John Thomas on Freight Brokering

Are You a Broker Agent?

Some people choose to work as a Broker Agent under the authority of a freight broker. And there is nothing wrong with this. Some agents are prospering more so than freight brokers, I would imagine.

But you need to be careful.

Most freight brokers will have a contract. I suppose many broker agents just sign the contract because they feel that's what they have to do. Well, maybe you DO have to sign it in order to work for the freight broker. But it is absolutely necessary to READ and UNDERSTAND everything that is in the contract.

For starters, the contract will be slanted in favor of the freight broker. That's okay as long as it is "fair". What's fair and what's not fair are in the eyes of the beholder.

But some contracts are just not fair. The freight broker will try to push some of the collection liability off onto the broker agent. Yet, most freight brokers should, and will, run a credit check on each customer before transacting business.

And it seems to me that the freight broker should assume responsibility for collections. If the broker agent is to assume liability for collections - which is "above and beyond the call of duty" - it seems they should be compensated "above and beyond the call of duty".

What would be next? Would a freight broker require the agent to pay the rent if the freight broker is short of funds? I think not.

Don't be afraid to contest whatever parts of the contract you don't agree with. And if you can't live with the contract for whatever reason, do NOT bother working with this freight broker. There are others that don't have requirements that are "outside the norm".

Freight Brokers Are Looking for Good Broker Agents!

I routinely get calls from freight brokers who are seeking good Broker Agents. Working as a broker agent is a great way to get started in this industry. The start-up and overhead costs are very low. There are no tests to take, no exams - you just need solid training and/or experience plus a ton of motivation.

By the way - our Broker Agent training includes the contact info for 3-4 freight brokers who are interested in you EVEN IF YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE OR FOLLOWING.

But they all require that each agent has solid training. And you will receive a certificate of completion to show as evidence of your effort.

Go to my website now. We have NEW training materials that are second to none! Here is the address:

http://www.atexbrokeragenttraining.com

Have a nice weekend!

Working As A Broker Agent

Recently I have had a rash of clients training to work as a broker agent. For some people, this is the best way to go.

For one thing, an agent does not have to obtain their broker authority. They work under the authority of another freight broker. In our broker agent training, we give you the contact info for about 4-5 freight brokers who are seeking agents. In fact, I have spoken to each and have required them to complete a questionnaire beforehand.

Another reason to work as a broker agent is to side step some of the "backroom" work like invoicing shippers and paying the trucks. These are left to the freight broker.

Whether you work as a fully licensed freight broker or a broker agent, you still need to understand the nature of the business and all the details of finding shippers, using the loading boards, calculating rates, pre-qualifying your carriers, monitoring your cargo and a host of other detailed duties.

To read more on what some of the differences are between a freight broker and broker agent, go to:
Working as a freight broker or broker agent?

Freight Broker or Broker Agent: Which Is Easier?

In a recent email, I mentioned that many people want to start as a broker agent rather than as a fully self employed freight broker. Most people understand that, either way, they have their work cut out for them.

But here is something to consider. Working as a broker agent means that you will be working under the authority of another freight broker. So instead of having to deal just with shippers and carriers as freight brokers do, you have to learn how to deal with the freight broker you are working under.

It can get complicated because you have to learn what they will expect from you and what you can expect from them. This takes some research and asking the right questions.

In our broker agent training, we provide the contact information for 3-4 freight brokers who are seeking agents. We also provide a list of questions that you will use to interview these potential "employers" with. These questions are not exhaustive and we encourage clients to come up with their own questions as well.

So, yes, as a freight broker you will be responsible for invoicing shippers and paying the trucks on time - no easy task at times. But you do not have to deal or negotiate with agents unless, of course, you choose to do so.

Broker Agent Training

As you might have found out, I have created a separate website for our Broker Agent training. There are similarities but there are definite differences between a freight broker and broke agent.

Here is a recent question I received: "If you work for a broker as an agent and decide to set up your own freight brokerage, can you keep your clients that you've developed or do you have to get something in writing from the time you start as an agent from your broker?"

Here is my answer: Most broker agents are allowed to keep their clients. It's only right. I've heard of at least one situation where you had to give them up. And I've heard of one situation where, yes, they are yours but you were "prevented" by contract to use them for six months - which is the same to say, you have to give them up.

In addition to our Broker Agent training, we provide the contact info for several freight brokers who are seeking graduates of my training. Several of these have called me. I speak to each freight broker and basically make sure they understand that most of my clients are new to the industry. They don't have a following.

This is okay with them. One told me how one of his fresh agents excelled far more than some with a lot of experience. They are looking for good, hard-working agents - fresh or experienced.

Another benefit we provide in our Broker Agent training is a list of questions for our clients to ask these freight brokers. You need to interview them just as if you are working as an employee for them. Ask them the hard questions, ask them the easy questions - whichever, you want to make sure you understand what they expect from you and what you can expect from them.

Go to: www.atexbrokeragenttraining.com for more information. Then call Georgie at 623-742-3908 if you have further questions.

Freight Broker & Broker Agent Training

I've made a few upgrades to our services for comprehensive Freight Broker and Broker Agent training. First, I've created a new website just for Broker Agent training. You may view it at: www.atexbrokeragenttraining.com
Then, I've provided for several FREE bonuses on the main website at www.atexfreightbrokertraining.com

Read on for a little information on the bonuses .....

Broker Agent: What Is Expected of You?

When you work as a broker agent, you normally work under the authority of another freight broker. You don't need your own authority. Here's some other tips .....

Freight Broker Surety Bond

One of the three legal requirements for becoming a freight broker is obtaining evidence of a $10,000 surety bond or trust fund. Here's something you won't find elsewhere.