The new Private Load Board feature introduces Quote Requests – a streamlined way for your shipper customers to request quotes directly through Blink, and for you to respond with competitive offers.
Accessing Quote Requests
Navigate to the Quotes tab in your header navigation to view all available quote requests. When you first access this page, it may appear empty, but it will populate as shippers submit new requests.
Understanding the Quote Requests List
The Quote Requests page displays essential information to help you evaluate opportunities:
- Route: Pickup and delivery locations (postcode + suburb) with desired timeframes
- Status: Current state of the request (Active, Completed, Cancelled)
- Expires: The quote request closes when the expiry date is passed
- Your Quote: Shows if you've submitted a quote, its amount and its status
- Actions: Options to view details or submit quotes
Viewing Quote Request Details
Click on any quote request to see comprehensive details including:
- Route information: Pickup and delivery locations (postcode + suburb) with timeframes
- Vehicle requirements: Type and quantity of vehicles needed
- Customer details: Shipper information and any special instructions
- Request timeline: Pickup and delivery dates
Submitting Your Quote
- Review the request details thoroughly, including route, vehicle requirements, and timeline
- Enter your timeline if it is different from the one requested
- Enter your pricing for the requested service
- Select the expiry for your quote, you can use the quick links to set pre-defined time frame.
- Add any relevant notes about your service offering (special conditions, terms,...)
- Submit your quote for the shipper's consideration
Your submitted quotes will appear in the "Your Quote" column, allowing you to track which requests you've responded to and monitor their status. You can come back and edit your quote as long as it isn't accepted or rejected by the shipper. You may as well withdraw your quote but you won't be able to re-open it afterwards.
From Quote to Booking
When a shipper accepts your quote, it automatically creates a confirmed booking in Blink that follows your standard workflow. This eliminates the traditional negotiation phase, allowing you to move directly from quote acceptance to job allocation.
Conclusion
The Private Load Board creates a direct connection between you and your shipper customers, streamlining the quoting process and helping you capture more business opportunities efficiently.