There are some bonuses to Leasing with Swift rather then jumping into the O/O job.
1: What if he can't do the job? Let's be honest you are running a business whether you Lease or Own, and if you buy your own truck and find out that handling the business side of things is beyond your abilities, You own the truck- you own it. Selling it or re selling it can be harder then just turning back in a Swift lease truck if you figure out being a O/O isn't for you. Yes giving back a lease isn't easy but it may be easier then owning a truck you don't want anymore with a $70k loan on your credit.
2: Speaking of credit a Swift lease isn't on your credit. Yeah if your credit is bad jumping into a lease contract is a bad idea any new credit would be. But if you don't want it to affect your credit, buying a house a new car with a truck lease can complicate things. Leasing with Swift is better then buying your own truck.
3: You can eventually buy your own truck. Keep your ducks in a row and lease with Swift keep that maintance account up learn the biz and when the lease is over, then buy that truck of your own with the money you have saved or buy the truck you have been leasing. Nothing is stopping you.
4: The man knows better flatbed companies to lease with if you like to do it, maybe he'll chime in, but I'd flatbed first then lease because then you'll know lease a flatbed truck or lease a van truck as they are not the same.
5: I still think this is a good idea some may disagree... but if you know a successful L/O or O/O you can go out with for a week go out with them. See how they run their truck, how they run their business how it is different then just being a company driver do it! L/O or O/O is more then a spreadsheet of how much they make or how much more flexiable their time is. Its why they run a load why they don't run a load other options like Command to get loads how and why they fuel, choose routes, how they pay for things from cracked windshields and tires, it goes on and on.
My husband went the L/O route at 6 months and has been successful at it. Even with all the nay sayers. I like not being so finacially responsible because even now OTR isn't our 5 year goal, and at 24 you don't know how or if your life will change and if OTR is what you may want. I am pro lease because it is working for us. I am anti Own because it is a big purchase with huge ramifications if you fail.
Can I get a bit of advice?
Discussion in 'Swift' started by Rick)Rox, Jan 14, 2014.
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SteveH85396, Arkansas Frost, inkeper and 1 other person Thank this.
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like previous poster stated talk to a l/p operator and see how they are doing. Talk to some at Swift and other companies as well. I would talk to more than one person and find out the advantages and disadvantages and then sort it all out and see if it is a fit for you. I would make a list of questions that way you can go back and compare their answers.
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I'll never get tired of all the good advice, differing view points, and helpful people on this site. To the OP, definitely find a solid address to call home but move your stuff into storage. I did but I have my house being taken care of and I stay with my fiancée when I'm in town. Live minimal on your truck. Find ways to get your personal expenses as close to zero as you can and get rid of any ridiculous debt you have before you lease or buy. Study and save in the meantime. Get your year or two experience, do as much research as you can and decide which way you want to go for you. Best of luck!
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While I'm doing well as a Swift dry van O/O I don't think Swift is a good choice for flatbed O/O. Check out Sammons trucking of Missoula, MT. 100% O/O company and if you do a lease purchase through them you will OWN the truck outright at the end of the lease. I was planning to go with Sammons after 2 years as a Swift company flatbedder had my shoulder not started giving me problems. I'm sure that there are other good flatbed companies to lease with.WitchyWomen Thanks this. -
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And just because the "so called" mechanics that work for Swift cannot work on the newer trucks doesn't mean that they are junk. My 12 Cascadia has been 100% reliable. Part of the reason is I take care of it and Swift is not allowed to work on it.Arkansas Frost Thanks this. -
The companies with age requirements usually also lease new trucks themselves. Funny how that works. Companies like landstar and mercer do not have an age requirement. And while you have had good luck with your truck, that is an anecdote. Egr and especially dpf trucks have more problems on average, are harder to troubleshoot, more expensive to fix, and get worse mpg all else being equal. Where is bisqueek right now? Sitting with DPF issue. Starting your o/o career with an emissions truck is risky and I wouldn't do it.
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I have 3 trucks 1 with Swift Flatbed and 2 with Mercer. A Swift lease truck is one of the worse lease agreements in the industry. However, with that said
If you really want to get a feel for it. Ask a Swift lease agent to search for a short term lease truck. Swift has many lease operators that don't make and give up the truck. I did one with 12 months left on the lease and obviously I did OK. DONT DO A NEW TRUCK WITH SWIFT YOU WILL BE SORRY.
But follow the advice above. That's solid.
Feel free to PM me if you want to pick my brain. -
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