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How to bid on a load in-app

  • Updated

In-app bidding is a great way to bid on a load without ever having to contact a broker yourself! 

When you submit a bid on a load, CloudTrucks sends the bid to the load directly on the broker's portal. If they accept your bid, it'll be added to your jobs list.

This article goes into more detail on how instant bidding works. 

In this article: 

Which brokers offer in-app bidding?

Right now, the brokers listed below all offer instant bidding as an option on certain loads. We're working to instant booking to more brokers' loads in the future! 

  • Convoy
  • JB Hunt
  • RXO
  • CH Robinson
  • UberFreight 

Auto-Bid loads in app 

What is auto-bidding and how does it work?

When you auto-bid on a load, you submit a bid directly to the broker's automated portal. Within 15 mins you'll know if your bid was accepted, rejected, or countered. By removing the "human" negotiation interaction through auto-bidding you stay in control of the amount of money you're offering and you don't have to spend time waiting to hear back from a broker. 

Is there any time CT Ops will step in? 

While CT Ops will not step in to negotiate the bid for you, there are certain situations in which Ops might step in. For example, the broker may call Ops to let them know special equipment is required for this load, such as straps. In that case, Ops will reach out to you to make sure you have the right equipment necessary. Similarly, you may still call Ops to confirm other load-related details, like weight, etc.

However, Ops will not step to help you negotiate. Auto-bidding is designed to make the bidding process as seamless as possible and allow you to bid your desired rate, no questions asked. 

How to know if you can auto-bid on a load

If auto-bidding is an option, you'll see an 'Auto-Bid' button on the load details page when you're going to book. 

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How to submit an auto-bid

To submit an auto-bid please follow these steps: 

1. Tap the auto-bid button from the bottom of the load details page

2. Use the slider to select the bidding range you'd like to submit, including the lowest RPM you'd be willing to haul this load for. We will not show this lowest amount to the broker, but we'll use it if we need to negotiate. 

3. Assign a driver and truck, and confirm. 

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How to check in on your auto-bid

Once you submit your bid it'll move to the 'Negotiating' tab of your jobs list. When you tap into that load, you'll see a banner at the top that shows you how much you bid with a link to see bid details. If you tap on that link, you'll be able to get a status update on the bid as well as cancel the bid. 

To see the most up to date status of your auto-bid please always check the 'Negotiating' tab of your jobs list. 

How you'll know if the broker countered your auto-bid

You'll know if the broker countered your bid when you check on the bid in-app and it shows 'Your Counter'

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How CloudTrucks submits counter offers for auto-bidding

When a broker submits a counter offer that is outside of your bid range, CloudTrucks will automatically counter back with a bid within your bid range. The number we offer will be algorithmically generated and we will go back and forth with the broker 2 to 3 times until an agreeable rate is decided or ultimately if the bid is rejected.  

How you'll know if a broker has accepted your auto-bid

When a broker has accepted your bid, it'll automatically be added as a job to your jobs list and we'll send you a push notification as well. Also, you'll see 'Bid Won' on the job details page. 

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Soon we will also send you a push notification confirming that your auto-bid was accepted and has been added to your jobs list as a job. 

Can you submit multiple auto-bids at the same time? 

Yes you can. However, if you're auto-bidding on multiple loads that pick up around the same time, then we will accept the first ratecon that comes in as your assigned load and cancel the other bids. 

How to know if an auto-bid has been canceled by the broker

We'll update you if your auto-bid has been canceled on the bid details page. Make sure to always check the Negotiating tab for the latest status updates.

Some cancelation reasons include the broker hasn't responded, we weren't able to get a counter offer within your bid range, or the load is no longer available. 

Please note it may take up to 24 hours from the moment a bid was canceled by the broker to disappear from the Negotiating tab in your jobs list. 

Why do my auto-bids keep immediately canceling?

If your auto-bids are immediately canceling, it may be due to settings or restrictions on the broker’s end. Some brokers have systems that automatically block future bid attempts after one rejection, or there may be technical issues affecting bid processing. This has occurred more frequently with CH Robinson loads, so if you experience this, we recommend trying auto-bidding with other brokers.

When can you cancel an auto-bid that you already submitted? 

You can cancel an auto-bid that you have submitted in-app as long as it's still under negotiation and available in the 'Negotiating' tab on your jobs list. 

Once an offer has been accepted and your auto-bid has been turned into a job, you'll have to follow the steps in-app to request a cancelation. 

How to cancel an auto-bid that has been submitted and is still under negotiation? 

  1. Go to the 'Negotiating' tab on your jobs list
  2. Tap on the load you bid on that you'd like to cancel and hit 'Bid details' at the top of the load details page
  3. Tap 'Cancel bid' at the bottom of the page and confirm that you'd like to cancel that bid

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If you have any questions, please contact support@cloudtrucks.com.

 

 

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