Level the playing field when negotiating parcel shipping contracts

By Mike Erickson

Once you understand your business profile and how you can best position your business volumes and characteristics with a carrier, decide whether you want to negotiate a new agreement with your incumbent or ask for competitive bids from different carriers.

Perhaps the most important tactic a shipper can use to cut its rates is opening its parcel portfolio up to competitive bids. Renegotiation with your current carrier can be the path of least resistance, but it won’t produce better prices than asking for competitive bids.