New Truckers Wife - freaking out!

Yes, but what if Stevens terminates your lease tomorrow? You lose everything you've invested, period. I was an independent recruiter(including l/p programs) and I know what I'm talking about, no rhetoric here. Lease/purchases give you LESS flexibility than a company driver, but deep down you know that already. Those payments keep coming on home time, don't they!!!

 

Ma'am, please don't encourage the thought to buy a truck until your husband has spent some time in this career first. Starting as a company driver is the only way to go as a new driver. There is much for him to learn about the profession first, and that simply takes time.

You likely aren't even thinking in that direction (I hope) but since the lease purchase was brought up, someone needs to tell you the truth up front! Although I have never done a lease purchase myself, I know enough about them to know that a new driver absolutely does not need to look into that in the beginning of their driving career unless you want to make certain that career is unpleasant and short.

Having said that, after he has some time and experience under his belt, it may very well be a route he wants to look into. I believe there are better ways than a lease purchase program, but that's just my personal opinion.

Best of luck to you and your husband!

 

I would lose all that I invested, but my return on investment is so much that it would be more of a loss for me to not get the income that I do. Me leasing a truck is me leasing a tool that allows me to succeed more than I would have otherwise. Businesses lease their equipment, buildings, vehicles, etc all of the time...does that make it a bad decision for them? Is Walgreen's making a bad decision because they lease all of their stores? I am my own business.

I am not employed by Steven's, and therefore it does give me more flexibility. Unlike company drivers, I am not forced dispatched. I can choose my own routing, fuel stops, and when and where I want to take time off...unlike company drivers. I still have to follow all of the rules of the company, but that is no different than an o/o.

The payments still come in when I'm on time off...sure. The electric bill still comes in when I'm on vacation. Bills are still due. Life doesn't stop. That is no different than if I was financing the truck. That's why you budget, and set money aside so that you don't go into the red when you go home. As a former independent recruiter, I'm surprised that you don't know that stuff.

A lease is definitely not for everybody. More people fail at leases than succeed, but that is no different than the trucking industry as a whole. My deal is to let people do what they feel is in their best interest instead of what a bunch of strangers tells them to do.

 

I am sure you are doing fine ,but the advice of working for the company till you know them and the way they work is wise advice ! And once He/She have that wisdom , and feel its the correct move for them yes , go for it . In that learning curve use your miles and the o/o pay rate and use your real life weeks and calulate the expenses and see how you do on paper !Before signing ! Just because some can eat glass does not mean everyone can . (please do your homework) (and I have done it and made it work)