A dispatcher might contact a shipper directly or reach out to a freight brokerage to find loads that fit their drivers’ needs.Īs with any other service that helps your business, it is important to know the differences and the fees a broker and a dispatcher charge. Since they get paid a percentage of the motor carrier’s pay, they also try to negotiate the best rates possible. At the same time, their rates must still be competitive, so the carrier can still make a profit.Ī freight dispatcher works for the carrier. Because of how they get paid, broker attempt to negotiate the best rate with a shipper.

The main difference between a freight broker and a dispatcher is who they work for.Ī freight broker works with both the shipper and the carrier, essentially connecting the two and collecting a small fee, usually some form of commission. What’s the difference between a freight broker and a dispatcher? Freight brokers vs. On the other side, carriers like working with freight brokers because they help optimize routes and often supply loads to prevent deadhead miles.

This saves shippers from finding carriers on their own, planning transportation and route logistics, communicating with drivers, and tracking their own freight. Shippers like working with them because brokers are a single point of contact to ensure their goods arrive safely and on time. While they never handle the cargo, they “call the plays” to transport freight from one location to another by assigning players, tracking what each does, and ensuring a successful outcome.Ī freight broker’s primary job is communication. You could think of them as the offensive coordinator on a football team. A freight broker is the connection between the carrier and the shipper.

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