OO turned Broker. Help!....

Nov 16, 2023 at 02:12 PM CST + 4
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Howdy Yall, So, long story short, I was an OTR company driver, then transitioned to an OO a few years back. Total of 6 years behind the wheel. As of July of this year, I had to turn in my keys as I had to take care of my ageing parents. With this, I decided to become a broker agent for a small brokerage (7 agents). I have sales experience from prior years, and I know the industry fairly well. Ive hauled reefers, vans, hoppers, belts, anything and everything but cattle. Well, with the way the market has been since July, even with the help of my fellow agents, I have yet to land a single customer. I had many contacts with shippers who ive worked with in the past, that simply don't have the freight, or were established with another broker, and it didnt make sense for them to switch, as the rates and margins are already tight as could be. So since July, I have been without a paycheck, thankfuly I have enough to support myself for a while. I have no clue if/when I would ever go back on the road. My reason for posting is advice. I have exhausted my known contacts in the industry, and my fellow agents have given me as much advice as possible. All of them have already had their BOB for years though. I refuse to work for a 3 letter brokerage, as I want to make sure the truckers I work with get treated fairly. I've dealt with everything you could think of, double brokering, refusing to pay, straight up no knowledge of the industry, anything. I want to be the opposite, the broker guys actually like to work with. With the market getting worse each day, I am now thinking about shifting my role to be a dispatcher, although I don't have any OO contacts. The guys I do know are already working with someone they have been dealing with and I know wouldnt switch over to me. I feel like I am out of options, and very frustrated to say the least. I would still be on the road if I had it my way, but family comes first. Can anyone give any advice on how I can proceed? Any thoughts or comments or welcome. Keep the shiny side up

Nov 16, 2023 at 02:12 PM CST

+ 4

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Howdy Yall,

So, long story short, I was an OTR company driver, then transitioned to an OO a few years back. Total of 6 years behind the wheel. As of July of this year, I had to turn in my keys as I had to take care of my ageing parents. With this, I decided to become a broker agent for a small brokerage (7 agents). I have sales experience from prior years, and I know the industry fairly well. Ive hauled reefers, vans, hoppers, belts, anything and everything but cattle. Well, with the way the market has been since July, even with the help of my fellow agents, I have yet to land a single customer. I had many contacts with shippers who ive worked with in the past, that simply don't have the freight, or were established with another broker, and it didnt make sense for them to switch, as the rates and margins are already tight as could be. So since July, I have been without a paycheck, thankfuly I have enough to support myself for a while. I have no clue if/when I would ever go back on the road. My reason for posting is advice. I have exhausted my known contacts in the industry, and my fellow agents have given me as much advice as possible. All of them have already had their BOB for years though. I refuse to work for a 3 letter brokerage, as I want to make sure the truckers I work with get treated fairly. I've dealt with everything you could think of, double brokering, refusing to pay, straight up no knowledge of the industry, anything. I want to be the opposite, the broker guys actually like to work with. With the market getting worse each day, I am now thinking about shifting my role to be a dispatcher, although I don't have any OO contacts. The guys I do know are already working with someone they have been dealing with and I know wouldnt switch over to me. I feel like I am out of options, and very frustrated to say the least. I would still be on the road if I had it my way, but family comes first. Can anyone give any advice on how I can proceed? Any thoughts or comments or welcome.

Keep the shiny side up

Replied on Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 07:08 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Give me a call- I'd be happy to help in any way I can. I'm a Former Driver and my Old Man was an Owner Op of 40 years. I'm 90% Service-Connected Disabled from 10 years of service in the Marines, or I'd be out there Driving as well. I've been navigating this Brokerage Business for some time now, and have been through the same battles you're struggling with right now, so hopefully I can tell you something you haven't already heard and provide you some value. God Bless Brother! Will @ D&L Transport (479) 252-1312

Replied on Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 07:08 AM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Give me a call- I'd be happy to help in any way I can. I'm a Former Driver and my Old Man was an Owner Op of 40 years. I'm 90% Service-Connected Disabled from 10 years of service in the Marines, or I'd be out there Driving as well. I've been navigating this Brokerage Business for some time now, and have been through the same battles you're struggling with right now, so hopefully I can tell you something you haven't already heard and provide you some value. God Bless Brother! Will @ D&L Transport (479) 252-1312

Replied on Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 07:08 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. First thing DON'T LISTEN TO THE NEGTIVES RESPONSES THAT MAY BE COMING! Second. Don't give up becuase you could be standing right at a door that is about to open. You know how far you can operate before you have to make a change. Third. Find a speciality and work it. Fourth. Don't give up anything worth having dosen't come easy. This industry needs more drivers behind the desk that has been there and done that. Strive to be a servant leader.

Replied on Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 07:08 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

First thing DON'T LISTEN TO THE NEGTIVES RESPONSES THAT MAY BE COMING!

Second. Don't give up becuase you could be standing right at a door that is about to open. You know how far you can operate before you have to make a change.

Third. Find a speciality and work it.

Fourth. Don't give up anything worth having dosen't come easy. This industry needs more drivers behind the desk that has been there and done that.

Strive to be a servant leader.

Replied on Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 08:23 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. how do i get intouch with you. i have a possible solution for your situation, or you can contact me at 877-637-3330

Replied on Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 08:23 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

how do i get intouch with you. i have a possible solution for your situation, or you can contact me at 877-637-3330

Replied on Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 08:24 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "Give me a call- I'd be happy to help in any way I can. I'm a Former Driver and my Old Man was an Owner Op of 40 years. I'm 90% Service-Connected Disabled from 10 years of service in the Marines, or I'd be out there Driving as well. I've been navigating this Brokerage Business for some time now, and have been through the same battles you're struggling with right now, so hopefully I can tell you something you haven't already heard and provide you some value. God Bless Brother! Will @ D&L Transport (479) 252-1312" Thank you so much. I will give you a call this afternoon, say around 1-2pmCST. I really appreciate your comment

Replied on Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 08:24 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "Give me a call- I'd be happy to help in any way I can. I'm a Former Driver and my Old Man was an Owner Op of 40 years. I'm 90% Service-Connected Disabled from 10 years of service in the Marines, or I'd be out there Driving as well. I've been navigating this Brokerage Business for some time now, and have been through the same battles you're struggling with right now, so hopefully I can tell you something you haven't already heard and provide you some value. God Bless Brother! Will @ D&L Transport (479) 252-1312"

Thank you so much. I will give you a call this afternoon, say around 1-2pmCST. I really appreciate your comment

Replied on Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 08:26 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "First thing DON'T LISTEN TO THE NEGTIVES RESPONSES THAT MAY BE COMING! Second. Don't give up becuase you could be standing right at a door that is about to open. You know how far you can operate before you have to make a change. Third. Find a speciality and work it. Fourth. Don't give up anything worth having dosen't come easy. This industry needs more drivers behind the desk that has been there and done that. Strive to be a servant leader." Thats exactly what i've been telling myself. Anything that's worth it sure as hell won't come easy. Thank you so much for you response and positive comments/

Replied on Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 08:26 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "First thing DON'T LISTEN TO THE NEGTIVES RESPONSES THAT MAY BE COMING! Second. Don't give up becuase you could be standing right at a door that is about to open. You know how far you can operate before you have to make a change. Third. Find a speciality and work it. Fourth. Don't give up anything worth having dosen't come easy. This industry needs more drivers behind the desk that has been there and done that. Strive to be a servant leader."

Thats exactly what i've been telling myself. Anything that's worth it sure as hell won't come easy. Thank you so much for you response and positive comments/

Replied on Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 11:18 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "how do i get intouch with you. i have a possible solution for your situation, or you can contact me at 877-637-3330" Give me a call at your earliest convenience, 860 372 6756

Replied on Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 11:18 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "how do i get intouch with you. i have a possible solution for your situation, or you can contact me at 877-637-3330"

Give me a call at your earliest convenience, 860 372 6756