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Knocking on Warehouse Doors: The Old School Hustle That Still Works

Hit The Pavement, Knock On Doors And Turn Handshakes Into Hauls—Your Next Shipper Might Be Just A Conversation Away.

Listen Mode: Knocking on Warehouse Doors: The Old School Hustle That Still Works
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Ever thought about knocking on warehouse doors to grow your trucking business but felt unsure where to start? You’re not alone—it can be intimidating.

But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to be.

Truckpedia recently hit the pavement and knocked on warehouse doors just to see what would happen. Spoiler alert: nobody threw us out, and a few were down to talk business. 🤝

Watch the full vlog down below to steal some of Justin’s best ice-breakers—because sometimes, all it takes is the right opener to turn a stranger into a shipper.

We Knocked. Here’s What Happened.

We fired up Truckpedia’s Lead Finder, mapped out a cluster of local warehouses, and hit the road. No cold calls. No waiting. Just boots on the ground, one knock at a time.

First stop? A polite “my boss isn’t here,” but no hard shutdown. We took a card to email later and kept it moving.

Second stop? Progress. The warehouse team was friendly and even emailed their logistics manager while we were standing there. Minutes later, we got invited to quote on two flatbed lanes. Real interest, real opportunity.

Third stop? Goldmine. The warehouse manager had been doing this for 23 years and said it straight:



“I’m a go-getter. Give me a good rate,
make it easy for me, and I’ll work with you.”

4 Surprising Things We Learned Knocking on Warehouse Doors

Turns out, finding new shippers doesn’t require a magic formula—just a little courage and a solid game plan. Here’s what stood out after a few knocks and real conversations.

  • People are nicer than you think. They get it—you’re trying to hustle, just like them.

  • Be the neighbor. Mention you're local. It breaks the ice.

  • Ask questions. “Who do you currently work with?” goes a long way.

  • Don’t overthink it. Just knock. Worst-case? You get a “not right now.” Best-case? You score a new shipper.

Just like Justin said:



“Don’t be afraid. Just go knock on doors, introduce yourself, and try to make some friends.”

Why Knocking Actually Works

Brokers take their cut—sometimes 10–15%. If you’re a carrier who can offer competitive rates and make things smooth for the shipper, you can win that business directly.

It’s not just about rates either. It’s about being reliable, easy to work with, and having a process that’s not a headache. Some warehouses are even looking for platforms (👋) to make things easier.

We knocked on 3 warehouses. Got 0 rejections. Walked away with real convos, contacts, and even lane opportunities.

Moral of the story? Get out there. Knock on doors. Show up. You don’t need a magic sales script. Just be real, be local, and be ready to help.

Your next shipper might be right down the street—literally.

Check out the full vlog to steal more tips!

 

 

Wanna check out the tool Justin used to map out those warehouses?
Schedule a demo and see Truckpedia Lead Finder in action. It’s like having a shipper radar for your trucking business.

 

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