Estimating whether your bid is suitable for a particular shipment is both an art and a science. To make an informed decision, consider these key questions:
- How much fuel will the trip require? Factor in the distance for both pickup and drop-off, keeping in mind your vehicle's fuel efficiency.
- What is the shipment’s weight and size? Larger or heavier items can demand more fuel.
- Will you need additional help or time for loading or unloading? Think about whether hiring an assistant might be necessary.
- How urgent is the delivery? Urgent shipments may require adjustments to your schedule or bidding strategy.
- Will there be any additional charges? Account for potential costs like road tolls, hotel stays, equipment, or pet food.
With so many variables at play, courier rates typically range between $0.55 and $3 per mile, depending on the shipment type, with shorter trips tending to secure higher rates. However, customers don’t always choose drivers based solely on price. Understanding what drives their decisions can help you succeed. You can learn more about what it takes to win in this article.
New drivers without customer feedback may need to offer competitive rates to secure their first shipments. Once you’ve completed a few deliveries and received positive reviews, you can gradually increase your bids. Customers value reliability, communication, and professionalism, so building a strong reputation early on is key.
Another strategy for beginners is to include the cost of expediting the background check for their first bid. This way, you can complete the security screening before booking your first shipment. While not mandatory, this can increase customer trust and improve your chances of securing shipments early on.
Finally, if you're finding it difficult to turn a profit with low bids, our Rideshare Tool will help you out with that.
You can utilize our Gas & Toll Profit Calculator to gain a clearer understanding of the costs involved and to price shipments more accurately.
If you are a new driver and would like more hands-on guidance, you can sign up for our weekly webinar or schedule a 1 on 1 onboarding call with a driver team representative. For additional information, reach out to our support team or explore more advice on our blog.
What to read next?
For more information, see the articles on payment tips (2-min read) and upfront payments (2-min read).
For more general-purpose advice, see the Transporters section of our Help Center.
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