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Does the Instant Quotes and Tracking Features Save Shippers Money?

Every shipper wants to save money on freight deliveries. Some truckers use Instant quotes and tracking features to expand their profit margins. Instant quotes provide a snapshot of what you’ll get charged, but not every quote offers the complete picture. We’ll share everything you need to know about getting an instant freight quote online. 

How Do Instant Quotes and Tracking Features Work?

Shippers want to know their total cost before reaching an agreement. This advanced knowledge helps shippers determine if an order is worth shipping. A freight shipping quote informs a shipper of the cost of delivery. Instant quotes help you find offers from the best trucking companies.

Tracking features give you extra clarity on your shipment. You can track the freight’s location and receive estimated departure and arrival dates.

How Are Instant Quotes Calculated?

Every carrier calculates instant quotes differently. Freight carriers use some of these factors to calculate instant quotes:

  • Lanes used
  • Type of freight
  • Delivery date
  • The freight’s weight
  • The amount of space freight takes up

Some carriers prioritize the delivery date in quotes, while others prioritize the type of freight. Each carrier will provide a different quote. Shippers should shop around to find the best deals.

You will receive different quotes based on the type of truck you use. Shippers can choose from many trucking options, including:

  • Full truckload
  • Less-than-truckload
  • Dry van
  • Refrigerated van
  • Flatbed truck

The type of freight influences the truck you use. Meat and pharmaceuticals require refrigerated trucks. Oddly shaped objects that cannot fit in a dry van may need a flatbed truck. 

Why Use Online Freight Quote Calculators? 

Many shippers look for an instant freight quote online to save time. You can get a quote in minutes to get an idea of how much you will pay. Online quoting sites do the research for you. Shippers can find quotes from the cheapest and most reliable carriers. 

Shippers get introduced to more carriers, decreasing their reliance on a single carrier. Some shippers negotiate with their favorite carriers if they receive a lower quote somewhere else. Shippers can also choose a cheap, reliable option while working with multiple companies.

How Do I Get a Freight Quote Calculated?

It’s easy to get an instant freight quote online. Most quoting sites only need your delivery date, pickup location, and shipping destination to provide a free quote. Providing few details can lead to an overpromising quote. Quoting sites will let you provide additional information about your freight, leading to more accurate quotes.

How Does Freight Tracking Actually Work?

Freight tracking lets you track your freight. You can see its current location and how long it will take for the shipment to reach its destination. Shipping labels enable shippers to track freight from start to finish. Carriers will scan the shipping label each time they load and unload a shipment.

Here’s a Few Instant Quotes Factors To Consider

An instant quote provides greater clarity for your freight. Instead of wondering about costs, you can calculate them into your budget. However, the instant quotes you receive only tell part of the story. Consider these factors when reviewing instant quotes for your freight.

Guaranteed Rate

Market conditions influence prices. During trucking shortages, carriers will raise their quotes. If market conditions change drastically in a few days, you can suddenly look at a higher quote. 

Look for carriers that offer guaranteed rates in their online quotes. Carriers offering guaranteed rates will not adjust their rate due to changes in the market. They maintain their word on the quote even if a significant trucking shortage occurs or the cost of gas rises. Guaranteed rates provide more certainty with the online quote’s price point.

Guarantee Coverage

Guaranteed coverage can save you a lot of headaches and money. Some drivers fall off and do not deliver the freight. Carriers may return the load to you. 

Shippers can either work with the same carrier or look for a new carrier. However, shipping out the freight a second time will cost additional money.

Guaranteed coverage protects shippers from this scenario. Not every carrier includes guarantee coverage in their instant quotes. You should ask about the price of guarantee coverage before agreeing to work with a carrier. You can also only accept quotes that offer guaranteed coverage. These quotes provide peace of mind and give you more accurate pricing.

Performance

A low price means nothing if the carrier fails to deliver your freight. When reviewing freight shipping quotes, check each company’s performance. You can narrow your list based on price, but the research does not end at price points.

Make sure the carrier can deliver your specified freight. Some carriers have little experience delivering your type of freight. Companies should offer tracking to help you monitor your shipment’s location. Reviewing this information enables you to gauge a carrier’s performance. You can identify potential issues and decide if you want to continue working with this carrier in the future.

Expedited Shipping

Some shippers need freight delivered quickly. Expedited trucking companies specialize in delivering your orders sooner.

Expedited shipping will cost more money. If you did not specify expedited shipping in your quote, calculate that extra expense. Shippers should also review trucking companies to see if they can ship the order on time.

Advantages of Instant Quotes 

An instant shipping quote gives you access to pricing information faster, helping you save time. Shippers can filter quotes to find ones that offer guaranteed rates and coverage. You can get quotes for many carriers on the spot instead of calling several of them and waiting for individualized quotes. 

Shippers with more choices can compare quotes and find the best deal. You risk getting a bad deal if you only deal with one freight carrier. Some carriers will take advantage of their exclusivity and charge higher prices. Instant quotes help you shop around and discover the best option for your shipment.

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