What's your bid ?

2 van shipments per day, customer requested night-time deliveries. 1rst shipment 40k lbs, shows 75 miles one-way on Google from one medium sized city to another. Second load origin was small town part of the way back to first origin, and deliver to same place. 15k lbs, 57 miles one-way.

I worked on bidding this load and was told my bid was too high, just wanted to check what others thought or if I overlooked something. I explained to them it wasn't practical to do backhauls on these loads, expecially with them being at night. But I could run them back to back like clockwork and give them excellent service that way.

I figure the google miles may be off 10 or 20 miles depending on actual physical location, so all in all it would be a 280-300 mile run, 2 picks, 2 drops, 1/2 deadhead.

What would you bid ?

p.s.- I can't reveal too many details, because I still think there is a chance they could fail to cover these loads cheap and be calling me.

 

yes, I tried to explain that loading and unloading time was a big factor. Not only in my expense, but in being able to hit appointment times. My goal was to be walking through the door on the dot every time. (I know this would mean a lot to the people who actually have to load and unload my truck, but in hindsight may be no big deal to the people paying me). I told them I would consider arranging drop trailers or whatever I had to do to make that happen.

I was figuring about 11 hours, 7 driving and 4 stops @ 1 hour per. But it could easily turn into 12-16 depending on them.

 

thanks, it was interstate mostly, but I still think you would have a hard time averaging 60 mph with time spent getting on and off interstate on these short moves. I was figuring 2 hours driving on the 75 mile run and 1.5 hours driving on the 57 mile run. Which could easily be actual 85 mile and 70 mile. So that would be 7hrs.

FYI - I started at $600 for the first run and $500 for the second run, then I conceded to $550 and $450 but told them I needed $50/hr detention if I had to wait more than 2 hrs and a drop trailer wasn't an option. Yes, I would make pretty good money at the rate since I am the driver. But I felt that if I had to hire a driver and pay work comp, payroll tax, and a decent wage it was a reasonable bid. I can't see going much lower unless I had just the perfect backhaul. And with backhauls is would likely take two trucks to do this as well as depending on the other shipper and reciever to not screw up. I thought it was a fair bid and it sounds like I was in line with what you guys are saying so I feel a little more confident about it now. And no, it was nowhere near my home, it would have been my new home I guess, lol.