So you want to "own " your own company

I wasn't talking about the answer I gave, I was saying that after reading the two threads I referred to, saw their trials, and wanted to continue, you were either a very determined person or do not comprehend very well.

I'm sorry it read wrong and no insult was meant. It was late and I didn't explain myself very well. The trials of PharmPhil and MediceneMan will make someone have second thoughts, and after reading them, someone whould have to have a lot of self confidence and determination to continue forward.

Your post was articulate and well put together. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders. The not comprehending part was more of a bad joke that sounded good at home, but looked and read bad on here. I'm sorry for posting that way.

Right now it seems that quite a few of the O/Os here are having a lot of mechanical and financial problems. Just like the big companies are having a lot of financial problems.

Freight prices are way too low, and freight too slow for hardly anyone to make it. There are always a few who do well no matter what. I knew a man like that. Everyone could be starving, and he knew how to get steady freight that paid over twice what everyone else was making.

 

No problem. I will look at their posts. It was only a thought on my part. I think things will really have to turn around in the economy for me to even consider becoming an O/O. Unfortunately, I don't see that happening anytime soon.

 

So.....would you be able to get MC numbers with the non-owned truck insurance?

 

Yes you can.

 

" i have called close to 60 shippers, and all of them already use the major carriers for their needs, and have no place for a single truck operation. I cant recruit more drivers until I have a customer that needs it. "

Ok sounds familiar.. If you've called 60 and that hasn't worked call 100. Make a list of prospective shippers and take notes on what they tell you. Unless you are absolutely positive that there is zero chance that you could EVER do business with them make a note . Not now doesn't mean not ever. Your call list will obviously keep getting bigger. Call them back, be professional and plesant remind them that you called previously and that you were following up to see if anything had changed or if you could now be of assistance to their needs. If no make a note Thank them for their time and do the same thin again in a couple of weeks or so. make it a goal and a part of your regular routine to do the same thing regularly. If you can get an address follow up with a card thanking them for speaking to you and that you hope you can work with them in the future. If your dedicated to this and you keep after this approach it WILL work for you. I have been turned down by many many companies more times than I can count. I also worked for every major oil company you can think of. I was competeing with every global service company in the world and was told no in no uncertain terms more times than I can even remotely remember. i never took no as no forever just no for now. I think I just eventually wore them down LOL. The best advise I can give anybody is remember all of those HUGE companys in those BIG fancy buildings are full of PEOPLE just like you and me. Absolutely no difference at all. They all have a job to do and your job and what you are selling them is making their job EASIER for them so they look good to their boss. Promise that and then deliver it. Most importantly make SURE you can deliver what you promise. Then just do it. Good luck.

 

Yup. Service is the most important, if you deal with the same broker alot and you have proven yourself to them they might try getting you a better rate, all you have to do is ask.. Just explain your situation and if they like your service and you have been reliable and efficient for them they might be willing to do something to keep using you.. Don't make it sound like it's a threat, though just level with the guy and be honest.. Brokers are well aware of the situation now, and there are more than enough out there willing to take care of people who are taking care of them, ofcourse they aren't going to hand you extra money that they can keep just because they can, but if you ask for a slightly better rate they just might give it to you, you never know.

Make your dad some business cards to pass out, spend some money on marketing (ink pens, cards, etc.) pass that stuff out.. You never know when someone will be sitting at their desk one day tapping their ink-pen on the desk and biting their lip trying to figure out who to call to get that hot load shipped for 2 bucks a mile.. oh, look at the number on this here ink pen.. bingo, you got yourself a customer.

Little things can make a world of difference.. You could consider getting a small loan, or just a personal loan from a credit union and you don't even have to tell them what it's for.. You could also find someone (on here maybe?) that has some working capital that they want to invest into something to help you out with a few grand just to keep fuel in the tanks.

Please let us know how that shipping site works out for you if you do chose to use it, inquiring minds are interested!!

 

Having a well designed business card is always a plus. If you have an eyecatching design, people are lesslikely to throw them away and will remember them.

 

Have you googled brokerage companies and then started calling? Here's a few that I got just from skimming over a google search:
Stevens West; Evergreen, CO
Transport Solutions
Professional Transportation Brokers, Inc.; Denver, CO
SR International Logistics; Denver, CO

 

I'm with Mercer too.. Have been there about 4 1/2 years so far. They're a real decent company to work for..

Yes, they pay percentage. I wouldn't have it any other way.. There are times where I'd be crazy to pull milage.. (I've done loads that paid $800 and only gone 20 mi.)

They did have a cleaning house and let a bunch of drivers go.. Mostly guys and gals with issues, like logs, inspections, maintaince, and the like.. But, they're hiring trucks still.. (I heard the rumor about wanting new guys to lease a trailer off of them to hire on.. Not a bad deal if you need a trailer.. I did it this way when I came on board).

I don't know much about the vans.. There arn't many of them.. There are even a few RGN guys.. I just got into RGN's about 1 year ago..

With Mercer you work with a coordinator. He sets preferances in the computer based on a LOT of parameters. You have to develop a decent working relationship w/ your coordinator. Lots of things come into play.. stuff like: what size tarps you have, truck weight, max deadhead, min. rate per mi. you'll accept, ect.. The computer matches loads to your preferances.. NO "good buddy system"!

If ya need more info ask away.. I don't wanna be too long winded here... I'm not going anywhere.. as far as I am concerned I'm staying here # Mercer till I sell my truck & retire..

 

Click this link JCT

It will take ya to the JCT section.