Is it really possible to find groupage quickly and without investment?

Groupage cargo is cargo that consists of several small shipments that are not large enough to fill an entire container or truck. They can be shipped on the same vehicle along with other cargo, which helps save on shipping costs. For carriers, groupage cargo can be a profitable option, as they can collect cargo from different locations and deliver it in one direction. This allows them to fill their vehicle to the maximum, increasing the profitability of the shipment.

Shipping groupage cargo is a sought-after transport service due to the ability to save when sending medium and small batches of products. This is a good motivation for cargo owners. However, the demand for the service does not eliminate the need to search for relevant and regular requests and compete with other carriers. The issue of finding requests to load a truck with groupage cargo is always relevant, so it is necessary to know where to look for them and how to find them quickly. Read more about this in the article.

What difficulties do carriers face when searching for requests and how to overcome them

Transporting groupage cargo requires attracting several customers simultaneously. As a result, more effort is needed to prevent losses associated with empty runs. Even if orders for delivery in one direction are found, it is not profitable to return with a half-empty truck, for example. The main problem is the inability to find the required number of orders in a timely manner. But there are other accompanying difficulties: 
•    Dishonest shippers — those who promised cargo for group delivery to you but handed it over to another carrier without notifying you of their decision, or changed their mind at the last moment. This also includes companies that delay payment and hold up the transfer of money to the account. 
•    Inaccuracy of the provided data — when something is reported over the phone, but upon arrival, it turns out that the product exceeds the volume, dimensions, or weight.
•    Organizational difficulties — for example, in combining groupage cargo according to their destination, composition, storage period, transportation conditions, and other criteria. Relying solely on the information provided by shippers makes it easy to make a mistake.

Some problems can be prevented by filtering out dubious orders immediately after reviewing the contract for transporting groupage cargo, which specifies all the data for all batches of goods.

Idle transport is bad, but it is worse to work at a loss or spend extra money on transportation.

Those carriers win who have achieved stable cooperation with shippers. When part of the orders comes naturally, it is easier not to go into the red. This is the direction to strive for — to work with companies on a permanent basis. For this, it is necessary to adapt, change quickly, and not let anyone surpass you. 

It is not about low prices for group delivery, but about what you can offer to cargo owners — guarantees, accompanying services, 24/7 availability, and more. Prove your professional expertise specifically in the delivery of groupage cargo with successful shipments, justify your offers, respond to questions with motivating and convincing solutions, and provide recommendations that save the customer's budget.

If your work simplifies life for customers, they will turn to you. But when there are not enough regular clients, you will have to take risks and start working with someone from scratch. You need to look for orders where there is something to choose from, for example, on the freight exchange website com-stil.com. 

Transporting groupage cargo — who will be the customer 

It is easier to find clients if you know who to contact and who the target audience is. This can save time and money. 

Who may need the delivery of groupage cargo: 
•    individuals moving for permanent residence; 
•    large online stores and small businesses;
•    regional representatives of companies and distributors;
•    wholesale suppliers;
•    small-scale manufacturing companies. 

Offer your services for the delivery of products as part of groupage cargo in such a way that the customer sees the real benefit in partial transportation of goods. Demonstrate your services where they are sought, for example, on specialized platforms, adding your transport and positioning it as the delivery of groupage cargo. But do not focus on low prices, otherwise, sooner or later you will have to work at a loss. The cost of transporting groupage cargo should be higher than the delivery of full loads. Dumping leads to the formation of a customer base focused on low prices, which results in losses.

5 life hacks on how to convince potential customers to choose your company:

•    create a unique offer tailored to the client's interests;
•    be honest about pricing and delivery times;
•    discuss mutual benefits of ongoing cooperation;
•    offer compensation for delivery delays and other guarantees;
•    demonstrate enthusiasm in solving the client's problem.

How to find regular requests for transporting groupage cargo?

Cargo owners care about quality and inexpensive shipping of groupage cargo, while carriers care about finding orders, stable shipments, and good profits. Therefore, the fastest way to find requests is to look for them where shipping companies and customers are looking for transport to deliver their products. 

Ways to find groupage cargo when time is tight:
•    Call clients — this method involves persistently offering your services, which can be annoying and have the opposite effect. 
•    Advertisements on social networks and messengers — most communities and channels are useless due to excessive spam. 
•    Transport and logistics exchanges — a good option to find a customer specifically in the groupage transport segment. You need to register once and can use the cargo search and all functionality for an unlimited time. 
•    Contacting dispatchers — in this case, you will have to share earnings and pay them an average of 5 - 10% of the transportation cost. 
•    Classified ads like Avito and OLX — ineffective for those carriers who want to find regular orders and serious customers. 
•    Only specialized platforms are needed, where all information is aimed at loading a truck full of goods, gathering orders for future shipments, and earning; other sources are a waste of time.

Working methods for finding groupage cargo 

You can find orders for the delivery of groupage cargo really quickly if you search independently and simultaneously post your requests with transport. This way, the chances of success in finding backloads double.  
Most types of products can be transported as groupage cargo, including hazardous materials, perishable goods, bulk cargo, small equipment, and dismantled factories. Any type of goods can be transported as groupage cargo. 
Therefore, it is possible to find orders for delivery for any type of transport. Use the opportunities of the Com-Stil exchange for this. Registration on the site is free and will take a few minutes. After filling out your profile, you will gain access to orders, contacts, and additional information. You also need to post your requests with transport to speed up the search.