New Company Looking for Broker/Dispatcher or Direct Work

S

Speedy

New Member
Mar 25, 2024
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Toronto
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Hello,

New to the forum and new to the business.

We had made contact with a company that sounded great (15088640 Canada Inc O/A Quik Haul Logistics) but after a google search ended up on this forum where we saw the bad reviews. We signed up on here as you guys have lots of experience and insight.

We are seeking your advice as we are in search of work. We have a newer model 26ft Straight truck and are looking for work in the GTA or within 250km to begin with. We have CVOR, insurance etc.in place and are ready to start.

Do you guys have any suggestions on where to start in terms of finding work?

Any help is appreciated.
 
TBH, you are best starting off building your own direct customer base instead of relying on brokers. The GTA is very competitive for local cartage, and most brokers already have stable relationships in place to cover local cartage. Only way your going to get in those doors would be on a price point, which isn't the way to start a new business, being the cheapest guy on the block....

just my 2 cents.
 
Thanks for your reply @EricG

Do you suggest cold calling customers to try to get on with them direct? Do you have any advice as to which sort of companies might have direct work?

Thanks Again!
 
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Hire a salesperson to find and work leads for you, or do it yourself. Start by calling companies who's freight you want to handle, maybe people close to where you park your truck? Also if you find your always doing deliveries to a particular town, then start looking for clients in that town that need shipments coming back to the GTA.

One piece of VERY important advise... if you ever receive a load from a broker or 3PL, do NOT EVER EVER call their on their BOL (shipper or receiver) to solicit work.... do that once and your reputation is trashed in this industry, and you might as well sell your truck. Back soliciting a brokers or carriers clients is a sure fire way to alienate every good paying broker from every wanting to use you.

If your not a strong self driven sales person, I highly suggest you hire someone. All your competitors including us have excellent talented sales staff that know how to close. Remember your competing against a lot of other players in this industry, you need something that sets you apart from the other sales guys/gals calling the same companies you are trying to solicit.
 
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Thanks for the quick reply and advice @EricG

We will take your advice and look into reaching out to some companies near where we park our truck. Yes, we won't be going around any brokers! Will look into a salesperson, but we may be too small at this point.

Thanks for taking the time to respond!
 
I think EricG nailed it..you need a “hook” something that sets you apart from your competitors...a bit of a niche so that you’re not going up against the whole world.
 
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As a starting point, work certain areas of town (i.e. go up and down streets). Definitely work specific industries that you feel would be a good fit for you/your truck, etc. You will spend a TON of time early on with your sales hat on. After that, the web is a bit easier to grow as you can then chase the shippers/receivers of your own customers (with your customer's permission if possible), referrals, etc. If you are good at what you do, dependable, polite, priced reasonably (not too cheap so you lose money and not too expensive so you come off as gouging) you will do fine. Your posts and how you word them tell me you are heading for good things. Send me a PM and we can see if there is a fit here for any of our local work. Yes, we are one of those dreaded brokers - but a very good/reputable one that can hopefully help you grow as well. Cheers!
 
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