Handing your business to a dispatcher is a real decision — they negotiate your rates and shape your week. Vet them like you would a business partner. Here's what separates the good ones from the ones to walk away from.
Red flags — walk away from these
- Forced dispatch. If they can put you on a load you didn't approve, they're dispatching for their convenience, not your profit. You should approve every load.
- Long-term contracts. Multi-month lock-ins mostly protect the dispatcher. A good one earns your business week to week.
- Big upfront fees. Be very cautious about large "setup" or "authority package" fees paid before you've hauled anything.
- Vague pricing. If they can't tell you clearly whether it's a percentage or flat fee and what it's calculated on, that's a problem.
- Percentage on the all-in rate. The fee should be on linehaul, not on your fuel surcharge, detention, or lumper reimbursements.
Green flags — what good looks like
- No forced dispatch, no long contract. Confidence that they'll keep you around by performing, not by paperwork.
- Clear, fair fee you understand before you start.
- Real availability. Freight goes wrong at 2 AM. You want a dispatcher who actually answers when a load reschedules or you hit detention.
- Knows your equipment and lanes. A dispatcher who understands reefer appointments or flatbed securement negotiates better for you than a generalist.
- Honest about the market. A good dispatcher tells you when a lane is soft instead of overpromising.
The one-sentence test:
"Can I approve every load, cancel anytime, and know exactly what your fee is?" If the answer to all three isn't a clear yes, keep looking.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Is there forced dispatch, or do I approve every load?
- Is there a contract, and can I cancel anytime?
- Is your fee a percentage or flat, and is it on linehaul only?
- Are there any setup or hidden fees?
- What hours can I actually reach you when a load goes wrong?
- Do you have experience with my equipment and my lanes?
- How do you handle detention, TONU, and lumper reimbursement?
- Will you work with my factoring company?
How we answer those questions
For the record, here's where we stand: no forced dispatch, no long-term contract, a clear fee sized to your operation, and real 24/7 support. We dispatch every major trailer type and coordinate with your factoring company. If that's the kind of dispatcher you're looking for, get a free quote — or read how our pricing works and what we actually handle.