New to this....

I've been a company driver (on and off) for about 3 yrs now and just recently got hired on at Hirschbach as Lease Operator a few weeks ago. I wanted to give this a shot and see where it takes me on my path to eventual ownership.

My questions/concerns are about the pros/cons of being a lease operator with this company specifically or being a lease operator in general. Does anyone have helpful tips or ideas on how to be successful AND happy doing something that you like to do?

 

Until you have $100K cash in the bank you are broke.

Hopefully you can follow the money around. If you want or need a set or predictable routine, you're probably not going to get the most money, at least starting out.

Save every penny. Baby your truck.

 

Your better off going to a stealership rather than leasing a truck. Because chances are you'll never own it. Ide never rent a truck from a carrier that controls my revenue.

 

I'll do my best and thanks!

 

Are you a company driver?

 

I did lease for six years and it all most bankrupt me last year. I'm a local company driver now and making close to what I was as a lease operator after everything was taken out. I have a thread on here covering my experience and giving my p&l statements. My tips would be pay yourself as little as possible and leave the rest in your business. Keep your costs as low as possible. When it comes to maintenance stick to the manufacturer recommended intervals. Keep a small tool kit on the truck for you to do what your comfortable with for repairs. Above all watch your money. Set a realistic low number for a "if my account balance gets here I'm done" I wish I would have done that. It would have saved me about 23k. Good luck.

 

NO going for my CDL. after hearing all of the lease stories it's always in the favor of the carrier and not the driver. your better off going through a dealer if things don't work out then you can take your shiny toy and move on..

 

It's a business. Operate as a business. You really need to squeeze the penny.

Starting with a brand new truck is a big commitment. It's a big expense.

 

Leasing from the hand that feeds you is extremely volatile and a risk. Its basically borrowing money from the person you owe it to. They decide when you win and most times you don't its setup gor only them to win.

 

iv'e always said buy a cheap but decent used truck though have it gone over by a mech.