Not only has the internet and mobile technology made finding loads quicker and easier than ever, those same resources also can provide more in-depth and current information on broker performance.
Most load services require a subscription, ranging from around $35 to $150 per month.
Load board leaders DAT and Truckstop.com track their customers’ experience, so they can provide detailed statistics on how those loads worked out, such as brokers’ average days to pay and more. The DAT Load Board and Truckstop Mobile apps are customized to make viewing broker and load information easy on mobile devices.
DAT’s TruckersEdge (www.truckersedge.net) load board has a free package, but it only allows drivers to post their trucks – they cannot view broker information or access other features. DAT’s TruckersEdge Enhanced ($49.95 per month) and DAT Pro ($99 per month) include access to broker credit information. Truckstop.com has packages at $35, $125 and $150, but only the top two tiers include access to broker information.
Certain services not affiliated with load boards, such as RTS Credit Service, also provide credit reports on brokers that include days to pay, broker authority, bond information and more.
Then there are more specialized sources. For example, Red Book Credit Services and Blue Book Services provide transportation-related credit rating information for the fresh produce industry.
The National Association of Small Trucking Companies’ Best Broker program is made up of what the association considers to be the top 5 percent of brokers, based on payment history and member recommendations. Carriers must be NASTC members to have access to the Best Broker list.
