mercer transportation

Earlybird
there is another option. Rather than taking what you don't want, or going home, you could talk to Mercer and have them put you in touch with a contractor that is looking for a driver. Just be honest, tell Mercer how you want to run. Some of the contractors would want to run you like a company driver, telling you when and where to go, or have your truck run by a coordinator. Other contractors will simply say, here is a truck run it like it is yours. You pick your loads. Also, different contractors have different pay scales. Some pay only on the line haul rate, while others pay on gross to the truck minus fuel surcharge, etcetera.

This would give you a chance to learn the Mercer system, and freight lanes at someone else's expense. It would also allow you to make the switch to lease purchase at a more appropriate time, when freight is higher. Why experience all of your startup expense in the winter of an election year?

I realize this would probably mean giving up the "dream" of going with quality. But, let's be honest, there is a reason that Mercer has suspended participation in that. You can spend your time looking for a more success oriented lp program.

Just a thought

 

From what I hear it's just over 700 a week, and the buyout is up to 65k. It's almost funny how many if the quality guys I have met that don't even know what the payment or the buyout is. Razor is the single successful quality guy I know. I'd love to be able to say in a few months that early bird is the second.

 

So $236,000 for a truck. That's basically 15% interest. Ouch!!!

 

As far as the International goes, as long as it doesn't have an International engine, it should be okay. I used to drive a company owned International with a max force. That truck got to the point that I was at a dealer about every week. But, I learned that their dealerships are much better than average to deal with.

TWO different Freightliner dealers in Texas wanted me to sit one for five days, the next for six days before they could replace the batteries. It was a brand new truck. Shortly after that I had the Chace to switch to a new international. It did great and I drove that until I left that company.

 

For a stripped down fleet specced truck that doesn't even have a sliding fifth wheel

 

That's what it was with valve and1 extra part. Also had a company discount. 2yr. 200,000 mile warranty. I thought it was high as well. But everything on a 6NZ is

 

I think it's actually slightly above 29% interest & that's if the truck is $155,000 to start (more if it isn't). I did $155,000 - $65,000 (buy out) leaves $90,000 financed. In order for them to not pay any interest on the buy out, they will need to put a additional $1,083.33 away per month. That's a truck payment of $3,943.33 a month to avoid paying even more in interest when it comes to the buy out time on a 2016 truck.

 

Totally off topic :
Bring my truck in on Friday night of last week to my local freightliner ....fast forward up to today...truck went from being completed no later than Saturday around noon til me speaking to a service clerk today an they are now magically swamped with trucks an they are gonna try an squeeze mine in on the night shift crew...if not they will have a guy jump on it Tomorrow!....smh...freakin $38 dollar part at that!!!!!

 

Is it something you feel comfy changing? If so ask for the part and change it. Even if it's under warranty, some shops will let you take the part free of charge, worth asking..

 

When you leaving Louisville? I may come up Friday if I can't find anything outta Memphis between now and Thursday when I deliver. I knew it was slow and I've essentially been home since thanksgiving but dang. Memphis is usually a hit for me, I wanted to do some trucking until Valentine's Day but I may go back to the house.