Watkins Refrigerated (lease purchase)

I was by the lakeland yard today didnt see any group that looked like orientation

 

I'm doing my own research I wanted in on the leasing program. It's milege pay but I'm telling you don't walk in thinking your driving 3k miles wkly. Don't care what anyone says. I have gotten 500 - 700 runs with 2.5 + day days to deliver. I'm not trying to stop you but try the company side first to understand what I'm talking about.

 

Im on the company side now lol and i know exactly what you mean they give you a decent run but the time to delivery is laughable but most recievers wont take you early so your just stuck taking a leisurely drive across states most of the time but i do trust this company which is why i would like to try the lease

 

Sounds like you have your mind made up. Then please keep us informed. Everyone knows their situation and how much risk they can handle. I will wish you success on your endeavor and I hope you've been crunching your numbers with your company trips. If you have Bob (good guy) realize not all DM's are like him.

 

I was looking into this company for about a month before deciding to put in my application. I put it in 11 days ago, so I called Candice back yesterday and she said there still waiting for employment verification and criminal to come back. Ok so in 30 years I have been with a number of companies but I think Watkins now has the record for the slowest employment process! Today I also applied at ReedTMS, another company I have watched. He said he will have everything back before weeks end which feels normal to me. I really don't get it, I have never been arrested, my past employers are all friends that provide a glowing report, no points, 0 psa, no accidents, no tickets, 30 yrs in the industry, why the heck can't Watkins get moving? I called my recent employer and HR said no one has contacted them! I am feeling my first red flag with the administration of this company and think at this point I'm gonna pass.....

 

Did you apply company? I did and it was a very slow process as well actually had to keep on my recruiter because my last job was saying he same thing no contact had been made. Haven't ran into anything I don't like yet except that they don't run very hard but I get home a lot more so I except the trade off

 

No I applied L/P. I did a L/P from TRL back before Prime bought them, end of lease got the truck for $1.00 buy out but that was when some companies were honest. Before moving to Tampa I sold the truck but it served me well. In 2012 I leased with Wil-Tran and they did a bait and switch on me. They offered a selection of trucks from 2007 and newer so after orientation the only thing they offered was a brand new pete, plastic still on the seats, I knew I could not afford such a truck but when you fly out and stay thru orientation and the options are to fly back home and wait well, I had to try, Lost My Shirt on that deal!!! I would love to find one more honest deal to end my career with and then just sit on the porch! I was hoping Watkins can be that deal but it takes very little to scare me off these days. I think Watkins may have done just that. With my record I can company drive for almost anyone, I would like to get into just one more truck that I will own in a few yrs...

 

I understand and wish you the best of luck the lease guys i talk to dont complain but they all say it was better when it was sunco. Now that watkins brought in the mileage based pay they are making less but i know more than a few who paid off their trucks the trick now is to get a cheap truck that the limited miles will still pay for

 

As an outsider looking in, I would suggest avoiding any mileage leases. Look at roadrunner or eagle and get a new truck with a warranty. The rates posted on page 2 of this thread would make me look elsewhere. The L/P guys I have followed on here only seem profitable on percentage leases with new equipment. Check out itaff's thread about Bruenger. His story spells it out very well. I wish you luck but I think you should definitely skip the mileage leases. Everything I have researched makes them look pretty bad

 

Yeah almost all are bad these days, there are 2 or 3 out there that are fair however you must realize its a business and a startup at that, going home on weekends or buying that new flat screen is just not good business for your business! Anyways I gave up on Watkins and move on to ReedTMS, company driver. Not sure why Watkins feels that an experienced driver is going to sit and wait 3 or 4 weeks for them to get back to you. many drivers I know live week to week