Two Freight Industry Fallacies Debunked
Two fallacies seem to have emerged as the freight market has evolved. Understanding what is really going on will put you in the best position to always know where your freight is, ensure more on-time shipments, and reduce your freight total cost of ownership (TCO).
Fallacy #1: Large, Asset-Based Carriers Only Use Their Trucks
Asset-based carriers with a fixed number of trucks, trailer and drivers may turn to independent owner-operators when they need support. In this way, asset-based carriers may operate similar to a freight broker.
Large carriers add to their trucking fleets by buying other carriers and purchasing new trucks but doing so may not coincide with increased demand, especially for specialty trucks—including reefer, flatbed and high-value—as well as less popular trucking lanes.
If you prefer or exclusively use asset-based carriers, do you know if your carrier uses owner-operators or other carriers for some of your shipments? If this practice is acceptable to you, a freight broker may offer more options at more competitive market rates.
Fallacy #2: Brokers Don’t Use the Same Trucks & Drivers
For regular shipments on the same lanes, brokers often use the same truck and driver, just as you should experience with an asset-based carrier. The key is regular shipments: many carriers (both large and small) are often happy to accept the shipment because it represents reoccurring volume – i.e. one less day(s) to worry about filling up.
Experience Complete Transparency & Lower TCO
If you want to avoid the scenario of assuming you’ve got an asset-based carrier’s trailers locked in for your shipments when they may actually be transported by an independent owner-operator and you’re open to working with a true freight broker, contact us. We’ll provide a freight quote along with ideas and options to drive down your freight TCO, including flexing up and down to accommodate fluctuating freight volumes.