- What is Loadfinders
- How does Loadfinders work?
- Managing your loads – the Dashboard
- Account and payment options
- General FAQ
- FAQ for Transporters
- FAQ for Load Providers
What is Loadfinders?
Loadfinders.co.nz is a marketplace for road freight in New Zealand. Loadfinders has been created by a group of experienced freight industry people, aiming to provide greater opportunities and flexibility for freight companies and their potential customers. You must register (free) to use the services.
Who can use Loadfinders?
Load Providers
Any business or person can be a Load Provider. This can include despatchers, manufacturers, distributors, warehouses, or simply somebody moving house.
Transporters
Anyone in the business of commercial roadfreight can register as a transporter. To protect load providers and verify your registration, we do require a Transport Service Licence (TSL) number.
- Load providers can list their loads for free by filling out a simple form. There is no limit on the number of loads that may be posted, and it’s free to post loads.
- Transporters receive email alerts when a load is posted that matches their criteria. They can also browse the load list any time to see what’s available.
- Transporters tender for loads, and the load provider can choose to accept a tender at any time. It is not compulsory to accept any of the tenders and the lowest tender does not “win” automatically.
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How does Loadfinders work?
This is best illustrated by following the life cycle of a load:
Load is posted
Load is available for tenders, and appears on Load List and email alerts to Transporters.
Load has tenders
Load Provider is alerted by email when a load receives tenders.
Tender is accepted
Load Provider chooses any tender and Transporter contact details become available (if there was a “Fixed Price Offer” on the load, any tender at this price is accepted automatically). Load Provider contacts Transporter and makes arrangements. If there is any problem, Load Provider can choose a different tender.
Tender is confirmed
Once arrangements have been made the load is “Confirmed” (if the Load Provider does not click “Confirm”, it will be done automatically once the delivery date passes). Upon confirmation, Loadfinders’ 5% success fee is deducted from the Load Provider’s account.
Delivery
The job goes ahead according to the arrangements made by the parties. If the Transporter has selected a fast payment option (eg. 24 hours), they must supply Loadfinders with the Proof of Delivery (POD) and an invoice before payment is released. Once the job has been completed the Load Provider will be invoiced for the remaining balance, either by the Transporter or Loadfinders depending on which payment option was selected.
Important Points!
- The service is effectively FREE for Load Providers (the 5% success fee is deducted from the tender).
- If a Load Provider cannot make a satisfactory arrangement with any of the Transporters who have tendered, they may apply for a refund of the 5% success fee (at Loadfinders’ discretion).
- The success fee will be the greater of 5% of the tender or 3% of the maximum price.
- Read the section on Account and Payment Options for more detail about fast payment options.
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Managing your loads – the Dashboard
All Loadfinders users have access to their own Dashboard. This consists of:
- Watchlist – A list of the loads you have posted, tendered for or are watching. Next to each load you’ll see its status (“Available”, “Confirmed”, etc) so you can easily see if you are required to take any action.
- To Do List – This page generally applies only to Load Providers, and lets you know when you have any new questions about your loads, and when it’s time to leave feedback for a Transporter.
- Profile – This is where you can view and edit your contact details and other registration information. Transporters will also see their Load History on this page (ie. Feedback).
- Account History – You can see your entire account history with Loadfinders here, in a simple Debit/Credit format. This page is also used to top up your account.
- Customise – Here users can turn email alerts on or off. Load Providers can also create lists of custom requirements and contact people. These will be available next time they use the Post a Load form.
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Account and Payment Options
In most cases there is a flat 5% success fee:
As described above in “How it works” Loadfinders takes a 5% success fee when a tender is accepted. This is deducted from the amount of the confirmed tender. This deduction is made from the Load Provider’s account, but is effectively borne by the transporter as they may only bill for the remaining 95%.
... but sometimes Loadfinders offers Fast Payment Options:
Sometimes Loadfinders may choose to offer trusted Load Providers a credit account (Premium Membership). This means that Loadfinders will pay Transporters directly on behalf of the Load Provider. In these cases, Loadfinders offers the Transporter two guaranteed fast-payment options:
- 24 hour payment – in this case we deduct a 5% success fee plus 15% commission
- 20th of following month – in this case we deduct a 5% success fee plus 2.5% commission
All fast payment options require a faxed POD with the Load Number from the transporter to Loadfinders before payment is made.
The Loadfinders fax line is (09) 579 5908
This is why some loads have the 24 hours payment symbol (
) and some don’t.
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General FAQ
- Do I need to have internet access to use Loadfinders?
- No. It is a web based service, but we have staff who can manage you loads and tenders over the phone (office hours only).
- What are the costs involved in using Loadfinders?
- There are no joining fees or subscription fees. We charge a 5% success fee which is deducted from a successful tender, so it is effectively a free service for Load Providers. Transporters will receive 95% of their tender amount (and a further 2.5 – 15% less if they choose a fast-payment option).
- Can other users see my contact details?
- No. Contact details are revealed only after a tender is accepted. However, to help Load Providers choose a tender, they can see the Load History of the Transporters that tender on their load. Premium members will also be able to see a Transporter’s description and picture.
- How do I change my details?
- Go to your Profile and click “Edit”.
- Can I leave feedback for another user?
- Load Providers can leave feedback about a Transporter upon completion of the tender process. Transporters can respond to the feedback if they wish.
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FAQs for Transporters
- Can I see who posted the load?
- No.
- Is my tender legally binding?
- Yes, but only after it has been confirmed by communicating with the Load Provider.
- Can I ask questions about a load before tendering?
- Yes, this is done by clicking “Ask a question” on the load detail page.
- Can I withdraw a tender?
- Yes, but if you wish to tender again for the same load, the amount must be less than your earlier tender.
- Can I change my tender price?
- Yes, but it must be lower than the previous price.
- Can other transporters see my tender?
- Not specifically. They see only the amount of the lowest tender.
- If I place a tender, will other users know it’s from me?
- The Load Provider will see your username, but not your contact details. If the Load Provider is a Premium Member, they will be able to see your description and picture.
- What happens if I place a tender and forget/ignore it?
- It will remain current and may be accepted by the Load Provider, who will then contact you. At this point you can decline the job if you wish, but they won’t be impressed!
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FAQs for Load Providers
- When I post a load, will other users know it’s me?
- No.
- Do I have to accept the lowest tender?
- No. You can choose any or none of the tenders you receive. You will be able to see the Load History of the Transporters to help you decide.
- How do I answer questions about a load?
- If you have any questions, you’ll receive an email with a link to the load page where you can answer questions. You’ll also receive a notification in your To Do List.
- Can I withdraw a load?
- Yes, and all tenders will be voided. Note, if the load has one or more tenders on it that are less than or equal to the maximum price entered for that load, a 10% cancellation fee may be applied (at Loadfinders’ discretion).
- Can I relist a load if the delivery date passes and it has no tenders?
- Yes, but you need to post it as a new load (ie. fill out the form again).
- Can I change the details of a load after it’s been posted?
- No. Transporters have made a decision about tendering for your load based on the information you’ve presented. If there is an error, you need to withdraw the load and post it again.
- What happens if I accept a tender but don’t confirm it?
- Whichever tender you accepted last will be automatically confirmed once the delivery date passes. If you are unable to make a satisfactory arrangement with any of the Transporters who tender, you can apply for a refund of the 5% success fee (at Loadfinders’ discretion).
- What is a Premium Member and how do I become one?
- Premium Members are Load Providers who qualify for a monthly credit account. This means Loadfinders will pay Transporters directly on the Load Provider’s behalf. Premium members receive one monthly bill from Loadfinders instead of paying a variety of Transporters. Premium members also get to see more detailed Transporter profiles when comparing tenders.
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