Top 10 factors to consider when selecting a high-quality freight broker

How to Select a High-Quality Freight Broker: Top 10 Factors to Consider 

It’s no secret that freight brokers can get a bad reputation. Nearly everyone you meet is more than happy to talk about that one terrible experience they had, but are not as loose-lipped when telling you about their good experiences.

There are many reputable freight brokers out there (FSL Group is proud to be one!) that works hard to have transparency with their customers and help them get what they need to keep things moving.

So, how do you find the right fit for you?

Here are the Top 10 factors to consider when finding a freight broker:

1. Understand your business

Let’s knock this factor out right away. When looking for any type of vendor or partner, it’s always going to be important to find one that actually understands your business, your needs, your use case. If you are in the food industry, ask them what experience they have specifically with refrigerated carriers. Do you need to ship fragile goods like glass or ceramics? Ask them about their experience with these items. While it’s great if a freight broker has experience in a variety of markets, you want to make sure they have experience with yours. We never shy away from these questions from our customers and prospects because we want our shippers to feel comfortable and understand our expertise and how we can help.

2. Response time

When working with a broker, you want to be able to reach them if you have comments or concerns. If you find it challenging to get ahold of them, it may be difficult to get the answers to any questions you may have.

3. Word of mouth

Having a good reputation can go a really long way for a freight brokerage. If you are speaking with industry colleagues, ask them about which brokers they work with and would recommend. Like we mentioned before, all too often people are willing to talk about their bad experiences, but if you can get quality feedback about a broker, check them out!

4. Licensed through the FMCSA

A misconception about freight brokers is that they can do whatever they want, whenever they want, and that’s just untrue. There is actually a lot of regulation that comes with being a reputable broker. When trying to choose a high-quality broker, word of mouth is a good start, but it’s not the only place you can look. Check with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) because it is a federal law stating that anyone arranging transportation for compensation must have a federal property broker license issued by the FMCSA. You can also check to see if they are properly insured here.

5. Certified/Recognized in industry

After word of mouth and licensing, a third step of checking credentials is checking if they are recognized or certified inside the industry. The more involved a broker is with the industry, the better.

For instance, FSL Group is a proud member of:

• The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals
• NASSTRAC
• Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA)
• National Industrial Transportation League (NITL)
• SMC3

6. Strict vetting process for carriers

Good brokers work with reputable carriers. Before you start working with a freight broker, ask them then about their vetting process.

For instance, you can ask:

• How they verify a carrier’s operating authority and safety rating?
• What other type of verifications do they run?
• How often do they check up on ratings?
• What is their process for disqualifying a carrier? Late deliveries? Damaged goods?

7. Insurance options and claims assistance

How hands-on is the broker when it comes to insurance and claims? No one ever wants to deal with lost or damaged freight. When you partner with a freight broker who not only provides you options for additional insurance, but also assistance if you ever do need to worry about a claim, you have some peace of mind. Some brokers really go above and beyond to help their clients in this area, which is especially important if you have fragile goods.

8. Tracking capabilities

Technology allows us to do so many great things…including being able to have real-time updates into the status of our shipments. Freight visibility is no longer a “nice to have” option, it’s a must have. Using a tracking system gives brokers the capabilities to know where your load is at all times. They can proactively handle any delay or issue as it comes up before it becomes a major problem. You can also then also check in when you need an update.

9. Longevity

We all know that freight shipping isn’t an easy job. Yet, it’s the freight broker’s job to make it as seamless as possible for its customers. If a broker is able to do this long term, it speaks volumes for its capabilities. Extra bonus: the longer a broker has been in business, the more established relationships it has with the best carriers.

10. Value

At the end of the day, any partner you have needs to provide value to you. Freight brokers help you find the best price for your needs and match you with the carrier that makes the most sense for you. It may be tempting to always choosing the cheapest, but choosing a quality broker who can save you more money in the long run can be worth it.

Conclusion

Brokers don’t deserve the bad rep they inherit. They work hard to find you the best rates.

At FSL Group, we pride ourselves on our transparency with our customers. We are fighting against the stigma of brokers can sometimes get because we pride ourselves in integrity, direct communication, and exceptional service.

If you are looking for a full-service provider that can deliver your shipments on-time and on-budget, with the right carrier, right equipment, and right place, we are ready and waiting. Request a quote today!