mercer transportation

I hate to hear that, all the guys I've been around here will give you the shirt off their back. He was probably just having a tough day I guess.

 

He wasn't rude, just wasn't talking about it.probably pissed off cuz he's in Portland

 

SO whats the bottom line with Mercer?

 

I talked to the trailer people at Mercer. They said they could not guarantee a "new trailer." They did say they were having people bring trailers back all the time. (which will make them used trailers) They said that the final buy out price will change as will the balloon payment on the "used trailers." Which brings me to another point........Why are all the trailers coming back (are O/O leaving or quitting in droves????

The recruiter stated that they had new trailers available for lease.....but when I spoke to the trailer dept at Mercer they painted a different picture. Also, during the lease purchase you are totally responsible for the maint on the trailer. If it was me I would take the trailer to an independent great dame dealer (not associated with Mercer) and have them inspect it thoroughly from stem to stern before I ever considered a lease purchase on one of their used trailers. I am betting they wont allow that.

There is an old saying "dont poop where you eat." Doing a lease purchase at the same company you work for is always a bad idea. I have read horror stories about Mercer sticking it to drivers when they turn the trailers back in.

 

Key statement "we have trailers coming back all the time."

 

Yes...yes.... I asked why they had trailers coming back all the time and I could not get a real answer. I will just ask this question outright. Is Mercer Transportation an O/O Mill just like the regular driver carriers. That they really do not care about people leaving. They just keep the food chain going. Is that true??

 

I've only been here for 9 months so I can't say that at all. What I can say is in the van division things have gone off the rails in the last 3 months for sure. My opinion is a pretty aggressive expansion has watered down the freight and no apparent increase in sales/marketing for vans. So, same freight, probably increased vans by at least a 1/3 and no new freight. Do that math.

 

How are things on the flatbed side?
Those (flatbeds) are the trailers that are coming back.

 

I brought my own trailer. The 6 flatbed guys I went though orientation with (june 2015)all got Brand new great Dane flats. I helped a couple of theme put their racks and equipment in place.


There was not a scratch on the deck, rub rails or anywhere else. The trailers had never been loaded.
Not questioning what you were told .Just telling you what I saw.
Don't know why trailers are coming back.Could be guys never did flatbed came to Mercer and didn't like doing platform work? Maybe they weren't able to adjust to having so much freedom on when to or not to move?

I would see if they would give you a temporary 1 hour password or some how allow you to look at the real loadboard in real time. Don't know if they would but you can ask.

 

Moglar, you are a bit off. They simply told you the truth. I came here in Feb 2011, got a used trailer with 34 payments left. . paid it off and got the title. The new trailers have 60 payments. If one gets turned in after 10 payments to next guy gets it with 50 payments left. They wouldn't have a problem letting you check it out. Its checked out and it goes thrust the inspection just like your tractor. I would love to hear the source of this nightmare stories about trailers. And you are buying the trailer. Why wouldn't you be responsible for maintenance. Solve your fears by buying your own.