Final Thoughts on the Right Approach to Dispatching Your Truck
Self-Dispatching: Ineffective and Less Profitable
- I would never dispatch my own truck, regardless of the trailer size (1 car or 6 cars). Self-dispatching typically results in earning 30% less.
Driving vs. Dispatching:
- I can earn more money driving my truck than trying to dispatch it myself.
Outsourcing Dispatch Services: A Cautionary Note
- I would avoid using outsourced dispatch services.
- Reliability issues are common with overseas dispatch services without backup in the US.
- Only US-based dispatch service companies with local backup are trustworthy.
Read more about Outsourcing Dispatch Services here: Is Outsourcing Truck Dispatching a Good Idea?
Choosing the Right Dispatcher:
- I would seek out a reliable, US-based dispatcher who can help me succeed in the car hauling business.
- High-quality dispatchers are rare and often fully booked. However, opportunities arise when a driver retires or faces significant truck issues.
Acceptable Dispatch Service Fees:
Average Fee:
- The standard dispatch service fee in the US is around 10%.
- Reducing this fee means dispatchers need more trucks to maintain their income, which can compromise service quality and your earnings. This is why experienced dispatchers rarely lower their fees.
Examples of Dispatch Service Quality:
- High-Quality Dispatch Service:
- A good dispatcher can increase a $500 load to $600.
- After a 10% fee: $600 – 10% = $540 to you.
- Low-Quality Dispatch Service:
- An outsourced dispatcher might book the same load at $500 without increasing the price.
- After a 5% fee: $500 – 5% = $475 to you.
Conclusion:
- The difference between a good and bad dispatcher is significant: $540 – $475 = $65.
- You can earn more paying a 10% fee to a good dispatcher than a 5% fee to a bad dispatcher.
And that’s not even considering the numerous other issues associated with low-quality dispatch services.