How can you negotiate better transportation rates with LTL carriers?

1 Know your freight characteristics

The first step to negotiate better transportation rates with LTL carriers is to know your freight characteristics, such as weight, dimensions, density, and freight class. These factors affect how much space your shipment takes up in the truck and how much it costs to transport. By knowing your freight characteristics, you can avoid inaccurate estimates, additional charges, and reclassification fees. You can also use your freight characteristics to compare different LTL carriers and their pricing models, and choose the one that offers the best value for your shipment.

2 Leverage your volume and frequency

The second step to negotiate better transportation rates with LTL carriers is to leverage your volume and frequency. LTL carriers prefer customers who ship large and frequent volumes, as they can fill up their trucks more efficiently and reduce their operating costs. By consolidating your shipments, increasing your order size, and scheduling your pickups and deliveries in advance, you can increase your volume and frequency and gain more bargaining power with LTL carriers. You can also ask for volume discounts, contract rates, or spot quotes based on your shipping patterns and needs.

3 Build long-term relationships

The third step to negotiate better transportation rates with LTL carriers is to build long-term relationships. LTL carriers value loyal and reliable customers who pay on time, communicate clearly, and follow their rules and regulations. By building long-term relationships with LTL carriers, you can establish trust, credibility, and mutual understanding. You can also benefit from preferential treatment, customized services, and flexible terms. To build long-term relationships with LTL carriers, you need to maintain regular contact, provide feedback, and show appreciation.

4 Optimize your packaging and loading

The fourth step to negotiate better transportation rates with LTL carriers is to optimize your packaging and loading. LTL carriers charge based on the space and weight of your shipment, so you want to minimize both as much as possible. By optimizing your packaging and loading, you can reduce your dimensional weight, avoid damage claims, and improve your loading efficiency. You can also save on accessorial charges, such as liftgate fees, inside delivery fees, or residential delivery fees. To optimize your packaging and loading, you need to use sturdy and appropriate boxes, palletize your shipments, and label them correctly.

5 Explore alternative options

The fifth step to negotiate better transportation rates with LTL carriers is to explore alternative options. LTL shipping is not the only mode of transportation available for your shipments. You can also consider other options, such as full truckload (FTL), intermodal, or parcel shipping, depending on your shipment size, destination, and urgency. By exploring alternative options, you can compare the pros and cons of each mode and choose the one that meets your requirements and budget. You can also use alternative options as leverage to negotiate better transportation rates with LTL carriers.

6 Negotiate with multiple carriers

The sixth step to negotiate better transportation rates with LTL carriers is to negotiate with multiple carriers. LTL carriers have different strengths, weaknesses, and specialties, so you want to shop around and find the best fit for your shipment. By negotiating with multiple carriers, you can increase your options, create competition, and drive down the prices. You can also use the quotes from different carriers as benchmarks to negotiate better transportation rates with your preferred carrier. To negotiate with multiple carriers, you need to request and compare quotes, ask for discounts and incentives, and be willing to walk away.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?