowledge over silver.

Bill gates said the wealth of the future will be made by those who have the information and can distribute is the fastest.

Everyone have a great weekend...

Moving Forward,

Jeff

An escrow to be an agent? Try Mason Dixon Lines or Matson America, I am an agent for both and there's never been any escrow. Matson has a good commission base, good software, and they are good to work with. Mason Dixon treats me like family and you have the advantage of being asset based carrier agent instead of a 3PL, which alot of customers don't care for.

Goadleafenterprise is an awesome company and I agree 100%

Nobody should have to put $ in an escrow account.

Jeff

I have seen a bit of talk about escrow here and yes agents should NOT have to. Also thou watch for the risk you carry on loads, a lot of brokerages say well you get 60% so you owe 60% of the load if it doesnt pay... part of being the parent brokerage should be carrying the risk. Being an agent is a great option for someone that wants to run their own brokerage with out the risk, time or many headaches that come with it. It will allow you the opportunity to focus on getting and moving freight and if you chose the right company you will be able to maximize your profits.
<br>
My check list when looking at brokerage: (hope it helps)<br>
-Non-compete / non-solicitation / anything tying my customers to them and away from me
-their credit history and reputation
-their customer qualifications and restrictions (it would horrible to join and then learn cant use your best customer)
-pay not only what the percentage is but what else (when, bonuses, requirements, chargebacks, fees...)
-tools and resources, some tools can add to your bottom line making a lower % a better deal or vise versa (auto posting, efficient TMS, support staff, GOOD ACCOUNT TEAM are all a must) <br>
I am sure there are more that I missed and I know some of those are pretty, either way hope it helped and good luck out there.

Hello... I have a question about posting on different load boards. What is DAT ftp?
I visited a website called posteverywhere.com, they have ability to post automatically on every load board. I want to be able to post on all load boards but do not want to pay 99 dollars a month to them only to post for me. Your help will be appreciated. I was told by 123loadboard.com associate that they scrap from our website, which i did not understand.

Will appreciate your help.

Thanks. Jawed.

Posteverywhere and Postonce are two good sites to use

hello, i am fairly new to this business and i was wondering if anyone could offer any insight as to which posting board offers the best value for the money. The lanes that i am being asked to quote are not very good and i want ot be able to get the info out to as many ppl as possible and stay within my budget. thanks in advance to all who respond

ANTMAN_GA in Dahlonega, Georgia said: hello, i am fairly new to this business and i was wondering if anyone could offer any insight as to which posting board offers the best value for the money. The lanes that i am being asked to quote are not very good and i want ot be able to get the info out to as many ppl as possible and stay within my budget. thanks in advance to all who respond

Look into posteverywhere com or postonce com

DAT 360 is great. It is much more thorough and worth the money. You get what you pay for.
Good Luck.

You have to understand input verses return in anything. In this case (loadboards) you want to look at input (cost) verse return (extra loads covered). By FAR the new DAT threesixty board is the best bang for the buck out there (especially if you software is integrated with it) they have the most trucks posted and the most trucks viewing loads, it will cover an extra 25% of your available freight easily. InternetTruckStop is a close 2nd and for the 35$ a month to good of a deal to pass up. After that getloaded is good but the PEP provided by posteverywhere will auto post your loads there and over 50 other load boards. Any business in the world they would love the ability to increase their production 25% or more by adding an overhead of a “$99” a month. Lets say it was $200 a month but it cover 10 EXTRA loads (very small amount) then you still have a net gain.

Jeff in Keller, Texas said: Melissa,

Good morning. Go to google and type in freight broker schools.
You will find several to choose from. I am a believer in
training as a foundation then find someone to mentor you.

I know you can get a one day seminar up to one company that offers a full two weeks of training.

I also know that the on-line course offered through most universities in America is unreal. It has been honored by several sources as the fastest growing e-course in the continuing education department of over 600 Colleges and Universities.

I know that you will find several brokers that will train you and give you a agent position as well. (maybe for free). I honor these people because that is how I got my start.

You need to research all you can. I find the more research
I do the better decisions I make.

Ask for references - If the school or broker or mentor is
doing it right then they will have plenty of references.
If you plan on investing in education, you will shorten
your learning curve. No question. Remember you never graduate from learning.

You will need at least six months of living expenses
saved before starting as an agent. This is a great industry and
every broker I know is looking for a good agent who understands that you have to work if you want your agency to work.

Have a great freight day....

Moving forward,

Jeff,
Clearly I am responding to advice you gave Melissa, over a year ago, but I have just begun to research opportunities as a freight agent, (my ultimate goal is to run an export management company).

In your response to Melissa you referenced "several brokers that will train and give you an agent position, possibly for free".

I'm in Baltimore Maryland, and would like to be able to contact any local brokers that are willing give me a start up opportunity.

Thank you for your time.

Melissa W. in Hattiesburg, Mississippi said: Where can I go to get training materials to be a broker agent.

Melissa, were you able to find any information on being a Broker Agent? Please let know.

Thanks

I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about Brooke Transportation Training Solutions.

I am up and running, but need a seasoned mentor. Anyone experienced, like to take me on ??

I took the Brooke class 3 years ago, became a broker and still going strong. I had never heard of freight brokers before I took the class, so I was completely green. The class gave me the knowledge and tools to become a broker. I highly recommend it.

We have hired over 20 of thier students and all but have have stayed with us and stayed in the company as an Agent.

Thye do a great job at setting the basics

And who do you work for , that hires new agents ??

Highly recommend the Brooke Training School. A class act Transportation school. Instructors are Top Notch. Have hired many students as agents for Gold Leaf Enterprises Inc through the class and they are doing very well for themselves. Keep up the wonderful job.

Hi,

I would like to know if anyone has any information about Everest Freight & Logistics. Are they a reputable company to work for?

Thank you

Theo

Are they the same company that has an office in Canada and the USA. Who are you dealing with there. I just caught them double brokering (3) loads on some heavy haul moves I had them do from Phoenix to Calgary.

Yes, they have offices in Montreal & Vermont. I am supposed to go for a training there next week. Should I stay away from this company?

Thank you

Theo

I will say this, They recently double brokered a (3) loads that I had them on. Not a good practice especially since the load values were $500,000 plus CAT 931's. I caught them due to the fact I know how to spot it especially in Heavy Haul. What are you going there for training for? To become an agent? If that is the case you should check us out as we are by far the best trainers in the country. I will put the agents we trained up against any other trainer. One of our students out of our most recent class just moved 8 loads her first week out one including an excavator of which she made $1500 off of.

Ok, and you are sure that this is the same company that I am speaking about, right? I am new in this business so I am assuming that double brokering a load is trying to make money of that load twice? Is this correct?
They are supposed to train me in becoming a Freight Agent working from home. They told me that they will be offering 35% commission on profits and I have to sign a contract that states that I cannot take the new shippers & carriers that I bring to the company with me if I decide to leave or get fired. Is this commission rate reasonable? and is this contract clause legal and standard practice?

I will check you guys out.

First... DO NOT sign a non compete or any agreement that prevents you from doing business with shippers that YOU brought in, should you decide to work elsewhere. Here is why...At the beginnning the 35% commission might sound good to you, but as you build your book of business you'll realize that other companies would be glad at that point to pay you between 60% and 70%. However, since you signed that agreement you'll be locked in to the original company. Do the math, it you're moving $1,000,000 in freight and holding a 15% margin... you generate $150,000 in profit. If you're getting paid 35% of that your income is $52,500. However if you're getting the normal (elsewhere) 65% your income would be $97,500. See what I mean. And believe me it really doesn't take long to get the the 1 million mark if you're successful at all. I would say that it is reasonable to work for the lesser % while you're learning but don't sign your future away.

hello Theo, first be wary of someone that says something bad about a company then follows it with come to us... not saying his advice is wrong as I agree with some of it, but when other motives are there it taints the info. Double brokering a load is when you give the load to xyz co. expecting them load it on their truck but they give it to a different co. to move (also with out your knowledge). 35% stinks as a percentage but it is very hard to find a co that will bring you on and train you so to start it is ok, it is also hard to find a co that doesnt have a non-compete when they do the training. if you decide to work with a co that has a non-compete (may have to, to get started) have them add things that help you ex. when I hit 500k rev it goes to 50% when I hit the 1 mil mark it goes to 60%... also a out for you if they don’t holdup the support end of the agreement. there are always outs of a non compete anyway (some are a pain in the butt but they exist a non disclosure is much harder to get out of) it might be worth paying to get the credit report on this company and after reviewing it talk to some of the companies on it and see what they think. (Documentation is everything, your pay, your future, others advise, claims, liability, due diligence...) good luck.

It is the same company. 35% commission what a horrible split.

I agree - always take the high road.

Attitude is everything!

Nobody wants this forum to be negative.

Have a great freight day!

Jeff

Hi Paul,

Thank you very much for your input. I will keep that in mind.

Theo

Hi Jacob,

Thank you for explaining to me what a double load is. In the beginning since I am learing and training will be provided, I don't mind too much the 35% commission because I can't ask for too much because I have no experience. But, maybe 35% for a limited time with an increase after that time passes or like you mention in your reply, the commission rate goes up when I attain a certain sales level. Good idea...I like this one.
Thank you for the credit report suggestion, I may do that. But, so far I have asked the company if I sign the non compete contract, what is the duration of this and conditions. Meaning, If I get fired ( I really don't see why I would leave a company if they have a good reputation, trained me and I am happy there ) or leave the company, is this clause for 90 days, 6 months, etc...The company has yet to respond to me which makes me very suspicious. They always respond quickly, but this time they are taking their time.

I know I have no experience, so getting hired will be next too impossible. A company that is willing to train is the best for me for sure. All I can offer right now is that I am setup to begin, ( computer, fax, phone lines, etc....), besides English, I speak almost 4 languages ( French, Italian and some Spanish ), have been in sales all my life, am a great negotiator, great communicator, great attention to detail, loyal and have been researching this industry for the past month and have to say just on my own with no help, I have learned quite a bit about this industry. The languages I think are a bonus because here in Canada there are 5 Million French speaking people. Italian helps in Canada too because I know of a lot of italians that own businesses and Spanish would help in Mexico.

Thanks again for the help. This is a great forum and I have to take my hat off to you and everyone here that is offering this free helpful advice & info.

You guys are all great!

Theo

Theo, do not take 35% any brokerage will give even an inexperienced agent a 50% split. Look at what you bring to the table with the multi-lingual assets and sales experience. Freight Brokering is not a hard job, you must be diligent in every way, it is just like any other sales position.

Ok, I understand. But still, nobody is willing to hire an agent with no experience. That is the problem, so I have to start somewhere.

In my previous business, I was used to making 75-100 calls a day! I am very comfortable at making cold calls.I am fast too. But all this is not enough and I understand...I need experience so I guess I have to compromise regarding percentages etc...

Thank you

Theo

Theo,
Do not sign any sort of non-compete. Even if it is only for 90 days after termination. The problem is if you stop servicing a customer for 90 days, you no longer have that customer. If you stop servicing a customer for 2 weeks you will have a hard time getting back in, mainly because the company you work for will immediately start dealing direct with your shipper after you leave.

Hi Paul,

I understand. So then , how do I get a job? Doesn't every broker have a non compete clause especially for new agents?

Thanks

Theo

"Theo, do not take 35% any brokerage will give even an inexperienced agent a 50% split. Look at what you bring to the table with the multi-lingual assets and sales experience. Freight Brokering is not a hard job, you must be diligent in every way, it is just like any other sales position."

I agree that 35% is low, our agents make much more but we only bring on agents with a 500k plus book and as far as I have seen most companies have a similar base line or higher. So Theo, you do have to start somewhere if you can find a better split AND MORE IMPORTANTLY good support and reputation do it. “Unknown training system” instead of telling him to walk away from his only option at this point give him some of these companies that pay more that may work with him. Open doors for good people not close them.

Good idea. If I knew for sure that this company had a good reputation, then it would be worth it.

Thank you Jacob

Theo

i never heard of them my self. can you find any of their agents? i know at least once a week i get a call form an agent saying "xyz just called me asking how everything is here as they are looking for a spot". So if they have their agents posting loads somewhere call them from thier load postings ;)

Jacob, very good idea!

The only person that I know there is the guy who is supposed to train me next week and he is the Freight manager. But, like I said earlier, since I asked him the question about the non compete clause, he has been avoiding my e-mails and calls. So, this is not a good sign.

Theo

You will have to sign a non compete agreement with any good brokerage.

We are always looking for EXPERIENCED agents. However, we have taken on some newbies that have all failed, due to the fact that they were not willing to work hard enough to find a solid customer base.

For agents with no experience trying to get into the business, it can be hard to have to find freight and carriers. We offer all of our agents 65% commission rates if they find the freight and move it. However, we also have a few people as outside sales reps. They cold call and make office visits trying to find new freight. Once they find the freight, they turn the customer over to use and we try to find carriers for the freight. We offer our outside agents 50% commission rate. They have the option at any time of switching to an agent and finding their own carriers and then getting the 65% commission rate. We do not require a non compete. If you decide to leave us, you can take your customer base with you.

If anyone is interested, please contact me at John@freightdist.com. Please feel free to ask any questions or provide me with contact information. Thank you.

As a rookie you are at the mercy of the company that takes a chance on you. However if you have a book of business I can guarantee that you won't have to sign a non-compete. Everybody wants you at that point. We have 33 independent offfices and none is under a non-compete, but they did all come on board with a book of business and truck following doing a minimum of 2M annual gross freight.

Transportation Training Systems in Kewanee, Illinois said: You will have to sign a non compete agreement with any good brokerage.

I am getting different responses for this issue. Some are saying yes and others are saying no.

I know I am in a catch 22 situation. I have no experience, no clients, no training, so no one will hire me.But, if I want to work in this business, I have to sign a non compete.

John Hodur in Naperville, Illinois said: We are always looking for EXPERIENCED agents. However, we have taken on some newbies that have all failed, due to the fact that they were not willing to work hard enough to find a solid customer base.

For agents with no experience trying to get into the business, it can be hard to have to find freight and carriers. We offer all of our agents 65% commission rates if they find the freight and move it. However, we also have a few people as outside sales reps. They cold call and make office visits trying to find new freight. Once they find the freight, they turn the customer over to use and we try to find carriers for the freight. We offer our outside agents 50% commission rate. They have the option at any time of switching to an agent and finding their own carriers and then getting the 65% commission rate. We do not require a non compete. If you decide to leave us, you can take your customer base with you.

If anyone is interested, please contact me at John@freightdist.com. Please feel free to ask any questions or provide me with contact information. Thank you.

Hi John,

Thank you, I will look into this.

Theo

Paul in Sarasota, Florida said: As a rookie you are at the mercy of the company that takes a chance on you. However if you have a book of business I can guarantee that you won't have to sign a non-compete. Everybody wants you at that point. We have 33 independent offfices and none is under a non-compete, but they did all come on board with a book of business and truck following doing a minimum of 2M annual gross freight.

Thanks Paul...I appreciate the info.

Theo

I have received the contract and it states that I have to sign for 2 years. The rest of it is confusing. They keep the clients unless I find them at fault or they did not honour their part of the contract...fat chance that will happen. Also, they pay every 15 days. They also pay carriers every 30 days unless it is a special condition. Sometimes they pay a portion in advance.

How about the contract saying something like this Broker acknowledges the primacy of the uniqueness of Agent’s shipper relationship and will respect Agent’s need to maintain the relationship. Broker will not solicit Agent’s shippers in any way with the exception of collection of delinquent freight bills.

if you can get lawyer to look at it, to explain the confusing part.

Theo Stevens said: I have received the contract and it states that I have to sign for 2 years. The rest of it is confusing. They keep the clients unless I find them at fault or they did not honour their part of the contract...fat chance that will happen. Also, they pay every 15 days. They also pay carriers every 30 days unless it is a special condition. Sometimes they pay a portion in advance.

Hi Sydney,

Yes, my lawyer looked over the contract and it is not a good one.

Thank you

Theo

I'm an agent with no experience, trying to get in the business, I have been doing research on the trucking industry for the past 6months now and ready to start working with some brokerage or trucking company I am a great negotiator, great attention to detail and truly believe that I will create a solid customer base (shippers and carriers) please provide me with any contact information yo have for me or any information that will help me with my freight agent career thanks in advance

Tangela Harris in Valdosta, Georgia said: I'm an agent with no experience, trying to get in the business, I have been doing research on the trucking industry for the past 6months now and ready to start working with some brokerage or trucking company I am a great negotiator, great attention to detail and truly believe that I will create a solid customer base (shippers and carriers) please provide me with any contact information yo have for me or any information that will help me with my freight agent career thanks in advance

Tangela,

Check out my profile for my contact info. and give me a call or send me an e mail