Too often, companies are waiting around for calls on dry van rates from carriers and brokers. When they need to be out there and doing the research themselves, be proactive, and find the best rates that they can. Dry van loads are usually pretty simple to move. Because of this, there are going to be a lot of options to go through. However, there are always ways to trim out the ones that won’t work for you and your shipping.
The reason for wanting better dry van rates should be pretty easy… it’s to save money! The challenge is finding a rate that is still going to be at a level of quality that you find acceptable. Making sure you are getting the best deal you can require a couple of methods to implement.
Breakdown on How to Get the Best Dry Van Rates
1 – Know your Product
The first thing you need to do is know your product, specifically in regards to its shipping. The actual freight that makes up a dry van load has a large impact on what you need to look for in a carrier. For example, if you’re shipping a fragile item, say glass vases, you are going to want to partner with a company that has a history of quality. Whereas, if you are shipping scrap metal, you can go with just about anyone.
The properties of your freight can play a big role in the rate that you pay so it is important to know what steps need to be taken in its shipping, how many pallets can go on one truck, if there are any regulations that will come into play, and more.
2 – Know the Industry
This is another thing that you need to do before talking to any potential shipping partner. There are many factors and influences on this shipping industry that affect all sorts of things. And that includes dry van rates.
Luckily, this is not too difficult to do and you are not going to have to become an export in the field, just keep an eye on some industry news sources. This could be something like Transport Topics or SupplyChain247. Additionally, know some of the factors that impact pricing. These factors can be things like industry seasonality, natural disasters, or delivery location.
3 – Research your Potential Partners
Hopefully, this step goes without saying but it is vital to research any transportation provider you are partnering with. Make sure that they are actually able to offer the rates that they say they can. And not just at the price but at a level of service and quality that will work for you.
You can also take this a step further and have them do some random spot quotes for you before making any larger decisions. In fact, if this is something you are able to do then you absolutely should. While dry vans loads are typically easier to ship there’s still a lot that can go wrong. You need to ensure any potential partner has what it takes.
4 – Have KPIs
It is hard to know if you are getting the best dry can rates if you are not measuring anything. In fact, it’s hard to know ANYTHING about your shipping if there are no KPIs in place. Having key performance indicators (KPI’s) is vital to ensuring that you are getting good rates.
It is ultimately up to you to decide what these numbers need to be and to then communicate them to your transportation provider. If your dry van rates are not meeting your expectations then it might be time to move onto method number 5.
5 – Don’t be Afraid to Try Someone Else
Breaking a relationship can be awkward and difficult, even in business. However, if your shipping partner is not working and your dry van rates are skyrocketing then you need to be able to move onto someone else.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you are able to take these 5 methods and put them into action. Doing so will provide you with better dry van rates. With knowledge of your product, the industry, potential partners, and maintaining KPIs you can guarantee that your dry van loads will be shipped at a price that works for you.
If you are currently looking for a dry van shipping partner then Becker Logistics may be the right fit. We have been in the industry for over 24 years and have built relations with over 70,000 carriers. This means that we are able to find a solution to any problem that you may have. Additionally, with our processes in place, we are able to make shipping easy. You can view our contact information by clicking here. Get started today by requesting a quote, you won’t regret you did!
