Freight Broker vs. Dispatcher

What is the Difference?

When it comes to finding freight in the trucking industry, motor carriers have several options such as load boards, freight brokers, and dispatchers. These services dominate the industry offering their services to truck drivers. If you do not have time to search through the load boards yourself then you are probably thinking of using a freight brokerage to sometimes call a broker or a dispatcher. Both work as intermediaries between shippers and the trucking company, but which one is best for your business?

What is a Freight Broker?

Freight brokering is when a broker agent serves as a middle man between shipping companies and carriers. Many freight brokers pick up their profit by negotiating rates with shippers and negotiating a different rate with owner-operators. Brokers work hard to keep truckers in business because it keeps them in business as well. The main difference between the two rates is the freight broker’s commission. As a result, freight brokers are motivated to encourage shippers to pay high rates while offering carriers a rate that helps them make a profit. If you do not have good negotiation skills, knowledge of pay rates in certain lanes, and know your operating cost when dealing with a freight broker, it is easy to accept loads that can sink your business. It is important to be very selective when choosing a broker (some are more motivated by profit than others). If the freight broker also offers quick pay, they take another percentage from the carrier’s agreed-upon rate.

Example

X Shipper has an open load and reaches out to Y Broker to find them a carrier. X Shipper and Y Broker agree on a rate of $2,000. Y Broker then reaches out to ABC Trucking about the open load. Y Broker is not required to disclose the originally negotiated amount to ABC Trucking. As a result, ABC Trucking agrees to haul the load for $1,600. Y Broker keeps the $400 difference as commission.

ABC Trucking also uses Y Broker’s Quick Pay option, which takes 2% out of the $1,600. The end result is ABC Trucking receives $1,568 for a load originally negotiated for $2,000. Y Broker makes $432.

What is a Truck Dispatcher?

Dispatchers or a truck dispatch service represent the carrier when negotiating freight. They take a percentage off the carrier’s negotiated rate, so a dispatch service is motivated to find carriers higher paying freight. The higher the rate they can find for the carrier, the more money they make. Good dispatchers will keep portfolios with their carrier’s lane preferences, desired freight rates, and equipment specifications. Using this information, the dispatcher then contacts the shippers or freight broker on the carrier’s behalf to negotiate loads that meet the carrier’s requirements. Only after a load is agreed upon does the dispatcher charge the carrier a fee for the service. Also note, if the carrier uses factoring, many dispatchers will create and submit invoices to the factor on the carrier’s behalf. However, all dispatchers are not created equal, as some will charge additional fees or make you book a monthly minimum. As always, be sure to ask those questions before hiring a dispatcher or signing a.
freight contract.

Example

Let’s continue with the example above. X Shipper agreed on a rate of $2,000 with Y Broker. However, this time instead of using Y Broker directly, ABC Trucking is using Z Dispatcher to find freight. Z Dispatcher knows ABC Trucking needs to make at least $1,600 on the load to stay in business, and also has knowledge of what each load should pay. Z Dispatcher contacts Y Broker about the open load. Y Broker offers the load at $1,600, but Z Dispatcher declines the offer. The two negotiate until Y Broker agrees to a $1,800 rate. Z Dispatcher contacts ABC Trucking about the load and ABC Trucking agrees to haul it. Z Dispatcher charges ABC Trucking a 5% fee. When everything is done, ABC Trucking pockets $1,710, Z freight Dispatcher makes $90, and Y Broker receives $200.

Which One Should You Use?

There are positives and negatives to both options.

Freight Brokers – Convenient and Easy to Use, But Motivated to Offer Lower Rates.

Freight brokers tend to have close relationships with shippers, so they are convenient to use. However, they make more money by offering carriers lower rates. Their goal is to find the fine balance between offering carriers lower rates while also enticing carriers to continue taking loads directly from them. Some brokers are better to work with than others. LearnLearn how to find a freight broker.

Dispatchers – Motivated to Find You the Best Paying Freight, But Usually Works Through Intermediaries As Well.

Dispatchers work closely with carriers to find them the best freight rates. However, most dispatchers work with freight brokers or load boards to find freight; if you find one that works directly with a shipper, that’s great! Remember, dispatchers do not make money unless you do, so a dispatcher’s goal is to negotiate the highest paying freight possible.

Developing good relationships with shippers is the ideal scenario, but is likely not a viable option until your company is large enough. You will almost always have to deal with load boards, freight brokers, or dispatchers in some capacity. Arm yourself with rate knowledge, work on your negotiation skills, know your costs, and be selective. If you need help, TAFS is here for you. Give us a call at 913.393.6100