How to Read a Rate Confirmation Like a Dispatcher

The rate confirmation (rate con) is the load’s contract. Signing it without reading is how drivers get burned. Here’s what dispatchers check line by line.

The 8-point check

1. Rate and currency — the all-in number. Confirm it matches what was quoted verbally.
2. Pickup/delivery addresses and times — exact facilities, appointment vs. first-come, and any “must arrive by” language.
3. Mileage — loaded miles vs. what you’ll actually run. A 900-mile rate on 1,050 real miles is a pay cut.
4. Detention terms — free time (usually 2 hours) and the hourly rate after. If it’s blank, assume you’ll fight for it later.
5. Lumper and accessorials — who’s paying for loading/unloading, and how to get reimbursed.
6. Cancellation and TONU — truck-ordered-not-used terms if the load cancels after you’ve committed.
7. Broker contact info — a real name and 24/7 number, not just a generic dispatch line.
8. Special instructions — seal requirements, tarping, team-service notes, hazmat placards.

Red flags that should stop you

• Rate “TBD” or “to be confirmed” — never move a truck on a promise
• Vague detention language or “shipper policy applies”
• Pickup numbers that don’t match the posted load
• A broker who rushes you to sign without answering questions

Why dispatchers earn their fee here

A dispatcher reads hundreds of rate cons a year. They know which brokers honor detention, which facilities run late, and which fine print costs money. At Data GB, our dispatchers negotiate the rate, verify the con, and handle the paperwork — you just drive.