Premium and Price Check Plus customers will soon have access to an estimated time to dispatch in the Central Dispatch Price Check Plus tool. Estimated time to dispatch will automatically be shown along with each pricing recommendation, allowing shippers to have clearer timing expectations and help determine how to price a load. This enhancement also helps carriers reduce idle time, and helps everyone on our platform forge stronger relationships with partners.
Learn more about the estimated time to dispatch in our latest article and user guide. Learn more about our Premium and Price Check Plus add-ons on our plans page.
This edition of Central Dispatch Highlights focuses on our upcoming Price Check Plus time to dispatch and ID verification enhancements.
View Estimated Time to Dispatch with Price Check Plus
Premium and Price Check Plus customers will soon be able to see an estimated time to dispatch for each pricing recommendation. This will help shippers determine where to price a load based on their scheduling needs, and allow carriers to reduce idle time.
Help Keep the Marketplace Safe with ID Verification
All customers will soon be required to complete ID verification in order to utilize Central Dispatch. ID verification will help us enhance security, reduce fraud, and foster more trust across the marketplace.
Price Check Plus just got even better! Premium customers will soon see a “time to dispatch” with each AI-powered pricing recommendation, indicating the estimated time it will take for a vehicle to ship.
This update will help shippers quickly determine where to price a load based on their timing needs, and spend less time re-listing loads at different prices. For carriers, it means having a clearer idea of timing expectations, reducing idle time, and building stronger business relationships. To get the shortest estimated ship times possible, we recommend posting loads in the morning or during the week, rather than in the evening or on weekends.
The update will automatically appear in the current Price Check Plus tool at launch, no extra action is required from you.
For full details on Price Check and Price Check Plus, read our blog post.
This edition of Central Dispatch Highlights focuses on how shippers and carriers can use additional features on the platform to increase efficiency.
Price Check vs. Price Check Plus
Get the details on what’s new and different between our two pricing tools: Price Check and Price Check Plus. See which one best fits your business with a full comparison and feature list.
Take advantage of preferred and blocked functionality
The preferred and blocked functionality helps all Central Dispatch users control who they partner with. Preferred partners will be shown first in search results, while blocked partners will be filtered out.
Shippers: See how one dealer boosted his business with Central Dispatch Premium
Before upgrading to Central Dispatch Premium, Adam Richmond and his team had a solid shipping operation. But now? They have one that supercharges their entire business. Watch the video to see how Premium’s powerful features and personalized support helps Adam ship faster, manage loads more efficiently, and more!
Saved search notifications just got better
Carriers enrolled in notifications will now receive additional notifications when shippers update pricing and delivery details on listings, at no extra charge and without affecting notification limits. That means shippers can secure trucks sooner, and carriers can stay more informed on loads they’re interested in, never missing out on an important update.
We’ve recently received questions from customers about Price Check and Price Check Plus. We want to take this opportunity to clarify the difference between each, and reiterate that the free Price Check tool has NOT been replaced by the paid version, Price Check Plus!
The free Price Check tool is always available and easily accessible for any customer with our Core plan, just hit the “Price Check” button as you’re entering your load information. You can also access it through the Intelligence tab, making it even easier to find and use. The additional capabilities of Price Check Plus are only available to Premium customers, or carriers who’ve paid for the tool as an add-on.
Take a look at the benefits and differences of each version of the Price Check tool to see which one can help your business ship more efficiently and profitably!
| Price Check | Price Check Plus | |
| Price comparison to recent loads similar to yours | ✓ | ✓ |
| View each load’s route, distance, list date, and dispatch status | ✓ | ✓ |
| View each load’s final dispatch price and dispatch date | ✓ | |
| AI-powered pricing recommendations that instantly show the optimum rate | ✓ | |
| Cost | Free | See our plans page for pricing details. |
Both versions of the tool are a great way to speed up your shipping process, and list vehicles with more confidence. So be sure to always use the free Price Check tool anytime you post a load.
Dive into more of the great features and capabilities of Price Check and Price Check Plus!
The all-new Central Dispatch Create Load page allows shippers to post listings on the marketplace, view carrier details, and dispatch vehicles all in a single dashboard. All data is preserved between listing and dispatch tabs, eliminating the need to re-type in information.
And best of all, our new carrier scorecard gives users a streamlined and intuitive way to verify carrier details before selecting them as a partner. Once shippers select a carrier, they will see the carrier scorecard, which includes carrier’s company details, Transactional Ratings, and flags for any missing or expired FMCSA details.
Learn more about the new Create Load experience here.
This edition of Central Dispatch Highlights focuses on both new and existing features to help shippers transport with more control and confidence. Read more below.
Learn more about our new Create Load experience
Our new Create Load page allows shippers to post to the load board or assign directly to a carrier from one central location. We’re also introducing a carrier scorecard to this experience to give shippers a view into a carrier’s company details, Transactional Ratings, and flags for any missing or expired FMCSA details, all without leaving this screen.
Take advantage of preferred and blocked functionality
The preferred and blocked functionality helps all Central Dispatch users control who they partner with. Preferred partners will be shown first in search results, while blocked partners will be filtered out.
Learn what actions do and don’t affect your vehicle counts
Starting on your first billing date after February 14, 2025, Central Dispatch will be aligning with the industry standard vehicle count methodology. That means that each vehicle you post will count towards your tier limit, even if it is part of a multi-vehicle listing or dispatch.
This change will apply to every shipper account and impact your tier limit, no matter what Central Dispatch tier plan you have. As part of this update, we are increasing all tier limits to account for this change. Our updated plans start at $139.95 for 10 vehicles per month, with revised vehicle limits across all tiers. Learn more about our different plan options.
To help all our customers adjust to and get the most out of this new system, we’ll be sending you in-platform notifications if you approach your monthly vehicle tier limit.
And don’t forget to read the lists below to see which in-platform actions will and will not impact your monthly vehicle tier limit.
Vehicles will now be counted toward your tier limit when:
- Added during listing creation
- Added during listing creation from a delivered or archived dispatch
- Relisted from an expired listing
- Relisted with different vehicle(s)
- Added in the listing editor
- Added during conversion from listing to dispatch
- Added during dispatch creation
- Added in the dispatch editor
- Edited vehicle(s) in dispatch editor (if VIN or Year, Make, or Model is changed)
Vehicles will NOT be counted toward your tier limit when:
- Deleted during listing creation
- Edited in listing editor (YMM or VIN)
- Deleted in the listing editor
- Converted from listing to dispatch without adding vehicle(s)
- Edited vehicle(s) in dispatch editor (no changes to VIN or Year, Make, or Model)
- Edited VIN-less vehicle with VIN in dispatch editor
- Deleted in the dispatch editor
- Copy from an unexpired listing to a new listing with the same vehicle(s) after a dispatch was canceled or declined
We want to make this process seamless for you and are committed to continuously improving the platform with new features to help you operate your business efficiently and profitably. Please reach out to us with any questions at 800-928-7869.
Central Dispatch got some major enhancements in 2024, but there’s still more to come
For decades, Central Dispatch has helped customers ship vehicles profitably on the largest auto transportation marketplace. Now we’re helping them ship with even more profitably with the most streamlined marketplace!
From all-new tools to big marketplace updates, you can now execute every step of the transportation process more efficiently than ever, all on one centralized and easy-to-use platform.
New API Integrations create seamless connections to third-party technology providers, so you conduct your business on your preferred software. An enhanced dispatch experience delivers a more streamlined, modern interface capable of managing any number of loads. And our continued commitment to security in features like the FMCSA verification checklist, multi-factor authentication, user management, plus our marketplace integrity team, we’re dedicated to proactively combating fraud and providing tools to help you avoid bad actors, while putting up roadblocks to keep them out of our platform.
New enhancements like these don’t just help you transport vehicles on Central Dispatch faster, easier, and more profitably — they future proof your business, helping you stay flexible as new challenges and changes take place in the industry.
But we’re not stopping there. We’re continuing to listen to your feedback, and using it to deliver even more valuable enhancements in 2025!
Load Board Enhancements: We’ve streamlined the load board to eliminate older listings after 30 days, ensuring “ready to move” loads are prioritized for carriers and helping shippers quickly attract the right carriers.
Vehicle Count Methodology: Each vehicle you post will count toward your tier limit, even if it is part of a multi-vehicle listing or dispatch. This ensures a truly end-to-end process from listing the vehicle, to finding a carrier, to fulfilling the delivery. For more details on how this impacts your account, read the announcement post here.
Real-Time Tracking: Shippers are now able to receive live location and status updates delivered straight to their devices, including GPS location, ETA, eBOL information, and more, as long as carriers are using the Central Dispatch app. This allows shippers to easily stay on top of shipments and streamline communication, while saving carriers time by not needing to provide manual status updates. It’s the best way to strengthen relationships between shippers and carriers, and maximize confidence when transporting vehicles.
Price Check and Price Check Plus: Shippers and carriers can utilize insights using Price Check to ensure a fair price for each individual vehicle. For those looking for more robust pricing insights, Price Check Plus uses AI-driven data to predict the optimal price for your load so you can maximize your profitability. Get access to not only listed prices, dates and dispatched information for previous loads, but final pricing and date dispatched details to make more informed decisions, all powered by our Market Intelligence transportation data. Learn more about Price Check and Price Check Plus here.
Central Dispatch Premium: Ship with more power and profit than ever before! Central Dispatch Premium gives you all the same features as a core plan, plus best-in-class transportation tools and unmatched professional support. Maximize vehicles’ profitability with Price Check Plus. Streamline your process with a suite of APIs. Coming soon, dispatch directly to your preferred partners with Preferred Carrier offers. And uncover new opportunities to drive efficiency and profit with Performance Management. Learn more about Central Dispatch Premium and all of our plan options!
And, don’t miss the updates we’re rolling out in 2025:
Enhanced Transactional Ratings: You can now choose when your review is published, giving you the confidence to share your experience. Selecting “Publish Later” means your review will only be publicly posted after your partner has also submitted their rating, or the 14-day review window passes, making it easier to provide honest feedback, and helping foster more transparent partnerships.
Coming soon: Payment Facilitation: Handle all payments and transactions without having to leave the Central Dispatch platform.
