Freight counter offer calculator

How to use the freight counter offer calculator

You need the broker's offer, the miles and the lowest number you will take.

1. 01

   Enter the broker's offer

   Type the offer as a flat total for the load.

2. 02

   Add the miles

   Enter loaded miles, and deadhead miles if you have them. Deadhead only changes the per mile figures.

3. 03

   Set your lowest number

   Choose whether you are entering a flat total or a rate per loaded mile, then type it. The counter never goes below it.

4. 04

   Read the suggested counter

   See the counter, rounded up to the next $5, with the rate per loaded mile and the all in rate per mile.

5. 05

   If the broker replies

   Set Broker replied to yes, then enter their new number and the counter you sent to get the next step.

6. 06

   Copy the reply email

   Add the origin, destination and a reason if you like, then use Copy email and send it yourself.

How the counter offer is worked out

A counter offer should move the number up without losing the load. This helper applies a few plain rules to the numbers you type. It never goes below your lowest number or the broker's offer, and it rounds to a multiple of $5.

Deadhead miles only change the per mile figures shown. They do not change the suggested counter.

Counter offer example

Two rounds of the rules, with your lowest number set to $1,900 in the second.

• Round 1: the broker offers $1,900 and your lowest number is $1,000. The margin is 5% of $1,900 = $95. $1,900 + $95 = $1,995, which is already a multiple of $5, so the counter is $1,995.
• Round 2: the broker comes back with $2,300 after your ask of $2,420, and your lowest number is $1,900. $2,300 × 1.015 = $2,334.50, rounded up to $2,335. That is above your lowest number and within $150 of your last ask, so the next counter is $2,335.
• If the broker meets or beats your last ask, the calculator tells you that you can accept.

What this calculator does not do

It does not use market rates or lane data, and it does not add deadhead or load type premiums. It is a suggestion from simple rules and the numbers you typed, and it is your call whether to send it.