Prime, Inc. - Springfield, Mo.?

Redneck, don't do that lease-purchase thing. You're only askin' for it, man. Rawlco pretty much covered why you shouldn't, and I'd add a company will give its drivers the cherry runs and stick you with the runs that aren't that great. I've heard way too many stories....bad stories.

Also, I've heard many stories about drivers who were doing the lease-operator thing at the old Dick Simon. These are guys who'd had the rug pulled out from under them when they were near the end of their contracts. Yeah, when they could see the light at the end of the tunnel, Simon cut their miles and they went under.

I just wouldn't do this if I were you. They will have you over a huge barrel and can bend you over way too much for my liking. And they may also cut you off at the knees on miles just as you're coming out of turn four heading for the finish line.

 

Yea Tip I know some of the lease purchase deals are crooked...I have done it before thru ATS.
Even with Rawlco's great post this still doesn't explain why it is so bad, because those number's might not be the same for Prime.
They (Prime) won't/can't stick you with anything it is not forced dispatch, as I know what you ment though by cherry runs....Of course all company's hide the best runs they have that's their money makers.

See....I am exactly the oppisite, I have heard stories also more good ones than bad.

Maybe so at Dick Simon......But this ain't about good ole Dick Simon, I know and have heard of many succesful lease's with Prime. Anyway if it did not work out with them......all you have to do is turn the truck back in no fee's and no reports on your credit.

Again this may be true.....but I have not heard this from any Prime Lease operator's. I have searched and can't find very bad thing's at all on the new Prime...
Thanks anyway for your reply but I really have yet to see why it would not work for somebody who does not need to go home....

 

Sounds like we both need to go to a nearby truckstop, Red.

I know back in the mid-90s, OOIDA was all over Prime's behind for some of their O/O and lease-operator practices. I'm sure you know all about that. Maybe they've reformed their ways, though. I wish there was more information out there. I, too, am interested in what Prime is like these days.

 

I have already done this......not exactly at truckstops though. I pulled a tanker for a company we went to the same places Prime did, I have talked to the driver's, and MOST were lease operator's. They had nothing but praise to say about it.
The company guy's were just like any company driver...they would say good and bad in all.
I agree it would most definatly cost more to operate your own truck, and less benefits as a company driver.
BUT you decide what you run and when you run. So if you picked a bad run then it would be your own fault.

I have heard this same question asked alot before on other boards, BUT I have yet to really see a response that tells me it WON'T work for a guy who does not need to come home every week or two or three.
My kids are grown and there is nothing tieing me down as the betterhalf would be with me.

Maybe a ex-Prime leasee will see this and add to it I hope so anyway...

 

Uh, if it is so great why would they be an EX-prime lease driver?

No my numbers were not PRIME specific because I have no interest in PRIME. All of the lease purchase scams are the same though. The only difference is that some charge you $100 MORE per week for the truck than the $600 figure that I quoted. If you want to work for free go right ahead I won't stand in your way. Don't come crying to me when you go bankrupt though.

Like I said. If you want to be an owner operator either buy a truck or lease one from Ryder/Penske for the same amount of money and hire on to any company. If that company doesn't get you the miles/pay you need you can quit there AND be working your same truck at another company later the same day.

Just to give you an idea. C.R.England (not that I recommend them either) is going to start paying their lease purchase drivers up to $1.50 per mile for ALL miles driven. They will also sell you fuel at $1.25 per gallon at their terminals. Compare that to your potential earnings at PRIME. Also most freight if you have your own authority and insurance pays better than $2.00 per mile plus fuel surcharge. Why work for the bottom feeder companies?

 

Not too many drivers get that 1.50 a gallon. If you idle your truck too much you wont get it and will pay full price.

 

The only exception to these lease scams I would have to say, is the company I am with right now. My payments are based on milage, so If I take a week off at the house, no miles were run, and thus no payment is due. I am avaeraging about 1.75 line haul right now with 33 cpm surcharge, but it fluctuates depending on region and freight. I go home when I want, I refuse loads if I want, and I have agents and brokers calling offering loads days before I get done with the load I am currently hauling. I am making about what I was as a company driver after all of the expenses are taken out, and your right that I have to provide my own benifits. But when I am done, the truck and trailer are mine. Not bad for 2 years work and risk, though my lease can be paid off in as long as 4 years. I am busting my butt to pay it off quickly. I could tell you to call, I could tell you to give my name and truck number, I could collect a recruiting bonus. But I am not a recruiter, just a happy flatbed driver for a small company in Montana. I have done the lease purchase with Arrow, good company, but very bad lease program in my opinion.
I drive for/ lease from/ lease to Sammons Trucking, and have never been happier with the people or a company. You can call if you like, but they don't have any idea who basscase-2000 is, like I said I am not a recruiter. Regardless, I wish you all the best of luck who ever and which ever way you decide to go. But get a lawyyer to look at the contracts before you sign anything. And if the company won't let you have an actual copy before you sign, run from them like the black plague itself.

 

Red, if you've done that kind of homework, you're heading in the right direction. I'm not gonna quite tell you to do it, but it sounds like you may be okay. You have the right mindset, if nothing else. Now you just need INFORMATION, which is of course harder to get than that mindset.

I believe a lot of guys fail at this lease operator business because they accept bad or substandard treatment over weeks or months. If you go this path you're thinking of going, don't put up with that garbage. If your miles start to go down hill, jump on somebody's case about it in a minute. Don't let the problem fester for even a few days. Keep an eye on your income as well as your costs and be a thorn in that company's side if they start shorting you.

Good luck.

 

Greetings,

I'm going to Prime Inc. to Flatbed OTR soon!

I'm seeking FACT(S) n Opinions about them... :smt100

Thanks in advance,
Gjustice