Shipping for the first time can be like stepping into a new and overwhelming world. Between unfamiliar terminology, pricing structures, tight delivery times, and carrier coordination, first-time shippers can easily miss critical details that impact cost, timing, and risk.
So, asking the right freight questions to your freight broker before booking your first shipment can help you avoid surprises, protect your freight, and establish a logistics process at step one.
Asking these seven questions of your freight broker before your first shipment can lay a strong foundation for your shipping future.
What Services Does a Freight Broker Actually Provide?
One of the most important questions to ask your freight broker is what services they actually provide. Each freight broker may offer different levels of service, and you want to ensure they provide exactly what you need for your shipments.
A freight broker is a person or company that organizes shipments between shippers and carriers, but does not own the freight or the trucks used for transportation. They act as an expert connector, coordinating transportation, scheduling, communication, and problem-solving throughout every step of the shipping process.
Freight brokers provide a range of shipping services, including freight shipping, LTL, full-truckload, and international options. They offer tailored solutions to meet specific logistical challenges, leveraging resources such as technology and support systems to ensure shipments move efficiently from pickup to delivery. Many freight brokers handle logistics planning, carrier vetting, documentation, and real-time updates.
You need to ensure your freight broker does everything you are expecting. Successful freight brokers must be entrepreneurial and able to manage their own book of business.
How Does a Freight Broker Choose Carriers for My Shipment?
If you have a shipment, you should ask your freight broker how they choose carriers for that shipment.
Carrier selection plays a critical role in shipment reliability. A freight broker should be able to match your shipment with the right carrier that brings not only the best value, but also the right equipment, experience level, and lane expertise. However, brokers have limited control over external factors such as truck breakdowns, delays, or dishonesty from involved parties, so they must be diligent in carrier selection to help mitigate these risks.
Experienced freight brokers, such as Nationwide Equipment Transportation, will have a list of vetted carrier networks, performance history, and freight-specific requirements to reduce risk and improve on-time delivery.
At NET, we have a list of over 1,000 vetted carriers to ensure your shipment gets the best option, every time. No matter who your freight broker is, they should be able to connect you with a proper carrier for your specific shipment needs.
How Will I Track My Freight Once It’s in Transit?
A crucial question to ask your freight broker before your first shipment is how you will track your freight once it is in transit. Your freight broker should have tracking as a high priority.
Visibility is one of the most important aspects of modern freight shipping. Your freight broker should be able to provide you with real-time updates and a way to communicate if schedules change or issues arise.
A strong freight broker will provide clear, accessible tracking and proactive updates so shippers are not left guessing where their freight is. At NET, we are able to provide this level of real-time tracking through our NET Quote app.
What Information Does My Freight Broker Need From Me to Prevent Delays?
Freight delays, while preventable, can still happen. So, as a shipper, it is wise to ask your freight broker what information they need from you to help prevent shipping delays.
Most of the time, freight delays occur because of incomplete or inaccurate shipment details. So, asking this type of question of your freight broker ensures expectations are aligned before pickup.
Your freight broker will likely need documentation, such as accurate dimensions, weight, pickup and delivery requirements, handling instructions, and contact information. They will use this information to determine the maximum weight allowed for your shipment, as well as other shipment requirements based on carrier policies and safety regulations.
Additionally, freight class is determined based on shipment characteristics such as density, stowability, handling, and liability.
When you provide complete documentation upfront, you allow your freight broker to plan properly, assign the correct equipment, and avoid preventable disruptions. So, asking what your freight broker needs from you can be essential.
How Do You, as a Freight Broker, Handle Problems or Unexpected Changes?
Before your first shipment, you should ask your potential freight broker how they handle problems or unexpected changes within a shipment.
At the end of the day, no shipment is immune to change. Factors such as weather, traffic, dock congestion, or scheduling conflicts can all affect transit. You want to ensure your freight broker has a plan for every possibility and that you are involved in the conversation at every step.
This is a prime opportunity to see whether your freight broker handles disruptions with a reactive or proactive mindset, and how that aligns with your strategy.
Experienced freight brokers should be able to anticipate potential issues, communicate easily, and work closely with carriers to adjust plans, all while protecting timelines and minimizing impact on your end.
Is My Freight Broker Insured and What Coverage is Available?
Your freight broker is responsible for being insured and having the proper coverage available for your shipment. So, it can be essential to question your potential freight broker if they are insured.
Insurance and liability are critical considerations, especially for first-time shippers who are moving high-value freight. Asking about coverage can help clarify which protections are in place for your shipment and what options are available if additional freight insurance is needed.
Understanding coverage before shipping ensures your freight and your business are protected if something unexpected were to happen.
How Does a Freight Broker Communicate Throughout the Shipping Process?
Communication is everything to a successful shipment. If your freight broker cares about you, your business, and your reputation, they will have substantial communication protocols in place for you and the carriers.
Clear communication can often be the difference between a smooth shipment and a stressful one. Before your first shipment, you should ask your freight broker how communication is set up and when updates are provided. If they say anything other than a structured plan, it might be a red flag.
Reliable freight brokers will prioritize transparency, timely updates, and easy access to support so that shippers always know the status of their freight and who they should contact if questions come up.
At NET, clear, proactive communication during a shipment is non-negotiable, and we ensure our shippers and carriers can reach us easily through our NET Quote app.
Strong freight relationships start with the right questions, so don’t be afraid to ask your freight broker before your first shipments.
When you better understand the process, expectations, and level of support you’ll receive from your freight broker, the better the outcome will be for every party involved.
If you have a shipment or wish to ask us any of these essential questions, contact the team at Nationwide Equipment Transportation.am at Nationwide Equipment Transportation.