What happens when I set a target rate? Instant Responses, explained

With Instant Responses on, Cargado answers carrier bids for you automatically, using one number you set: your target rate, the highest bid you'll accept right away. Carriers never see that number. They see a Book Now rate a little below it.

Step 1: Turn it on and enter your target rate

When you post, check Enable Instant Responses. In What is the HIGHEST bid you'll accept immediately?, enter your target rate.

The Market Rate card right under the field shows the low, mid and high rate for the lane when there is enough data for it. Check your number against it before you post.

As soon as you type the number, the form sums up what happens to each range of bids on this posting: the Listed Book Now rate, the bids that will be accepted instantly, the bids that will be countered or sent to you, and the amount at which bids start being rejected. Read those lines before you post. Some bids can still come to you for a decision even when the summary says otherwise.

Step 2: Know what carriers see

• Carriers see the Book Now rate, which sits about 92 to 93 percent of your target, rounded down. On a Load or Lane, a carrier who takes it books the freight on the spot. On a Potential Load or Potential Lane, taking it gives you that carrier's rate to quote your customer; nothing is booked yet.
• A carrier who wants more bids above Book Now. A bid at or below Book Now is blocked, and the carrier is asked to book instead.
• Your target and your reject amount stay hidden from carriers. A carrier sees your counter only when it receives one.

Step 3: Know what happens to each bid

• At or below your target: accepted automatically, the same as if you had accepted it yourself.
• Somewhat above your target: either Cargado sends the carrier an automatic counter, a set rate below your target that is the same for every carrier on the posting, or the bid comes to you to decide.
• Far above your target: turned down automatically, or sent to you to decide.

You hear about an automatic counter only once the carrier accepts it, turns it down or bids again.

Important: Each carrier gets one automatic counter per posting. After that, its next bids come to you, even one at or under your target. Only a bid far above your target can still be turned down for you. Answer those bids the same day. See Why does my posting say Respond?

A carrier whose bid was turned down is still in your chat list. You can message them.

Step 4: Change it while the posting is live

You do not have to take the posting down. Open the posting, go to the Posting tab, and choose Edit next to Bidding Details. In Update Posting, change your target rate or turn Instant Responses on or off, then choose Update.

The new rules apply to new bids. Bids already waiting for you stay with you.

Bidding Details shows the current numbers: Book Now, Max Accept (your target) and Reject Above. The same three appear above the bids on the Coverage tab.

When to turn it off

If you have no agreed price yet, uncheck Enable Instant Responses. The posting goes up as Bid Only: carriers get no automatic answers, and every bid waits for you. For how to set the number when you do have one, see Price it first and Post it right.