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Control, insurance coverage, special services important in canier selection. .transportation broker matches canier and shipper. .good choice saves time, money, worry.

effective program. It should be understood that the carrier, not the broker, is liable for any claims that may arise. Understand what your obligations are, what the carrier's liabilities are and how the broker will mediate between the two. Many brokers have contingent cargo coverage in case there are any problems with the carrier's coverage,

Ask how quickly the carrier is paid and verify this by checking carrier references. A satisfied carrier will handle your shipments with more care and professionalism than one which is unhappy due to late or non payment.

This article is the product of three experts in the tronsportation field. It was coauthored by Judy Sennett and Richard Schefers, partners in R&R Truck Brokerage, Inc., Medford, Or. ond edited by Duane Wolfe, v.p. of sales and marketing for R&R and Siskiyou West, Yreka, Ca. Siskiyou Wst is owned by Schefers ond Richard Etchbon.-ed.

In considering your selection there are a number of important factors to examine. Bigger is not necessarily better. The small financially sound company may very well suit your needs.

Find out what the broker's specialty is; while they may be a one stop shopping center, if their primary business is in building materials rather than canned goods, this can be a plus.

Be sure the broker has a large enough carrier clientele to handle your volume of shipments at the pace you require. Discuss what type of control is maintained with the carrier. If the broker works with other brokers it could increase the possibility of diluting that control.

One of the often overlooked but more important items to investigate is the broker's handling of insurance coverage. Take the time to discuss this thoroughly, making sure there is an

Finally, explore what special services are provided. Will the broker provide one bill for your door to door shipment, or will you receive a bill for their commission and a separate freight bill from the carrier? Ifyou require stops in transit, such as extra pick-ups or deliveries, be sure they will be taken care of. Additional services you might look for are tarping, tracing, routing and rate quotations. While you might find brokers in the Yellow Pages, by word of mouth, or upon recommendation from your particular industry, a membership roster from the TransPortation Brokers Conference of America will provide a listing of some of the most professional brokers today. In order to be a member of the TBCA, a broker must be licensed by the Interstate Commerce Commission and must also be bonded. To obtain this roster, contact TBCA, P.O. Box 209., Oak Forest, Il. M52.

As you can begin to see, choosing a broker is far more complex than merely throwing a dart or comparing prices. While getting involved in any new relationship may causg uneasiness, establishing a relationship with a good broker should prove to be a savings in time, money, worry and Alka Seltzer.