Most companies stick with their freight forwarder for years. It makes sense—changing providers feels risky and time-consuming. But that loyalty often comes with a hidden cost.
If you have been working with the same provider for years, they know they have you in their pocket. Because they hold all the specific data about your volumes and shipment history, it is incredibly easy for them to gradually raise their rates. Over time, their margins get bigger, and your rates are no longer competitive.
The problem is that most importers have no idea this is happening. Checking the entire market takes manpower most companies do not have.
To fix this, getting three or four competing quotes is not enough. Here is the exact strategy required to level the playing field:
Gather the Market: Pull 15 to 30 different proposals from various freight forwarders for a single lane.
Identify the Bottom Line: Compare them all in one spreadsheet to find the absolute most competitive offer.
Negotiate from Strength: Take that bottom-line number to a best-in-class provider and ask them to match it.
You would do this kind of straightforward comparison shopping for an appliance in your home. You should absolutely be doing it for your global supply chain.
At Fractional Consulting, we gather this exact data and build the comparative cost structures for you. We provide the full picture, allowing you to make a completely informed financial decision without the overhead.
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