Rates are crashing and fuel to the moon!

She is very busy as always. Good to have someone do all the hard work.

 

This is what I’m trying to say. They truck does not only support itself, but the owner, driver, the business itself, admin costs (if you have any) and, eventually, the truck’s replacement in a few years (or the money for future repairs if keeping the truck long term). Anyone operating under the costs it takes to fund that are only cheating themselves.

You hit the nail on the head.

 

Bob, you’ve yet to answer a yes or no question. Like when a judge asks “Do you plead guilty or not guilty?” Anything outside of the two answers offered is obfuscation. Or contempt of court, in relation to the judge.

The only reading comprehension in question is yours.

 

I didn't realize I was on trial.

I have answered your questions several times.

You're embarrassing yourself.

The OM thinks you may have some latent issues.

 

I wouldn’t expect anything that makes sense to make sense in this thread.

 

You’ve yet to give a yes or no, Bob. Those are the small words you said you’d need to step to for me to understand. Yet you continue not to. What gives, Bob?

Man fails to answer a yes or no question on multiple occasions and wants to preach about embarrassment.

 

I put him on ignore. I'm going back to my dark place now.

 

I'm not in the trucking business. I was from 1986 through 1994, the last half with my own authority. I got out of trucking because I was about to lose my family.

Currently I own a business that needs trucks, but our revenue is derived by bidding on earthmoving projects, and specifically stream channel restoration. It is a niche that was developed out of necessity shortly after starting business in 2008; my crystal ball was a little foggy to say the least.

All the talk lately about business practices, factoring, cpm, etc. and how tough trucking is maybe ought to be put into perspective. We typically work on a project for at least two weeks before our first invoice goes out, and we typically have to wait 30 days before that first invoice is paid. We have $100k on the books in receivables on average. Our payroll runs about $8K per week. My off road fuel bill is currently running $5K per week. My insurance runs $3K per month. The cost of money is real, and we get stretched to the limit frequently. We are also experiencing growing pains, which are expensive. We are signing papers on a new excavator next week. $349K for the hoe and another $68K for GPS equipment for it.

It is all relative, but anyone that thinks trucking is any more difficult than any other business is kidding themselves.

For any small business to survive, one must provide a level of service above the industry standard. @Midwest Trucker must have figured this out as well as @Dave_in_AZ , @Accidental Trucker , @wore out , @Catmando , @Rontonio , @stwik , and so many others. I should not have started naming folks because there are so many good folks on here that I could not begin to name them all. Whether or not you own a fleet, run one truck, or work for a company doesn't much matter. What does matter is that you provide a level of service and performance that is above the norm.

That last year or so has seen an unprecedented demand for services of all types. When the demand for services reduces and the supply of services increases, those that provided above average service at an equitable price will be remembered by those that matter. It doesn't matter if you own a huge fleet, move dirt, haul cows, or drive for a company that does these services, your performance and how you made the job of those that pay you a bit easier will be rewarded. Those that handle their finances well and provide a premium level of service will succeed and prosper again. It's not rocket science.