Guide to the Questions You Should Ask a Freight Broker

If you are looking for a freight broker in Australia, you want to make sure you are getting someone you can rely on. It can be very difficult to know what questions to ask of them, but it is definitely worth it. A good freight broker won’t mind you asking questions, they understand why. If you need to know what you should ask before deciding on a broker, then you’re in luck.

The Questions You Should Ask a Freight Broker in Australia

How long have you been in business? It is good to know how long they’ve been operating. Often, the first few years are the hardest so if they are past this, then you know they are going to remain stable and reliable. Plus, they have more experience. 

How do you handle dispatches? If the broker you are talking to only faxes the details to a carrier and doesn’t make any more effort to keep updated on the process, then they have basically handed you off to someone else and aren’t really doing their job. 

How many employees does your business have, and how many offices? The more people involved the more resources a broker has to call upon. You want to make sure the broker is going to have enough people and available resources to get your goods shipped to you in good condition.

How do you perform carrier pay terms? It is good to know how quickly they pay their carriers because it gives you an idea but how their financial status is doing. You can also run a credit check to make sure they aren’t lying about it. You don’t want to end up paying double or having to reorder a shipment from a freight broker in Australia. 

How do you make sure carriers are following the rules? The broker needs to be making sure every carrier is following the proper protocol and not endangering themselves or your goods. A good broker will keep you, your goods, and the carrier protected this way. 

Do you belong to any associations? If they are a member of one of the associations in Australia, this is a good sign. The broker you work with needs to be dedicated to staying safe and efficient. 

What are your services? If they can only do one thing, you need to find someone else. The more services they can provide the better. This way, they can take care of whatever you need them to take care