Buyer's guide
Evaluating a dispatch service
A good dispatch relationship starts with good questions. This guide helps carriers compare providers on facts — not sales calls.
The questions
Eight questions that separate professionals from promises
How are fees calculated, and on what basis?
A percentage of gross revenue is different from a percentage after fuel surcharge. Get the basis in writing and run real load examples through the math.
How do you source freight?
Anyone can claim access. Ask how loads are found, reviewed, and presented — and how often you will see offers in your lanes.
Who is my dispatcher, and how do we communicate?
A named person, clear hours, and escalation paths are the difference between support and voicemail.
What happens if no freight is found?
If the service only earns when you haul, pressure to take bad loads is real. Ask how slow weeks are handled.
What is the agreement term and cancellation policy?
Lock-ins with heavy penalties deserve scrutiny. Reasonable terms include clear notice periods.
Do you guarantee loads, rates, or income?
If the answer is yes, walk away. No legitimate dispatch service controls the freight market.
Which equipment do you actually dispatch?
A service that claims every equipment type often does none well. Look for focus.
Can you show your process — not just promises?
A professional operation can walk you through how loads are reviewed, booked, and documented.
Red flags
Signals that deserve caution
Compare fairly
How we invite comparison
You should evaluate Pure Logistics against the same checklist. Here is our honest starting point:
- Our fees are defined in a written agreement with a clearly stated basis
- We dispatch dry van, flatbed, step deck, and open deck — and say no outside that scope
- We prefer carriers with at least 180 days of authority and say so openly
- We do not guarantee loads, rates, or income — and we recommend you distrust anyone who does
- We never ask for your DAT credentials, passwords, or banking details
Use the Dispatch Service Readiness Checklist to prepare for any provider's first call — including ours.
Next step
Test us with these questions
Book a consultation and ask every question on this page. A provider worth working with will welcome it.