Using brokers for dedicated runs

been wanting to ask the same thing

 

I think you have to have 10 trucks for a CHR corporate dedicated account. Now, a local office might have something they run on a regular basis and you could haul all you could. I have one branch office that has a lot of freight out of a large shipper, I haul quite a few loads out of there, no dedicated dates or rates though.

 

the only CHR. dedicated I know paid 5% less out of conyers,GA. AC. plant, flatbed than the normal loads paid going to same places I went.

 

I did a somewhat dedicated run for CHR for a few months about a year ago. This was daily and keep in mind capacity was tight. $800 on a 251 mile round trip and $1,200 on a 398 mile round trip less than 10k lbs per load 53' dry van auto parts true expedited freight, my specialty. Did several dozen. Made piles of money on these runs but eventually was asked to drop my rate to keep them. Was the go-to truck on them. What I couldn't cover went on a buddy's truck at the same rates. I refused to drop my rate. They wanted to be in the $2.50 range. Where does that end? It doesn't because they aren't your friends. It is out there. How do you find it? Don't know. Sometimes I think I am just lucky. Just remember, all good things come to an end. Don't worry about that just don't fall in love (cut your rate) and get it while you can. Move on to the next score. And remember only suckers utilize brokers "for backhauls" to the so-called "good stuff". I kept my truck available, when apparently no-one else was, and took care of the freight better than your average truck. The agents in this office still know me by name when we touch base.
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A large brokerage like CHR has a different business model than a small brokerage. They know that in most cases they can get a load covered by setting the hounds loose on the phones. So they are less concerned about keeping a single truck rolling on one account that a smaller brokerage would be.

If you are looking for dedicated account lanes then being independent isn't likely the best bet for you. Unless you find a small shipper that is willing to work with independents. But that can take time and effort.