Reference Checks - becoming increasingly more frequent.

[MikeJr]

Hey guys,

Do you get random calls from people (brokers and other carriers) advising you that you are a reference for a carrier and asking you how they performed, how long you worked with them, etc? What if I have never agreed to be that carriers reference? For carriers I like, I give them a glowing review, for ones I don't I usually say I've not agreed to be a reference and we have not done enough business with them to offer an opinion.

I'd say it happens weekly...

Keep well,
Mike

 

[Henry]

Its always nice to get a heads up in the first place, if you are being used as a reference.

 

[Nawk]

We do background checks on all our carriers.

Safersys... Carrier 411... D&B... Equifax... Inside Transport...

I will call their references too. I really don't want to be the guy posting here that is asking "has anyone seen a load of widgets that has gone missing".

Mike... recently, I called a broker that a carrier had used as a reference... and the carrier was doing their first load for that broker 'that' day. The load wasn't even picked up yet and the carrier used that broker as a reference. I did not allow the coordinator to use that carrier. They might be a great carrier but "it didn't add up for me".

Whenever I call a broker for a reference I always tell them... feel free to call me to ask about carriers that are new to them (even if we're not listed as a reference). I don't mind.

I think its a good thing that people are asking for references.

Perhaps there's hope for this industry yet...

 

[loaders]

100% agree Nawk. When thinking about using a carrier for the first time, you can never gather enough information.

 

[Freight Broker]

I don't.. there's enough info on line now that allows me to make a decision.. most of my carriers are repeat carriers who I've used in the past... and I can usually tell from the initial interaction if the carrier is solid or not.. I'm not going to base my decision on what a competitor thinks.

 

[MikeJr]

Nawk - Yes, we've developed a stringent checklist here, WSIB or similar in domeciled province, minimum insurance coverage, the sites you list and others, calling references, etc. The part that confuses me is exactly what you describe, a carrier that has done 1 load for us in the last 6 months advising their new customer that we are a service reference. How can I give absolute advice on 1 shipment?

Anyway, lets all stick together and prop up the good carriers! Happy Friday.
Mike

 

[loaders]

Freightbroker, if your carrier base is exclusively repeat suppliers, then yes, why call anyone for a reference. Occasionally, some of us have to step outside our box of usual suppliers and take a chance on an unknown entity. In those cases, as Nawk said, we do a complete check looking for any information regarding this carriers service levels, along with licensing, insurance, etc. If asking a competitor for their experiences is necessary to gain that info, so be it.

 

[canadian99]

Does not bode well for me, striking out on my own.

I've had up to 2 million worth of military and commercial aircraft parts on my van at a time, I was trusted to cross border with that. I don't suppose that means anything at all, leaving my carrier for a new business

Here I thought, proof of insurance, and that's it, good to go

 

[Salma]

Does not bode well for me, striking out on my own.

I've had up to 2 million worth of military and commercial aircraft parts on my van at a time, I was trusted to cross border with that. I don't suppose that means anything at all, leaving my carrier for a new business

Here I thought, proof of insurance, and that's it, good to go

All of us were "new" at one point in time. We are a carrier and we opened just over 11 years ago. We started out by setting up accounts with the larger brokers like CH Robinson, TQL, Schneider, Traffic Tech, etc. Do a bunch of loads for them but work with the same person every time so that they can become your first bunch of service references. Make sure to work with the same person on each load because if someone calls CH Robinson's main number, they will not provide any kind of reference for you. BUT the individuals you work with will most likely allow you to add their direct email or phone number to your reference contact list.
We also worked with other fellow carriers by doing power only moves or doing some local work for them. Don't worry, you will discover that you end up with a great list of references in no time at all!
Just do a good job for them and you're set!

 

[canadian99]

All of us were "new" at one point in time. We are a carrier and we opened just over 11 years ago. We started out by setting up accounts with the larger brokers like CH Robinson, TQL, Schneider, Traffic Tech, etc. Do a bunch of loads for them but work with the same person every time so that they can become your first bunch of service references. Make sure to work with the same person on each load because if someone calls CH Robinson's main number, they will not provide any kind of reference for you. BUT the individuals you work with will most likely allow you to add their direct email or phone number to your reference contact list.
We also worked with other fellow carriers by doing power only moves or doing some local work for them. Don't worry, you will discover that you end up with a great list of references in no time at all!
Just do a good job for them and you're set!

Thank you for the ideas!