Dispatch service
Rate negotiation
We negotiate with brokers using your rate floor, lane conditions, and the real cost of the trip, so the rates you accept make sense for your operation.
In short
We negotiate with brokers using your rate floor, lane conditions, and the real cost of the trip, so the rates you accept make sense for your operation.
What rate negotiation includes
- Negotiating linehaul rates with brokers for loads you are interested in
- Factoring deadhead miles, tolls, and time into the conversation
- Requesting accessorials such as detention, layover, or extra stops when they apply
- Reviewing the rate confirmation before you sign it
What you decide
- Your minimum rate per mile or per load
- Whether a counteroffer is acceptable
- Which accessorial terms you require
What affects a freight rate?
Spot rates move with supply and demand in each lane. They are also shaped by trip-specific factors: deadhead to pickup, the delivery market, appointment times, how long you might wait to load or unload, and any special handling.
- Total miles, including deadhead to the pickup
- Strength of the outbound market at delivery
- Pickup and delivery appointment windows
- Expected detention, extra stops, or tarping
- Fuel costs for the route
Your rate floor comes first
Before negotiating, we ask you to share the minimum rate that covers your costs and target margin. We do not push you below that number. If a broker will not meet it, we tell you, and you decide whether to take the load.
Rate confirmations, checked
The rate confirmation is the document that governs payment for a load. We check it against what was agreed, including rate, accessorials, pickup and delivery details, and payment terms, before it comes to you for signature.
Equipment this applies to
Rate negotiation works across equipment types, with different priorities for each:
- Dry Van dispatch: high competition, high volume.
- Flatbed dispatch: securement and tarps.
- Reefer dispatch: temperature instructions.
- Hotshot dispatch: weight ratings.
Questions about rate negotiation
Can you guarantee a certain rate per mile?
No one can honestly guarantee spot rates. We negotiate toward your target and are transparent about what the market is offering.
Who signs the rate confirmation?
The carrier does. We review it first, but the agreement is between you and the broker.
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Ready to talk through your operation?
Tell us about your truck, your lanes, and your goals. We will follow up to discuss how dispatch support could work for you.