How to Book A Truckload
With A Carrier
So
you have some freight, found a carrier....Now what?
First
thing is to know you have the freight and confirm time it needs
to load or unload.
Qualifying
the carriers - When a dispatcher or truck calls in asking for
information on a particular load need to make sure you ask a
few questions
1) Where
is the Truck? Could be 200 miles away and take hours to get
to the pick up
2) Is the truck empty now? If truck is waiting to be unloaded
then this could be a long time. need to ask about when the appointment
is and how long he has been waiting.
3) What is your MC Number? You will need to verify information
and review safety records with this number.
4) What is your name and call back number? If you don't have
this written down it will get lost. Even if you have their number
on the caller ID, write it down.
Check
the FMCSA
Licensing Site - www.safersys.org/CompanySnapshot.aspx
From this site you are able to enter the MC number of the carrier.
You will need to verify the licensing and insurance on file
for the carrier. Make sure their authority is active and they
have insurance on file of at least 1,000,000 liability and 100,000
in cargo. You will also see that they are an active carrier.
Call
the insurance Company and request a certificte of Insurance.
it is also a good idea to call and speak the insurance comany
and find out if there are any cliams pending right now. We had
an instance where everything checks out but when we called the
insurance company they told us the company had 100's of pending
claims
Ok
so they look good so far.... Them MC numbers check out and they
are ready to pick up.
Next
step is send them Carrier packet. A carrier packet should contain
a copy of your contract, Copy of broker MC certificate, Your
bond info, a blank IRS w-9 form and information on your company.
It will also have instructions on what you will need them to
send back. This will be.
Once
you receive this information you will create a Rate confirmation.
The rate confirmation is a contract between you and the carrier
that you agree to pay the carrier for their services. It will
have the Origin and Destination Information, Product Info, Agreed
Rate and any other info that would be needed by the truckload
carrier to pick up or deliver. A
sample Rate Confirmation Is Here
For
an easy to use Dispatch
Management System go to www.trulos.com
and sign up. Super easy and affordable system to quickly manage
freight and create all the paperwork needed.
