Starting out as an agent

[BradB]

I have been in the trucking industry for 15 years and now I am considering becoming an agent. I don't have any sales experience but I am a good/quick learner. I have worked for 3PL, Courier and OTR companys in Southern Ontario so I have a good knowledge of how things work.

My questions are:

1. Has anyone had any experience with Landstar/Rob Napier? He offers training and sales support

2. Can you PM me with some other companies who do not require you to generate 500k - 1M in revenue the first year?

I am going to be working from home. Is all the sales work from home or do you make office visits? Any details you can give me are appreciated.

I asked some questions on an American board and got Crapped on for wanting to be a broker. I don't need that please!

Thanks

Brad

 

[AKA]

offer me a load when you started ! lol

 

[MikeJr]

Hi BradB,

I suggest you speak to a transportation employment agency. I say this because most employers (I think) are looking for full time, on the road and partially in the office sales staff.

Your description leads me to believe you'd like to do inside sales from home... Certainly there is a niche for that and some employers may be looking for just that! Especially from someone with your experience and perhaps contacts/customer base. I've a feeling a placement agency would be able to help you find the employer you are looking for.

Note: I have a feeling you'll of course be looking at commission only for this type of agreement. The good news, make the company tons and you will make that too!!

The best of luck,

Mike

 

[Freight Broker]

You should have no trouble finding a postion as a commission sales rep/agent. I would suggest that you find a good SMALL brokerage to work for. The reason: most of the big brokerages have already contacted the big clients and most of the better ones. Thus, even if you're really good, you will have trouble finding accounts that aren't already spoken for.

When I specify a good brokerage, I mean good from a carriers' perspective. You'll be spinning your wheels if you get freight that your broker can't move becuase he can't get the trucks to move it. Check the broker's credit..make sure it is in tiptop condition.

 

[alx]

Landstar

I looked into becoming an agent several years ago.
I decided againts it because once you read through the contract there really was little margin left.

Landstar has been doing this for a long time and their contract is sewn pretty tight.

The great thing is that if you do luck into a good client, then finding the trucks will be easy ( as long as the rate you quoted is competitive) because of Landstar's quick pay scheme.
There really is nothing better.
Your carrier would simply fax over an invoice and fill in his own T-Check 48 hours later.
All this for I beleive 1.5% or 2%. very enticing to carriers.

 

[BradB]

You should have no trouble finding a postion as a commission sales rep/agent. I would suggest that you find a good SMALL brokerage to work for.

Can you PM me with some names or recommendations? I don't have a lot of sales experience and need a company that is willing to help me learn the ropes of selling. I know it sounds a little crazy but I do know the industry and how to move freight, I just have to learn how to sell that knowledge to someone.