Believe all have read enough about tariffs and understand how they work. The challenge when reading comments on LINKEDIN, many do not understand that the tariff uncertainty resulted in 44% less vessels from shipping to the USA. This creates what I refer to as PENT up freight, shippers just put orders on hold and did not ship. Pent up freight is a negative and a positive. The biggest negative is carriers and brokers did see drops in volumes and rates. 1- positive it will create more inland freight when it arrives. 2- Carriers should be seeing increased freight volumes now and for the next 90 days-120 days based on sailing times. 3- Cross border rates are up 30% -50% - lack of capacity due to tariffs- this I understand is also a negative for shippers. This also results in lack of inbound to Canada, opportunity for brokers and carriers with the right networks 4- confusion, congestion, will all create opportunities 1- negative the SSLs have levied GRIs- in addition to a tariff of 30% or more- shippers now have a $2000-$5000 GRI to add to each container. One NVOCC stated we may see GRIs similar to COVID as much as $15,000 per container to the USA. 2- Ocean is about selling capacity not rates with 90 day window to ship - shippers have had contracts negated, they will all pay GRIs. 3- Wal-Mart is only one retailer amongst many that will not absorb the increases- prices will go up and affect consumer confidence and spending. 4- Many retailers we work with like Home Depot will not raise prices based on CEO comment- he did also comment if tariff raises rate too high they will not stock the item. I did go this weekend, HD prices for my deck VS last year quote are 30% higher. NO they will not match the quote I did not use last year. 😎 The next 90 days with freight flowing from China will create volumes and opportunity. The EU, India imports are also flowing at higher volumes. Higher prices or not, volumes will increase, carriers and brokers should benefit with higher rates which our industry has needed for 2.5 years.

How many cities across America will cancel their 4th of July Independence Day Fireworks Events due to high tariffs on Chinese Fireworks? lol 💥

Anybody else part of a networking group that meets in person? Local Traffic of transportation club? Chamber of Commerce? Marketing and Sales social Groups? Do you find good value in Networking with fellow professionals in person?

13 years in business and we just had our slowest January in 10 years. What would you think is the biggest determinant of this? The Economy, Politics, Consumer Spending? No matter where I look business is down. We didn’t lose accounts but the ones we have are slower. The rate of adding new clients has declined. It’s not just local or in any one service type. (First, Middle, Final mile/Warehousing/Crating/Cross Dock) There is a general decline in freight starting this year at all locations across all segments in all verticals. Historically January has always been great for us. Anybody got the answer?

➡️ They're boring and sound just like everyone else. Here are 3 of the worst sales pitches for freight brokers and carriers for that matter! 1. "Hey Joe we have trucks in your area and I wanted to touch base and see if we can help you move any of your freight?" 2. "Hey Joe I am a freight broker and have access to a network of over 5,000 trucks. I was wondering if we quote you on some of your lanes?" 3. "Hey Joe I am freight broker and I can save you money on your full truckload freight. I was wondering if I could quote you on some of your lanes?" I'd say that most brokers/agents use some version of these very bad and outdated scripts. Shippers have heard this crap for years and are sick of freight jockeys. All you are doing with these terrible scripts is TRIGGERING a negative response once they recognize speech pattern and cadence. This NEGATIVE response if very difficult to overcome. Impossible in most cases! Shippers don't want to talk to salespeople, but they are happy to talk to freight experts. Fact, is you only have 5-10 seconds or less to get your pospect's attention. For god sake, please ditch those old dusty 1980's sales scripts. When you sound like everyone else, don't be shocked when you get treated like everyone else. BE DIFFERENT!!! Any and all feedback, questions welcomed. 😎🍻