Secure Powerful Savings With Optimized Carrier Contracts

Negotiate for smooth relationships with better carrier rates, cost-saving solutions, and curated analyses.

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Up to 35% on Bid Negotiations

Data-Driven Negotiation

FreightOptics’ software leverages historical data, equipping you for informed negotiations and ideal outcomes. 

Market Competitive Rates

As insiders and data experts, we have the context & knowledge to negotiate discount rates that match industry standards.    

Comprehensive Savings Analysis

We quantify your savings so you know exactly what the before-and-after FreightOptics results.

Transform Spending Into Savings

Between clauses, unexpected accessorial fees, and keeping actual rates under lock and key, carriers use what you don’t know to give themselves the best deal. Well-handled negotiations know what to look for to keep your money in your hands.
FreightOptics’ integrated data analysis will tell you just how watertight your contracts really are. Our expert guides help you negotiate (or re-negotiate) for significant savings and more favorable terms.

Smart Shippers Don’t Negotiate Alone

We believe in achieving the best outcomes through a holistic approach to business optimization—extending beyond just contracts. Our data-driven methodology delves into the unique dynamics of your business to secure tailored deals that best suit your needs.
Supported by our team of industry experts and insiders, we identify cost-saving opportunities and negotiate optimal carrier rates. With our educated, end-to-end customer support, you receive knowledgeable assistance every step of the way.

Redefining Industry Best Practices: The AAAAIM Process

FreightOptics’ unique methodology dives deep and surfaces with curated insights
to steer you in the right direction.

Why Choose FreightOptics?

What FreightOptics Customers Say

“ We have always tried to manage our transportation needs based on our success or failures with different carriers. Zero Down has shown that they have much more visibility and understanding on the inner workings of the local carriers that we could have ever imagined. We thank you for the valued service that you are able to provide us. “
T.W., Purchasing AgentLighting Manufacturer
T.W., Purchasing Agent
Due to the overwhelming success of Zero Down’s FreightOptics audit and optimization platform, our parcel carrier actually tried to sway us to one of their less effective competitors.
C. C., Vice President of Plant OperationsCruise Line Vendor
C. C., Vice President of Plant Operations
Thank you for all your help and patience in the last couple of years to make this happen. Your advice during COVID and the inflationary environment was key in getting us a good deal.
S.T., Head of StrategyPromotional Products Distributor
S.T., Head of Strategy
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FAQs

Simply request a demo to see our solution in action. Say goodbye to paperwork and hello to streamlined management with FreightOptics.

A carrier contract is the binding agreement that a company makes with shipping carriers that determines the terms and conditions of their transportation partnership. Contracts include the services that each party will provide, associated fees and rates, and other terms relevant to cooperating. 

A contract usually contains:

  • Disclosures of parties involved 
  • Start and end dates
  • Shipment details (What, when, where, Geo-specific data)
  • Additional tasks defined and outlined, such as subcontracting or additional carrier work beyond transportation
  • Rates and fees (eg. shipping, fuel, handling, customs and tax) with clear payment process outline
  • Liability terms (who is responsible for damaged goods) and insurance requirements (carrier & cargo insurance, workers’ compensation coverage, bonding and licensing)
  • Provisions for dispute resolution
Contract negotiation is the process of outlining, negotiating, an agreeing to a carrier contract. Brokers and carriers cooperate on terms that are mutually beneficial for both parties. Negotiations are an important part of broker-carrier partnerships because contracts hold everyone involved accountable to the terms agreed upon and can help streamline communication, execution, and dispute resolution. 
Carrier rates depend on a variety of factors including the cargo, destination, transportation mode, and scope of work. But the biggest factor is the market itself. Ultimately, carriers know that they are only competing against themselves: they set the industry rate. This is why you’re hard pressed to find actual industry standard rates; it gives you leverage to negotiate for lower prices. It’s also why having data, expertise, and experience on your side matter. The more you know about your own data, the carrier’s historical rates, and how to negotiate down, the better deal you’ll get.

A major source of money leakage comes from accessorial fees and clauses, which are additional charges built into a contract on an a la carte basis. In many cases, accessorial fees can help bolster other value-adding aspects of your transportation needs, such as being able to get carrier support on storage or residential deliveries. The key is knowing what to look out for, so you can take opportunities to negotiate about the terms.   

Common fees:

  • Courier and Documentation fees
  • General Rate Increase clause (GRI)
  • Cargo Ready Date (CRD) clauses
  • Clauses about early termination, minimum commitments, growth, inflation)
  • Accessorial fees (Pallet fees, delivery Area surcharges, Residential charges, additional stops, handling
  • Fuel surcharges
  • Fees for dangerous cargo, oversize loads, reclassification and weight adjustment
The more information you have, the more prepared you are to negotiate for the best rates in a competitive market. In an industry where data means leverage, technology and analytics are your best friend. Gone are the days of manual data collection: spreadsheets galore, manual invoice comparisons, relying on historical information alone. Nowadays, you need real-time, accurate data, and a lot of it. Integrated software like FreightAudit uses AI and advanced technological data collection and analytics to assess your operation’s expenses, compile carrier rates in your industry, track market rate fluctuations, and benchmark insights to competitor businesses. 

FreightOptics’ unique 6-part AAAAIM methodology sets us apart from other third party logistics software companies because we are data-driven, deeply integrated, informed by experienced industry experts, and care about developing an maintain positive relationships all around—between you, us, carriers, and your customers alike. 

With FreightOptics, you get data-driven negotiations, comprehensive cost-savings analysis, end-to-end customer support, and real-time analytics. And because we integrate directly into your existing systems, often, you don’t have to lift a finger.

Traditional contract negotiations are notorious for being long and costly because of the labor and resources needed to collect data, analyze it and communicate with carriers. FreightOptics’ advanced software automatically collects huge amounts of data with minimal manpower. As a third party company, we make sense of the data and report back with concise, accurate reports and recommendations to empower your decision-making. Our experts facilitate contract back-and-forths and make sure all of the boxes are checked to get your goods up and moving. As agreements go into effect, our technology and team performs regular audits and can manage claims quickly.
Ultimately, your goods need to be shipped, and carriers need goods to ship. Though no contract negotiation is easy, it need not be negative. FreightOptics ensures that you come to the table prepared with data-backed, objective goals and a strategy that centers relationship-building with evidence-informed priorities. Our staff has lived experience in negotiating thousands of contracts from both sides of the table. The more solid and detailed the contract, the less you have to worry about handling things that could actually hurt your relationship with carriers, like unexpected fees and disputes.
Yes, FreightOptics supports you before contracts by performing an internal freight audit, during the entire negotiations process, and after it for implementation and maintenance. Our dedicated staff takes end-to-end support seriously.
Contact us here [LINK CONTACT PAGE] to get in touch with the FreightOptics support team. Take advantage [LINK] of our free assessments and consultations to discuss potential savings and strategy. Keep up to date on the industry by subscribing to our newsletter [LINK], following us on LinkedIn [link], and exploring our partner company ZeroDown Supply Chain Solutions [LINK].

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how you can cut carrier contract costs and refine your negotiations strategy.

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