Ten Questions for Interviewing Freight Brokers; A Shipper's Perspective

More and more, companies are dissecting their expense reports in order to discover hidden profits within their logistics expense. One method being employed to trim the amounts spent along the supply chain is to build a relationship with a freight broker, commonly referred to as “3PL”, or “Third-Party Logistics” suppliers. By working with a freight broker, you are borrowing their expertise that often takes several decades to build in order to generate significant cost savings in your logistics budget.

A good broker is on the front line of trends, not only in their industry but in other main industries depending on their core competencies. Brokers are able to quickly ascertain which mode of transportation is best for your freight and can offer recommendations based on seasonality, capacity, and even the weather to guide you to attaining your logistic goals. Depending on their size, you can benefit from their buying power, commanding far better rates based on their volume. These are only a few advantages to working with a 3PL, so for those of you who are starting to nod their heads in agreement, I want to point out the top 10 questions to ask when you’re choosing a freight broker to suit your needs. These are critical to making sure that you will maximize your savings while minimizing your risk!

1. May I have a copy of your brokerage authority?

Always verify the broker is operating under legal authority given by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration), which licenses all transportation intermediaries. Don’t be fooled by motor carriers who are offering to broker your freight without proper authority to do so.

2. How many years have you been in business?

This is an indicator of the longevity of the business and shows a measure of the type of experience and expertise you can expect from them. For example, Trinity is celebrating its 33rd year in 2012 as a privately owned family business, offering decades of knowledge and service to customers and carriers.

3. What is your dispatch process like?

As with any industry, not all companies operate the same. At Trinity, our dispatchers are communicating at every step of the process. We perform quality checks to make sure they are loaded and delivered on time. We are managing the load and ensuring customer service!

4. How many employees do you have and how many offices?

You want to make sure they have enough resources to properly service your account. Even if your freight is regional, you should look for a broker with a nationwide presence. In doing so, you’ll ensure that as your company grows, you won’t have to wait for the broker to “catch up” when you begin to move loads outside of their region. Trinity has 8 offices nationwide and over 300 team members to give customers the advantage of our expansive network in all areas of the country.

5. What are your carrier pay terms?

They should share information on how quickly they pay the carriers and their financial strength, but you should always run your own credit check to ensure their claims. The last thing you want to have to do is explain why you had to pay a freight bill twice to your superiors. Trinity offers each contracted carrier quick payment, load advances for fuel, and direct deposit, allowing them to choose for themselves how quickly they’d like to be paid.

6. What steps do you take to ensure carrier compliance?

Make sure they are checking each carrier for proper authority, insurance, and CSA Scores. Also, make certain they have contracts with the providers. Good brokers that perform due diligence protect you against potential lawsuits. Trinity has an entire team of professionals to facilitate this process, it’s that important!

7. What associations do you belong to?

First and foremost, you want to make sure they are members of the ethical Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA).  Other associations, such as the Better Business Bureau, are icing on the cake! You want to work with a freight brokerage firm that’s committed to marketplace ethics as a reflection of your company’s image.  Trinity is a member of TIA along with many other reputable associations.  We’re also past recipients of the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics.

8. What types of services do you offer?

Say no to one trick ponies! You need a freight broker to call whether you’re moving a truckload, a pallet, a rail box, or an ocean container. When you can make that one call and forget about it, you’re able to get back to your business. Trinity offers a wide scope of services so our clients can make one toll-free call to get their freight delivered, no matter which mode is required.

9. May I have your shipper and carrier references?

Think back to your last job interview, when you were asked to provide references. You put your best ammunition out there, didn’t you? Freight brokers will too, of course, but when you call the reference, make sure to ask about their best and worst experiences with the broker.  If you can deal with the worst and are excited by the best, you’ve found a good match!

10. May I have a copy of your surety bond and insurance certificates?

You should have these in hand before working with any freight broker. A $10,000 surety bond is required by law for all brokers, providing protection for carriers in the event that a broker fails to pay freight charges. Most brokers carry contingent cargo as an added layer of protection for shippers, and some even carry liability insurance.  

Trinity recently increased our surety bond to $250,000 for additional customer security! We’re also believers in insurance policies, carrying a million in general liability, auto liability, ten million in excess liability, as well as $500,000 in worker’s compensation.

MAKE SURE TO ASK YOUR PROSPECTIVE 3PL THESE TEN QUESTIONS

Each of the ten questions considered individually won’t provide a healthy indicator of the strength of the freight broker, but when grouped together in the set of ten, you begin to gain a healthy image of the broker. Creating an alliance with a freight broker can help achieve lower costs, higher profit margins, and an ally in the fight for survival in the tough economic market we’re facing. When chosen carefully, a good freight broker can be your greatest competitive advantage, and I promise you, your customers will feel the difference.

Think Trinity may be the freight broker for you? Get a quote for your shipment!