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Why a broker? At
Transportation and Logistical Services, Inc. we are experts in logistics planning and have the resources and the ability to execute
those plans for you. Our methods are tested and routinely updated. TLS
can deliver
timely, professional transportation service for the delivery of goods
in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Our goal is to be an extension of your office. Let us help expedite your next shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions and Information
WHAT IS A PROPERTY BROKER?
A property broker is
the term established by the Interstate Commerce Commission of the United
States to describe individuals, or companies, who have
met all government requirements for licensing.
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WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF AN ICC. PROPERTY BROKER?
Each company or entity is required to
obtain a "surety bond" with an approved bank or insurance company,
and maintain "process service" agents in all 48 contiguous states.
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WHAT IS A SURETY
BOND?
Each company or entity must prove they are capable of
paying the various truck lines, airlines, railroads, or any other entity
being used by the broker.
An individual's credit, and/or financial strength, is investigated with
extreme thoroughness. Only then is a "bond" issued.
Accordingly, if for some reason the broker fails to pay the transportation
company, the bonding company must pay. As you can imagine,
the bonding company is very careful about who they insure.
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IS THIS A GROWING SECTOR OF THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY?
As of this writing, there are over 7,000 licensed transportation
brokers in the United States. In a recent article, the Wallstreet Journal
reported "transportation brokerage, and logistics" as the fastest
growing segment of the transportation industry.
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HOW DO I KNOW MY SHIPMENTS ARE BEING PROTECTED WITH INSURANCE, ETC.?
Each carrier being contracted by the TLS
must supply a minimum
of $100,000 cargo insurance and $1,000,000 liability insurance,
a current certificate of insurance, a copy of their operating authority from
the I.C.C., and sign a contract with us. In addition, our electronic
system provides for quarterly updates from the Department of Transportation
regarding current insurance documentation.
Our
computerized dispatch and accounting system will not allow us to book loads
with any carrier who has an expired insurance certificate, or pay
a carrier who has not signed our broker/carrier contract.
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CAN A BROKER HELP ME?
When a customer has high volume, specific rate needs,
specialized operational needs, or specific handling requirements, a broker is often the best
option.
We perform in the capacity of a truck line. The
only difference is we contract the actual movement of the goods
using I.C.C. licensed transportation companies.
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HOW ARE BROKERS BETTER ABLE TO OFFER FRIENDLIER RATES?
Major as well
as minor carriers often do not have the ability to fill their
backhaul lanes. Brokers cater to the backhaul needs of the carriers.
By supplying shipments that meet a specific geographic need they can obtain
better rates (no matter what geographic direction . . . One
carrier's head haul is someone else's backhaul)
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IN ESSENCE, WE ACT AS THE SALES STAFF FOR CARRIERS WHO DO NOT HAVE A SALES EFFORT IN A GIVEN GEOGRAPHIC REGION.
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IN SUMMARY:
TLS can provide a quality service,
at competitive prices, via truckload carriers, air freight carriers, less
than truckload carriers (LTL) and rail intermodal.
With experienced
personnel and relationships established with our partner carriers, we
are confident we can be an important participant in your transportation
program.
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