Freight brokers act as the intermediary between shippers and carriers. They have the network, the experience and the resources to fulfill orders and get shipments where they need to be. Yet, they are always fighting the stigma that they’re an unnecessary and expensive part of the equation.
Well the truth is, taking freight brokers out of the equation isn’t going to make it cheaper for shippers. Yes, freight brokers earn money for connecting shippers to carriers. And yes, shippers are the ones forking up the money to pay for their services, but the reality is, an experienced and trustworthy freight broker can move your load more efficiently and effectively than if you had arranged the transportation yourself. This isn’t because you aren’t capable, it’s because the connections, technology and support freight agents have at their disposal can significantly lower your overall shipping costs.
Here are three ways freight brokers can help shippers lower their shipping costs:
Strong relationships with trustworthy and reliable carriers.
Connecting shippers to carriers and fulfilling orders is a freight broker’s full-time job. Over the years they have built strong, dependable relationships with carriers all over the world. In an industry as deeply complex and heavily regulated as the transportation industry is, this is so important. Turn on the news this week and I’m sure you’ll hear about shipments gone missing and cargo lost forever. It’s a reality all too true in the world of logistics and transportation, which is why you need someone with a good, trustworthy network of carriers that will get your shipment where it needs to be, when it needs to be there without having to worry about it getting lost or stolen along the way.
Relieves the headache of back-office overhead.
Leave the logistics of coordinating to a freight agent – you have enough on your plate. While you may think it might be cheaper to work directly with carriers, the time spent evaluating quotes, costs and transit times, selecting a reliable carrier, arranging pickup, monitoring transit and delivery, and ensuring accurate and timely payments to carriers, not to mention troubleshooting any issues, isn’t worth the cost. Freight agents have this process down like a well-oiled machine and will be able to help you cut costs and expedite service.
State-of-the-art logistics technology you can depend on.
Whether you need less-than-truck load, truckload or expedited shipping, smart freight agents have the right technology in place to meet your needs. The best freight brokerage firms allows them to negotiate the best possible rates with the most reliable carriers and automate processes related to shipping and payment, ensuring you a speedy and safe delivery. Real time dashboards give freight agents complete visibility into every aspect of the journey, including current weather patterns, fuel stops, and traffic to ensure trucks are quickly filled and orders are delivered on time.