Do we need an alternative to Central Dispatch? That is really the question. John Skelton from Carrierrates.com thinks he has a better model that will streamline the flow of loads to carriers and at the same time keep the rates stable.
Instead of the shipper choosing the rate the shipper posts his/her need and then his system sends emails to the carriers that serve that route and they post their rate and availability for that shipment.
At this point, he is comfortable with his carrier list, and continues to grow the list. He is working on the shippers list now. I think it is always in his best interest to sign up new carriers.
Another feature that sets his model apart from Central Dispatch is that he does not charge the carrier but instead relies on the shippers’ that posts for the revenue. Since carriers ultimately have to pad their rates to cover those overhead costs, it does make sense to put it on the shippers’ shoulders up front.
I would like to hear your opinions.
For the last year and a half I have been trying to figure out the auto transport business.
I have been running my husbands auto transport business since the loss his lease return work with the economic downfall.
Recently, I have been listening and learning to many different sides of the industry.
From the car manufacturer rep I’m hearing its my competitors that are bidding so low on the work
From a transporter in the area I’m hearing” I’m not working for xxxx logistics there just going to use us transporters until they can afford to buy there own fleet and put us out of business”.
Another transporter said a union company just bought out a broker.
And today I heard one of the larger transporter companies in the area just lost his work to a new network sight that no one could afford to run for.
All of this information is not confirmed just the word on the streets
So with all the changes going on, the reason I hooked up with John at http://www.carrierrates.com is because I think its a great concept for both shippers and carriers.
It lets the shippers know what the carrier needs to run for and helps the shippers with time, phone calls, turnaround times and of course the bottom line the dollar sign.
With that said, good luck to everyone out there because this is one effed up(I think I can say that because I have the mouth of a truck driver) business.
@ Wendy – I am pleased you find http://www.carrierrates.com a great tool to help both shippers’ and carriers’. Thank you for helping get the word out there…
My two cents folks…
I have been a shipper for a long time and used quite a few different tools to try running my operation smoother and with less headaches. I am a shipper and I DO NOT use Brokers. I have smarten-up a lot, especially during this in this recession.
Now, I really don’t like when somebody tries to eat my profit. I would rather pay 10% or more to my carrier directly, then giving it to a middle man. Because I know that the carrier will always go the extra mile.
I also often find that brokers mess up things for me and on top of everything else, they are not truthful… sometimes I think that this is the part that bothers me the most.
Anyways, I very much agree with the concept you are talking about. This concept has been working for me really well. I have been a member of Cargosuccess.com (as a shipper) for about a year and a half now and their application it does the magic for me and my carriers.
I can only say good thing about their service plus they have really knowledgeable and helpful staff – no question there.
I frequently post my available loads privately for carriers I often deal with with, and sometimes publicly. Many times I schedule all my listings ahead of time (start and end date and time) and the program notifies my carriers (via email), automatically.
Then, whoever has available trucks calls me or sends me their rate online, and I just select whatever rate and carrier I like to do my load. It is really quick and simple.
I see that the carriers like it better and I know for sure that I do too.
Anyways, I don’t want to sound like I am advertising anybody here – just want to say “YES” to you and all people reading these blogs. I strongly recommend these types of services to be used in the shipping industry much more, then they currently are.
Martin
I am just a small carrier under 55,000. I have worked off Centrial dispatch going in the second year now. I work mostly on cod. There are some brokers I will not work with since I would have to have a lawyer in the cab to sigh off on the paper work. I am not new to trucking and I perfer to remain small. I assure any one I can not haul a car ,etc for .25 cents a mile. My cost is much more than that. So if any one thinks that it is the little guy hauling for nothing it is not ME! So far I have 100% rating.–Billy
Hello…
We wholesale cars and we are dispatching our cars to our customers.
What is a good alternative to central dispatch please?
Please let me know at elie@buyurcars.com
Thank you