Prepare an Offer
Turn a load you're interested in into a clear, professional offer that is ready to send to the broker.
Once you've found a load that fits your vehicle, location, timing, and operating plan, CargoVans gives you a simple way to prepare an offer for the broker. The Prepare Offer workflow collects the information needed to build the offer and prepares an email that you can review before sending.
Start From the Load Information Page
After reviewing a load, select Prepare Offer from the Load Information page. This opens the offer form where you can enter the information needed to prepare your offer.
Review the Load
Make sure the opportunity is worth pursuing before you prepare an offer.
Open the Load
From the Loadboard, select View on a load that looks suitable for your operation.
Review the Complete Details
Check the pickup and delivery locations, timing, distance, weight, dimensions, vehicle requirements, rate information, and other available shipment details.
Prepare Your Offer
Enter the information the broker needs to evaluate your offer.
Enter Your Price
Enter the amount you are offering for transporting the load.
Enter the Trip Details
Provide the distance from pickup, expected transit time, and shipment dimensions.
Review Your Carrier Information
Your MC number, email address, and phone number may already be populated from your carrier profile. Review these details and edit them if necessary.
Prepare the Email
CargoVans turns the information you entered into an email ready for you to review.
Select Prepare Email
Select Prepare Email after reviewing the offer information. CargoVans creates the offer and opens your email client with the message prepared.
Review the Message
Your email client opens with the offer ready for review. Check the information and make any final changes you want before sending it.
Send the Offer
When everything looks correct, send the email directly to the broker.
Information You'll Enter
Price
The amount you are offering to transport the load.
Distance From Pick Up
The distance you need to travel from your current location or starting point to reach the pickup.
Transit Time
Your expected transit time for completing the loaded trip.
Dimensions
The dimensions of the shipment as required by the offer form.
MC Number
Your carrier MC information. This may be populated from your profile.
The email address the broker can use to communicate with you.
Phone
Your contact phone number for the broker.
Review your information before preparing the email
What Happens When You Select Prepare Email?
CargoVans prepares the offer using the information you entered and opens your email client with the message ready for review. This lets you keep control of the final communication with the broker instead of automatically sending an offer without your review.
- 1CargoVans creates the offer using the information you provided.
- 2Your email client opens with the prepared message.
- 3Review the recipient and offer details.
- 4Make any final changes you need.
- 5Send the email to the broker.
Always review the email yourself
Preparing an Offer Does Not Book the Load
This is an important distinction. Selecting Prepare Offer does not mean the load has been accepted or booked. It starts the process of communicating your offer to the broker.
CargoVans
- Shows available freight
- Provides load information
- Lets you prepare an offer
- Creates the prepared offer
- Opens your email client
You & the Broker
- Review the offer
- Discuss the load
- Negotiate the rate if necessary
- Confirm availability
- Agree on the final terms
Do not head to pickup based on an offer alone
A Good Offer Starts Before the Offer Form
The Prepare Offer form should be the final step of your load evaluation, not the first. Before opening it, make sure you've already reviewed the complete load and decided that the opportunity fits your operation.
Before You Send
- 1Confirm the price you entered.
- 2Confirm the distance and transit time.
- 3Check the shipment dimensions.
- 4Verify your MC number.
- 5Verify your email address and phone number.
- 6Review the prepared email.
- 7Make any final corrections.
- 8Send the offer to the broker.
Keep it clear and professional
What Comes Next?
Once your offer has been sent, the conversation moves to the broker. The next section explains how to communicate effectively, handle questions and counteroffers, and keep the conversation focused on getting the load confirmed.