mercer transportation

I also -after stating my situation- agree to everything said by skateboardman and flightline. I will break it down for freightline once I get this settled.

I never go by what the FS is, or the Line, or the tarp pay. I go by gross, it is what it is, however I do break my expenses by cents/mile.

I totally agree that cali is not paying anywhere over 2/mile to get out, my inquisition was to work the board, don't grow frustrated or over confident but keep positive and willing. Then when the opportunity presents jump in.

I was a dispatcher for a few years so I can work the revenue needed and take the risks considerably to achieve my goal.
Now I know 2.XX is cheap considering tarping and OD. Still you'd have to factor in time of the year and location where the load is "taking you out of and where its putting you."

 

Skateboardman you make a strong point. I wanna keep my fixed expenses low because of the learning curve I'd be going through.

 

I'd like to point out that this is the second OD I haul in over 6 months. The first was REALLY a goldmine and was going "to cali"
I remember it like it was yesterday, it was a sunny day in august, i loaded out of kensington, PA headed for redding.. 14x3x9'6" wide @ 2500!! Lbs.. over 3 a mile..

Aside that. Most of my goings-out of cali have been always over $2. I am open to revenue aside what the work implies, I've done those loads of saddles nobody wants to take with like 6 pick ups paying what I have asked for. Yes read that right.

Cali won't give you more revenue if you don't know how to work the board, like I said before, it is about what makes you happy and knowing how to hunt down that opportunity.

 

most guys want to go out and come back, not conducive to what you are doing. I also get loads that way, 4, 5 ,or 6 drops that no one else will take.

 

Most of the loads we have to chose from do not have a great rate. These guys that work the system and are doing very well at this time of the year are a minority. Some learn how to make the system work for them fairly quickly, others never learn. My advice for new contractors. is, don't burden yourself with expenses during this learning curve.

 

Yea after talking it over with my mentor. Who's a regional vp of his company. He told me to buy a cash truck and let it work for me then if for some reason I need to upgrade then do so but for right now bottom line is the key to any business and just like he does everyday he find ways to reduce expenses and increase profit. And being that Cali rates aren't double to what normal rates are he said it's no need to try and add expenses to go there. Thanks to all you guys once again.

 

This post is to clear up my last (maybe) 10 posts. I've been talking as of my operation @ Mercer ignoring the buy new/used or any other, for that I'd spoken my mind on other threads.

The basic requirements for any business are risk and compromise, if lack of confidence is fueled by pessimism then the risk factor becomes too great for any one to come to a compromise.

Of the biggest co-relations of starting in our industry when needing that valuable information is who do you listen to. When do you stop or who else can give you what you want to hear.
you should take into consideration that failing is entirely your doing as much as it is succeeding, no one has a drop of sweat on your hard work.

to Taylormade I wish you luck with your business, it is easy to get lost until you find confidence in yourself and take the bull by the horns.
It is tough buying "any" truck right now in the winter, however in a few months glaciers will melt and routes will be drivable again, then some will go where others can't and so on.
Find what makes you happy, and I'll close with this statement; if you're coming to Mercer, you're already million miles ahead in your business.

 

Well said.

 

that's is correct, lucar. you simply have to do what you can to stack the odds more in your favor. and make the decisions to be successful.

the fact is the guy looking back at us in the mirror has the greatest influence on success or failure. as has been said on this thread many times. you very seldom hear someone say going out of business, or a truck repo was their fault, its always someone else that caused it.

lucar, you are proof that here at mercer one can make it and have success here. I will be here four years in two weeks. I am happy, and when I do have a hiccup, I know the guy in the mirror made the decision to take that load and I tell him to get his head out of his rear and do better the next time.

the best thread to read is" why do some fail at mercer" spyder nails it. I still say his post in that thread should be printed and handed out at orientation

 

I've heard Oakley paid good money I might give them a call. mercer is getting on my nerves again.