Advantage of Fuel Cards for Owner Operators?

Are some of you typically this unfriendly and belittling to folks just asking questions like OP did? Some of the replies are pretty gross and I don’t see any harm in someone asking a question even if it was covered in other threads, other threads that might even be outdated and not relevant in a roller coaster market and currently in a down turn, and some of us new might not be “searching” for this info and enjoy seeing questions like this surface and learning from it even if it doesn’t apply to us. Don’t really understand the constant theme of hate, minimizing, and telling folks you have no business getting into trucking or O/O if you don’t understand something.

 

Gee I don't know but usually around .60 to $1 off a gallon from the cash price. But to answer your question it will depend on what fuel card you use. Just b3cause you can find fuel .60 cheaper down the road doesn't mean you can fuel there. Also paying using your credit card is ludicrous. Not only do you pay the credit price but you also pay the interest on the card.

 

@gokiddogo made some good points.

I just want to add that you should be talking about this with your carrier. If they are handling the ifta on your truck they may require that you use their fuel card. I know if you leased on with me I would require that you use what was provided.
Simple reason is your carrier is the one responsible for the ifta license and any audit that may arise.

 

It depends on the fuel card and it depends on the pricing structure negotiated with the vendor.

 

True I guess if you can find it cheaper then go for it however I used to pay my own fuel with a cc and found the discounts using comdata was much greater in the long run. Most places I've seen have always had a cash and credit price

 

It's sometimes a tough crowd on here, especially if you're a new member asking questions about getting started as an owner operator or lease operator, or anything of that nature.

I saw your other thread about a business plan became kinda hostile pretty quick. Was gonna chime in but the usual suspects were already circling the wagons. Some of those guys have years of experience, and are helpful, once you get past their initial initiation. Then some others are just keyboard warriors that really never did anything, or tried and failed, so they automatically assume everyone will fail. But what doesn't work for one may be a gold mine for the next guy.

For my part, I'm just a company schmuck that never pulled the trigger and stepped out on my own - yet. I have too much going on at home with kids and wife to consider such a move. But in the not too distant future I will be making some noise. So I've nothing real constructive to offer, other than to say keep asking questions and moving forward. You'll get alot of hate mail but so what? Everyone who does something gets criticized.

 

I can only surmise that old school hands on here view any new O/OP questions as competition, and aggressively discourage them on this board. Which I can understand from a business sense, as the loads may be few and far between in markets.

One very prolific member here actually said I would starve running a tanker for a specific company back last year. Well, I'm glad I disregarded that persons advice. Six months into that Lease agreement I have averaged 2.55/mi each load, average gross of $5800 each week I work. That's enough for my business plan. So take what is said here with a grain of salt. Some members may have an agenda other than being a helpful hand.

 

It's funny, I see one rather frequent poster complaining about rates being so terrible and everything being all bad, but yet he or she is still plugging away. Apparently he or she is scratching out a living.
This same person was urging people to not buy a truck three years ago when rates were great because the Boogeyman is coming (kinda did happen I guess lol)

My thought is if it's so terrible all the time, just give it up and get a company job?

 

The Shell in Knowlton NJ off 46 sells cheap diesel for that area. Ensure you pull in the truck entrance. Coffee is pretty good in the 7 eleven and the place is clean. Much cheaper than the TA down the road a short way.