Are freight agent broker job opportunities growing or declining?

Are jobs in this industry on the rise? Are there any sub-sectors that are growing?

Where are the jobs? Which places have the most freight agent broker opportunities?

freight agent jobs are seriously declining;there is such a move right now in selling "freight broker training" for thousands of dollars that basically tell you what forms you need to submit to what federal agency and certain laws needed to comply with and then tell you find a market or niche that suits you,and thanks for the two thousand dollars..and so then people run out and try to move freight for $1.00 per mile and it has really destroyed trucking prices...this market is in a recession right now...but freight broker training is a booming market....

The people who take the "freight broker training" are not the reason for the recent downturn in the market. Any good shipper will not turn his/her merchandise to some rookie in the business with no "name" or ratings. The current downturn is mostly due to so much excess capacity in the marketplace right now. It always runs in cycles.

Im looking for a good company to start out with as a freight agent,however i didnt see any e-mail address.New to this site and really want to find some solid contacts in this business.

Hello,

I own some trucks and would like to get some broker training.

what do you teach how to sale,what the going rate is,where to look, because i will teach you how to be a successful at teaching so you will be the one people want to learn from.

all you have to do is learn how to move & bid freight it is not that difficult don't pay someone to teach you this find a broker who is willing to to set you up as an agent. if you are a salesman and have a trac record you should'nt have a problem with this although the market is pretty Saturated. so don't let anyone tell you its not. this is not a good oppertunity because of the Saturation. people will let you pay them to teach you just to get money from you.

Host said: Are jobs in this industry on the rise? Are there any sub-sectors that are growing?
Where are the jobs? Which places have the most freight agent broker opportunities?

Don't let the so called teacher of freight brokering try and sell you the know how because they are teaching because they can't make any money at brokering. Right now the market is so Saturated it is very competitive. Some companies have been around for along time and shippers trust these companies which is why they continue to be successful. New companies pop up daily and go down daily. Because of the Saturation. I wouldn't recomend starting a new company but maybe finding a company thats been around awhile that is willing to help you get started as an agent.

The truth is that being a freight broker is very profitable if done correctly. One cannot expect to start today and have a paycheck next week. One needs to be prepared financially for the first 6 months of their new career. There are a number of reasons to obtain training. The first and most important is so that you are sure that you know what you are doing before you move a load that could cost someone thousands of dollars if done wrong. Saturation is an excuse of those that fail or are failing in this business. Those that are successful aren’t complaining, as a matter of fact we are thankful that the market is saturated because it allows us to provide a better and more professional service for our clients...both shippers and carriers. Most that teach, train, consult or whatever you want to call it are normally those that have had tremendous success and are willing to share that knowledge, yes for a price, with those wishing to enter the industry. Why shouldn’t they?

Just check out the TIA web site and you will find postings for freight broker agents. 25-30 last time I looked.

Or look at Monster or the other job and career web sites.
This is a great time to get into the business.

I am interested in broker agent home business. Can someone please help me. I don't have any training, had a stroke last year and need to work at home. Can't afford classes need someone to train me. Please help.

So your a Broker?

I am an agent and trainer and a company President of one of those schools. Brokers recruit our graduates, or people open Brokerages.

I believe we can only do so much in a week or two so the more
the broker continues to train the agent, the more likely each will proser. I teach my brokers to treat your agents like customers. These graduates are willing to make 50 calls a day,
wait 6 Months before making any real money and work straight commission. Every students is told the cold hard facts.
The ones that do come in for training get about a 3 year learning curve but only they can put that knowledge to use.

Good Look in your Brokerage and your training program.

Thanks for responding - Sounds like your doing great!

JR

Host said: Are jobs in this industry on the rise? Are there any sub-sectors that are growing?

Where are the jobs? Which places have the most freight agent broker opportunities?

According to Transport Topics today 4-11-2007:

3PL Revenue Tops $110 Billion

U.S. third-party logistics gross revenues topped $110 billion for the first time last year, according to a report on the 3PL industry released this week.
3PL gross revenues were $113.6 billion in 2006, a 9.5% increase, according to the report released by Armstrong & Associates.

Just so everyone knows a 3pl is a brokerage on steroids.
All large trucking companies have brokerages and agents.

They call them 3pl's because the shipper will outsource all the distribution and even allow the broker or agent to have an office
in the plant.

Third party logistics and 3pl and brokers are all the same.
They serve the needs of the shipper and carrier. If the salesman wears a tie, they call them 3pl's.

If they are corn bread and ice tea simple business men and women they are property brokers or brokers....

Business is great for the non=asset companies. It is the fastest growing segment in the transportation industry.
Transportation makes up 5%m of our total GNP.

Think about that!

JR

Getting started in brokering is tough, unless you can get with a company that already has established customers you can work with. Getting loads from shippers is not difficult at all. New customers will give you crappy loads that no one else wants, or they will give you the loads at rates that the trucking companies you try to work with will laugh at, especially once you take your commission off the top. If you have an Uncle or Cousin that works for a big company that has lots of truck load freight and you know they will help you out, go for it. Otherwise, be prepared to make no money for a very long time. If you can stick it out, you might make a living. I think it is like real estate, some people make big money, the rest are just picking up the crumbs.

A bid package is, as the name implies, a gathering of information that lets a shipper know a freight broker’s price for moving a load and other considerations. A large shipper will give you their bid package of forms to complete. You will be asked questions such as "what is your quoted RPM (rate per mile) to each state?" They’ll ask you all the information they need to be able to research you in comparison to other transportation companies that submit bid packages.

Large corporations such as GM, PepsiCo, Nabisco, 3M employ an internal traffic manager with a team responsible for getting their freight moved, on time and within budget. This traffic manager will be the one to supply you with the bid package.

There's no "standard" bid package. They vary, depending on what information the shipper desires in your bid.

Even though rates will be asked for, don't assume that rates will be the deciding factor. Relationships based on rates alone dissolve when the rate goes up. Pay attention to rates but pay more attention to superior customer service. Go above and beyond their expectations and you’ll make a customer for life.

JR -daily blog Brooke

Go above and beyond in customer service sounds great. You can blow their doors off with customer service, but in the end, all it takes is one upset truck driver who decides, at the last minute, that he is not going to take that load that you booked. Or, worse yet, he decides he is going to be late with it, or just drop it all together. Now you have an upset customer and no amount of "customer service" is going to make up for the fact that their load is late or still sitting at the dock. You have no control in the brokering business. In the end, once that truck is loaded, everything is in the hands of the driver. I've had hot loads that were dropped in my lap at the last minute by the carrier because of "mechanical problems". Most probably, they found another load that worked out better for them. Don't get me wrong, I love being a broker. I love the wheeling and dealing and challenges that go along with it. But it is not for the faint of heart. You will take (and give) a lot of a$$ chewing in this cut-throat business.

D in Omaha is right you will take and give a lot of a$$ chewing’s. But that’s why brokers are her, they are not here to take part of a truckers money, they are supposed to be the person that handles all the problems (we all know that all is a understatement) that come up and save the shipper the time money and personal resources THAT WHY BROKERS can make a great living. Is it difficult yes, challenging yes but what in life worth anything isn't? We have 17 broker agents right now 13 of which are doing great a 4 that are very new or not doing well. We give the tools you need to be competitive and gain the edge over the competition. As it has been said many times in this forum customer service is key to long term success and you can only do so much, but having the right tools allows you to do a little more. if you are experienced in brokering, operations, dispatch, freight sales, ... and want to run and own a broker we give you the tools and support you supply the effort and desire to live in the top 2% of America at 100k+ income a year.

PS- U.S. third-party logistics (3PL) gross revenues topped $110 billion for the first time last year, 3PL gross revenues were $113.6 billion in 2006, a 9.5% increase, according to the report released by Armstrong & Associates. Right Place (LDI) Right TIME (NOW).

so there is the answer to the question this forum started with it is growing!

9 out of 10 shippers will keep you on as a broker/agent if you
communicate the problem loads to them as soon as you know.

You will lose customers if you try to cover up the bad news.

Get the bad news out as fast as possible and take your medicine.

Most shippers understand with man and machine, stuff happens.

What they want is communication and someone they can trust.

Most of the brokers and carriers I know are not cut throat.

JR

My wife has been the logistics coordinator,(long name for a load mover),for a small company that buys,and,sells outdated,overrun,closeout inventories,etc.,for 10+ years.I have been driving for 7 years,and,Recently shattered my heel.No More truck driving for me,but we are looking into broker agents,and,I am the dummy here,Not my wife.She is constantly telling drivers,(or their dispatchers),No she is Not a Broker,She is a shipper.We are tring to find a company that will put up with My learning curve,She Is Good.She moves some of the most G** awful loads,blind.Vendors always trying to cut out that middle man.The loads are There,so,be persistant,and,God bless.

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Looking at the business. Worked for large trucking company on the claims side and dealt a lot with shipper and consignees on cargo claims. Have access to trucks and trailers and considering freight business and transportation business.

Where can I go to get training materials to be a broker agent.

Melissa W. in Hattiesburg, Mississippi said: I am looking to find learning manuals for freight broker agents that won't cost an arm and a leg. I am new a this position and would like to have some books for reference.

If you can help I would apprecate the help.

Thanks

Melissa

Melissa My company doesnt work with people who dont have experience but we found a e-book that we fell is very good and all thou we dont make people agents that buy it we feel it is the best bang for your buck at $97 it contains all the info you need to understand the biz now you should still get exp as a dispatcher or sales rep or operations person before starting out but the book is great email me and i will send you the link it will get deleted in here

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Freight Brokering is and always wil be recession proof. Our company for the most part does not hire these weekend wonders who have paid a few thousand dollars to learn how to post a load. We only hire agents that have established books of business and carrier bases.

I prefer rather to train agressive sales people on how to broker freight effectively. Anyone can post and book loads,but can they make money for there carrier and their brokerage?

I have found the 99% of the training courses out there are absolute junk. I cannot believe people pay for this stuff.

I myself will not move cheap freight, I stress to my shippers that the proof is in the pudding, especially with trucking companies. You have to pay for performers, at the same time I can make a very generous commission placing loads to these trucks.

I regularly train our agents to make high $$$ grosses on loads, less loads means less liability. Our agents place 1/3 as many loads as others but the grosses on the profit are 3X as high. The trucks we deal with are also compensated better.

I actually have explored the training scenario and am publishing an ebook and making a course available in an effort to secure agents trained by us for our company. Unlike these other individuals that simply "Train" people how to broker freight, I actually broker freight daily and make $3000 a week doing it.

A word of caution for thise seeking freight brokering training. Look at your instructor and quiz him, there is an old saying "Those who can, do! Those who can't, teach!"

I will keep this forum updated for when our training is available, unlike most we will only take a select few applicants. Anyone has $2000 to kick out for training, but I want the people who will actually use what I teach them to make themselves and our company more money. Initial training only takes a few days, it is the continuous training in an active day to day successful brokerage that will make a candidate successful.

Scott Williams in New Holland, Illinois said: You need to become an agent with a successful brokerage. . Investigate thoroughly.

I am happy to tell you that she joined a VERY successful broker (goldbook, thousands of carriers under contact, software made and continuously developed by us, quick pay options fuel advances... all the bells and whistles) You are right anyone thinking of becoming a broker do your home work watch for FEES, contracts that involve them taking ownership of your customers, non-competes that TRAP you with them, lack of technology, bad credit history with both carriers and agents... find a place you can stay with because every time you change brokerages you will lose between 10-40% of you customers so pick a place you can retire with. i also agree with you theory in your previous comment about cheap freight, we dont gouge customers like some places do or try but we do turn away BAD freight. if you are making 100$ on a load but it takes you 7 man hours to work cover and move it thats bad freight. you want customers that pay to have good service and protect their product not the guy that will leave you over 20$ and b***h at for bad service when he is not willing to pay for good service.

Do anyone know of any freight broker agent seminars that anyone offer to learn new things in the business.

Melissa W.

Melissa,

Good morning. Go to google and type in freight broker schools.
You will find several to choose from. I am a believer in
training as a foundation then find someone to mentor you.

I know you can get a one day seminar up to one company that offers a full two weeks of training.

I also know that the on-line course offered through most universities in America is unreal. It has been honored by several sources as the fastest growing e-course in the continuing education department of over 600 Colleges and Universities.

I know that you will find several brokers that will train you and give you a agent position as well. (maybe for free). I honor these people because that is how I got my start.

You need to research all you can. I find the more research
I do the better decisions I make.

Ask for references - If the school or broker or mentor is
doing it right then they will have plenty of references.
If you plan on investing in education, you will shorten
your learning curve. No question. Remember you never graduate from learning.

You will need at least six months of living expenses
saved before starting as an agent. This is a great industry and
every broker I know is looking for a good agent who understands that you have to work if you want your agency to work.

Have a great freight day....

Moving forward,

I would like more information about your offer on training for broker agent. How much do you charge for the training? Please email me back asap.

Thank you

Melissa W.

To oakville ont.

If you would like to interview our graduates
after graduation then check out our free Friday resource day.
Afetr completing our elearning course or class room course we have all the leading vendors and about 8-10 brokers who recruit. We are always looking for quality people who really want to hel our graduates.

Our graduates either on-line or via our school need mentors
after graduation. Our raining expedites the learning curve.

We don't take any placement money from vendors or brokers and we do not sell anything except education.

Feel free to contact me if you want a steady flow of agents to
recruit. I screen all applicants, broker and vendors on behalf
of our clients.

I assure you these are the most tenacious poeple in the world. All of our agents understand it is a commission deal.

All understand it takes 6 months to get going and that if you have the right knowledge and a person like to you to keep teaching them - they will be in a good shape.

I am sure you can find my info and web site. Good Job on your business.

I admire and respect all of those of you who are actually in the game not watching from the sidelines.

We train about 20 a Month in class and 75 on-line. Some
of our students want to start a brokerage, some are drivers and OO who want to become better educated and some are folks that would not be able to work if they could not work at home.

Moving forward

Jeff

Jeff in Keller, Texas said: Melissa,

Good morning. Go to google and type in freight broker schools.
You will find several to choose from. I am a believer in
training as a foundation then find someone to mentor you.

I know you can get a one day seminar up to one company that offers a full two weeks of training.

I also know that the on-line course offered through most universities in America is unreal. It has been honored by several sources as the fastest growing e-course in the continuing education department of over 600 Colleges and Universities.

I know that you will find several brokers that will train you and give you a agent position as well. (maybe for free). I honor these people because that is how I got my start.

You need to research all you can. I find the more research
I do the better decisions I make.

Ask for references - If the school or broker or mentor is
doing it right then they will have plenty of references.
If you plan on investing in education, you will shorten
your learning curve. No question. Remember you never graduate from learning.

You will need at least six months of living expenses
saved before starting as an agent. This is a great industry and
every broker I know is looking for a good agent who understands that you have to work if you want your agency to work.

Have a great freight day....

Moving forward,

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Jeff in Keller, Texas said: Just check out the TIA web site and you will find postings for freight broker agents. 25-30 last time I looked.

Or look at Monster or the other job and career web sites.
This is a great time to get into the business.

Jeff I am interested in the business I am currently working as shipping clerk on third shift I would prefer to do this on my own as a business and I have been reading and I am trying to get started can you help.

jeff in Keller, Texas said: 9 out of 10 shippers will keep you on as a broker/agent if you
communicate the problem loads to them as soon as you know.

You will lose customers if you try to cover up the bad news.

Get the bad news out as fast as possible and take your medicine.

Most shippers understand with man and machine, stuff happens.

What they want is communication and someone they can trust.

Most of the brokers and carriers I know are not cut throat.

JR

I live in Keller as well Jeff and I am a shipping clerk on third shift but I would prefer to work for myself from home. Please let me know how I can get started but not waste a lot
of time.

Jacob w/Logistic Dynamics in Buffalo, New York said: If you are experienced in Transportation and want a company that speaclizies in freight broker agents then contact me at jreid at logisticdynamics dot com or visit our website at logisticdynamics.com We dont charge for training or the software but you do need to have transportation exp and customer contacts. i look forward to answering any questions and going over our broker program.

We have A auto transport company, now I am getting into transport brokering need to know the software that is for this line of work.

Donna in Macomb, Michigan said: We have A auto transport company, now I am getting into transport brokering need to know the software that is for this line of work.

Hi Donna, we use a system that was built by us the owner of the company comes from the software industry and his partners own a software consulting firm. Before he ever thought of opening a brokerage advance 2000 designed 5 or 6 software programs for brokerages each one tailor made. When Dennis saw the lack of technology he decided to launch his own system and brokerage. It has gone very well and in three years we went from 0 to a multi multi million dollar brokerage mostly due to the advantages we have in technology. So my advice is check out dr dispatch it is popular and from what I hear very affordable or contact advance 2000 and have them set you up with a system for your needs.

jacob_w-logisticdynamics in Buffalo, New York said: Hi Donna, we use a system that was built by us the owner of the company comes from the software industry and his partners own a software consulting firm. Before he ever thought of opening a brokerage advance 2000 designed 5 or 6 software programs for brokerages each one tailor made. When Dennis saw the lack of technology he decided to launch his own system and brokerage. It has gone very well and in three years we went from 0 to a multi multi million dollar brokerage mostly due to the advantages we have in technology. So my advice is check out dr dispatch it is popular and from what I hear very affordable or contact advance 2000 and have them set you up with a system for your needs.

DR.Dispatch is JUNK. It is overpriced for the applications provided and also is very unsecure. You are wasting your money with this software. There are many applications available for brokers dependant upon your needs. You can also have custom software designed for around the $500 price tag with many more features than what are offered in similar price ranges. Most brokerage software programs offer per seat licenses and the price tags start as $2000 per user. I suggest the custom development. I had ours developed on www.rentacoder.com for next to nothing.

Scott Williams in New Holland, Illinois said: DR.Dispatch is JUNK. It is overpriced for the applications provided and also is very unsecure. .

Like I said we have a in-house development team and IT team so I dont use any other system but LDIfreight I heard from a few people that they used dr dispatch and is was easy outside of that I SUGGEST get one built to your needs (i.e. advance 2000 or that rentacoder or even better yet see if your local college has a program that students can do it for free to get credits for a class) anyhow Donna hope your brokerage side becomes successful for you a bit different then hotshot but stay at it and you will get to where you want.

Jacob w/Logistic Dynamics in Buffalo, New York said: Melissa My company doesnt work with people who dont have experience but we found a e-book that we fell is very good and all thou we dont make people agents that buy it we feel it is the best bang for your buck at $97 it contains all the info you need to understand the biz now you should still get exp as a dispatcher or sales rep or operations person before starting out but the book is great email me and i will send you the link it will get deleted in here

IS IT POSIBLE FOR ME TO GET THAT LINK TOO, THANKS

ARNOLD in Houston, Texas said: IS IT POSIBLE FOR ME TO GET THAT LINK TOO, THANKS

here is the link www.freightbrokerbiz.com the web page is called freightbrokerbiz it gives you a little over view on the book then gives the option to buy it. Once again I want everyone who reads this to know two things this book is not written by me or Logistic dynamics or any person involved with us, buying it does not get you a position in our company or as a freight broker agent. The owner and I along with a few others feel that is e-book gives a lot of information and a great base on freight brokering and for a hundred dollars contains the same info as many brokering schools.

Jeff in Keller, Texas said: So your a Broker?

I am an agent and trainer and a company President of one of those schools. Brokers recruit our graduates, or people open Brokerages.

I believe we can only do so much in a week or two so the more
the broker continues to train the agent, the more likely each will proser. I teach my brokers to treat your agents like customers. These graduates are willing to make 50 calls a day,
wait 6 Months before making any real money and work straight commission. Every students is told the cold hard facts.
The ones that do come in for training get about a 3 year learning curve but only they can put that knowledge to use.

Good Look in your Brokerage and your training program.

Thanks for responding - Sounds like your doing great!

JR

Jeff I live in North Ft. Worth and am looking to become an agent. Could you contanct me.
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ssharp in Denton, Texas said: Jeff I live in North Ft. Worth and am looking to become an agent. Could you contanct me. ssharp7254 at yahoo dot com

and ask for Scott. I can give you many options. Like above it is true the (5) day wonders from these agent training programs usually are wroking another job in a month. We however guide you along after training and place you with an established brokerage . We provide you with a strong base of carriers and shippers. You will basically have to learn how to negotiate the freight and the rate. Ongoing consultation and education is provided by our trainers to help you succeed.
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I'd like to talk with Jeff in Keller

Thank you.

This is a very interesting, on going conversation. It has brought to light alot of truths in the brokerage business. I need to find a broker that would be willing to work with a newbee, but a go getter. What are your suggestions?

Jeff in Keller, Texas said: Just check out the TIA web site and you will find postings for freight broker agents. 25-30 last time I looked.

Or look at Monster or the other job and career web sites.
This is a great time to get into the business.

Contact me directly through my name.

Jacob w/Logistic Dynamics in Buffalo, New York said: Melissa My company doesnt work with people who dont have experience but we found a e-book that we fell is very good and all thou we dont make people agents that buy it we feel it is the best bang for your buck at $97 it contains all the info you need to understand the biz now you should still get exp as a dispatcher or sales rep or operations person before starting out but the book is great email me and i will send you the link it will get deleted in here

hello i have a samll businees of truck but u know is very sow at this time ...i would like to learn more about the broker carrer please ais there any way that i can start and read more about laws, forms etc.....and start to work professional way ....please i'll appreciate your help.
thank you
julio cesar'

If you need help with meeting the FMCSA bond requirements contact our company we cand help. We are licensed to file the BMC-85 Trust Agreements. We have programs available for any type of credit. Contact
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