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Logistics/Supply Chain/Questions Answered by Expert Jim Bowers
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Brokerage Question | 1/5/2012 |
| Q: I work for a returnable plastic container management company in logistics. I secure and pay ... A: Andrew, you will hear different opinions on this question. A strict interpretation of federal law ... | |
| Outsourcing logistics operations | 11/17/2010 |
| Q: Despite the common reasons given for outsourcing; Service improvement,cost reduction, increasing ... A: That's a really good question Phil. I can only guess what motivates different management decisions ... | |
| Shipping And Tracking Systems Inquiry | 8/27/2010 |
| Q: I've been tracking a package that i'm expecting and i noticed the weight of my package was around 6 ... A: There could be any number of reasons, but you will know when it is delivered. Check for any damage ... | |
| freight derivatives | 6/30/2010 |
| Q: I would like to ask you whether Freight Derivatives exist in the trucking industry as well. In the ... A: I have heard this concept theorized in the past but I have never seen any practical implementation. ... | |
| freight reclassification | 6/7/2010 |
| Q: This is further to my earlier query on NMFC freight classification and losses to LTL carriers ... A: Pradeep; 1) At the outbound terminal when the shipment arrives after pickup, the details from the ... | |
| Cost of Freight as a % of Net Purchases and Net Sales | 3/4/2010 |
| Q: I have calculated my Cost of Freight as a percentage of my net purchases and net sales and I was ... A: Memo, that sounds logical, but I would still track over time. Other factors that can influence this ... | |
| Cost of Freight as a % of Net Purchases and Net Sales | 3/3/2010 |
| Q: I have calculated my Cost of Freight as a percentage of my net purchases and net sales and I was ... A: Memo, your percentages seem reasonable on the surface, but there are so many variables that the only ... | |
| Liability in Bankruptcy | 1/6/2010 |
| Q: Jim, A vendor of ours filed bankruptcy about 1 year ago. I believe our terms were FOB destination so ... A: Carl, FOB terms denote where title to the goods transfer and does not in itself contraol freight ... | |
| dynamic pricing | 12/14/2009 |
| Q: This is a question purely at a conceptual level. For a Logistics Service Provider, would a software ... A: Pradeeep, probably not, but it depends on what services you are pricing. For a software program to ... | |
| qualification for going into logistics | 10/14/2009 |
| Q: I am very interest in logistics and going into a global logistics program offered at cal state long ... A: Mikel. This is a great field to be in if you like a challenge every day. My best recommendation at ... | |
| Double Broker Curve Ball for you | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: We are a Broker that has an interesting curve ball of a Double Broker issue to deal with. I was ... A: Chris, it all comes down to the terms on the BOL which serves as a contract between the shipper and ... | |
| Double Broker Curve Ball for you | 9/21/2009 |
| Q: We are a Broker that has an interesting curve ball of a Double Broker issue to deal with. I was ... A: Chris, this is a thorny issue and precisely why virtually every Broker-Shipper Agreement and every ... | |
| Broker's liability | 8/29/2009 |
| Q: I am currently an agent for a motor carrier. I am considering obtaining brokerage authority to ... A: Del, as an agent your liability will be limited by whatever contract you signed with the carrier. ... | |
| Payment to common carrier owner/operator | 3/4/2009 |
| Q: Is it legal for a broker to refuse to pay for a delivery that a trucker has made unless and/or until ... A: Lisa, everything rides on the contract or other written agreement between the Trucker and the ... | |
| broker license? | 11/7/2008 |
| Q: I have a question. I am currently running a truck 6 days a week for a customer. I work under the ... A: Debbie, someone need to be licensed by the FMCSA as a motor carrier. The Broker is only licensed to ... | |
| answer given to a person on agent vs broker | 9/17/2008 |
| Q: Jim your answer on agent vs broker was fine, but there are forwarders and brokers such as the one I ... A: I was aware that this arrangement exists but do not have any contact with people who are involved on ... | |
| Leasing truck onto my company | 4/9/2008 |
| Q: Jim, I saw where you had a lease agreement to lease on an owner-operator-I cant find it-my small ... A: Megan, I don't have any lease agreements. Check this website for general information of interest ... | |
| owner of a truck or just driver | 3/24/2008 |
| Q: I have several years of driving experiance and have researched into buying my own semi. But I don't ... A: David, you are very astute to be asking these questions before you commit to the costs of owning a ... | |
| Freight Broker or Agent ?? | 3/20/2008 |
| Q: I have been in the transportation operation industry for over 10 yrs. I have good amount of contacts ... A: Natasha, the choice will come down to what works best in your situation. To be an independent ... | |
| dispatch services | 3/18/2008 |
| Q: A friend of mine just became an owner-operator and wants me to handle his load dispatching from my ... A: Ron, I'm making the assumption that the OO's will all be running under their own authority and you ... | |
| Payment check cancelled | 2/27/2008 |
| Q: We own our transportation business and have appropriate authority. We recently accepted a load that ... A: Debby, I need to clarify your use of the term COD. 1. Are you talking Freight Collect and you are ... | |
| brokerage license | 1/15/2008 |
| Q: Does a licensed customs brokerage house/international freight forwarder need also to have a freight ... A: Yes Kate. These are two different licenses. I know little about customs brokerage but I think it ... | |
| Distribution cost as % of invoice value | 11/27/2007 |
| Q: I'm looking for some reserch regards the distribution cost as a % of invoice value. I know it will ... A: Dion, check out the www.cscmp.org website. They sponsor the annual "State of Logistics" report which ... | |
| Contracts | 8/23/2007 |
| Q: Bowers, My partners and I are starting up a trucking company in less than 3 months. Our major ... A: Tiffany, it will be tough to get into the major shippers with a startup. They typically bid their ... | |
| international shipping | 7/30/2007 |
| Q: this is a relatively simple question, but I am finding it hard to find and compare prices easily. I ... A: Brad, There are currently no price comparison sites that I know of for international airfreight, ... | |
| Looking for freight to haul From Fl. to north | 7/14/2007 |
| Q: Do you know any co. that need freight stickily hauled from Fl. to Pa or Ct.and back again, I am ... A: Bob, if you have operating authority you can contact a any broker or subscribe to an on line load ... | |
| Question on Carrier Interlining and Cargo Hostage situations | 4/13/2007 |
| Q: I very recently ran up on this problem and though I have faced this problem before I have never ... A: I am not a lawyer, so I can only offer my opinion. You may need to see an attorney before it's all ... | |
| Question on Carrier Interlining and Cargo Hostage situations | 4/12/2007 |
| Q: I very recently ran up on this problem and though I have faced this problem before I have never ... A: Now it's getting interesting. The verbiage states that "BROKER shall have the right of paying the ... | |
| Question on Carrier Interlining and Cargo Hostage situations | 4/11/2007 |
| Q: I very recently ran up on this problem and though I have faced this problem before I have never ... A: Shelli, it's hard to answer without the details of your contract with the original carrier. You ... | |
| How to get a Broker's license | 3/1/2007 |
| Q: I am trying to get information on how to get a broker's license. I know I need an MC# and bond. ... A: Annette, school is not a requirement, but knowledge is. I would start by looking at the TIA ... | |
| load offers | 2/1/2007 |
| Q: we have been in the expiditing business for about 2 weeks now, with the largest expidetor in the US. ... A: Brad, I don't have any direct experience in expediting, but I understand it can be profitable based ... | |
| Truck Tires | 1/10/2007 |
| Q: I was asked this question and didnt have an anwer thought maybe someone here could help. Why do some ... A: I'm not sure what type of truck you saw, but the ones I am familiar with are dump trucks. I assume ... | |
| combined distribution centre charges | 8/5/2006 |
| Q: My company has recently set up a CDC (combined distribution centre). Our vendors used to arrange ... A: There is no secret formula. I assume the purpose of the CDC was to lower the total supply chain ... | |
| Tariff | 7/12/2006 |
| Q: Jim, I own an Information Brokerage that has several attorneys as clients. Some seem to specialize ... A: Jim, I am not an attorney and I have not looked at this recently, but I will answer as best I can ... | |
| trucking question... | 5/28/2003 |
| Q: I am the owner of a furniture importing company that is currently just servicing the greater Miami ... A: Brian, I will try to give you some general information that might be helpful. You didn't mention ... | |
| Logistics startup pros and cons | 7/30/2002 |
| Q: I am interested in starting a freight logistics business.I have contacts with drivers and loads; ... A: Mark, your best source will be the Transportation Intermediaries Association. See ... | |
Logistics/Supply Chain
Answers by Expert:
Jim Bowers
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Expertise in Transportation Solution Development, Pricing issues, Bid process, Negotiations, Development of Costing and Pricing information systems.
Experience
30 Years in Transportation Industry. Major Multi-site shipper, Consultant, Major National LTL Carrier, Regional TL, 3PL, Dedicated Trucking
Organizations
Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, Roundtable Officer.
Education/Credentials
BA Marketing
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