Okay, so I bought a used truck from Crete Carrier.

Run from JBH. They are trying to keep a law suite over L/P practices from becoming a class action. In '08 and '09 they could not keep L/P's rolling but kept leasing the trucks. And while this may be an issue they went completely to % of revenue. So if you believe discovery, they had months that drivers ave take home was less than $200 and less than 200 miles a day while bringing on 60-100 new L/P's a week.

This speaks volumes about how this company has changed since the old man passed.

 

Perhaps he means they are OCD about safety, I mean I like the fact that they are trying to keep their safety record good, but it's the way they do things that makes it seem that they are going overboard... Most of us are use to the general public, law enforcement and the legal ambulance chasers treating us like we are guilty until proven innocent, but when our own people do it, that's going too far. I wish we still had the 'family' feeling when we have to deal with anyone in High Command...but, I guess those were the good ole' days...a time long gone.

 

Redbeard, just curious, when I ran into you in Lenoir City, you were buying a transmission output shaft seal...but there was some question about it being the right one...were they right, or was your info off your phone right? Just wondering.

 

I understand what you mean,and don't disagree. However, this is a common theme at most companies ( especially large ones ) these days. So, better the devil you know than the one you don't.

 

Yeah, you kinda got what I mean. Basically, unless they want to change the way they do business, and I mean make customers get their #### together, they need to allow a little flexibility with hours and logs.

For example, Let's say you have a 5 AM delivery and there is no parking near the customer. You have to park 15 minutes away. You make your 5AM delivery, are empty at 9 AM and it takes the numbnuts in dispatch 4 more hours to dispatch you. Your 14 hr clock has now been running 8.5 hours and you haven't made a dime.

Now if they want to be anal about it, then they should either pay you for your time, or demand that customers provide parking and unload in a timely matter. We know that ain't never gonna happen. So if they want to play the customers game, they need to shut up and let drivers work.

Another beef I have is that some of the people in safety don't know what they are doing, and even if you cite a rule to them, they won't even bother to look it up. They just believe what their supervisor told them, even if it is wrong.

 

OK, so based on some of the things I have seen here I told a friend that drives for Schafer that he needs to look at the L/P program. He has been saving his money and was getting ready to buy a truck from Loan Mtn. Got a call this morning from him saying the prices are 50-75% over market. He understood the interest rate being high but combined with what they are looking for the truck he is feeling like they are trying to take advantage of him.

Can any of you that have done these deals tell me if they will negotiate on price? How did you get the best deal possible? Also, what can I tell him about the pricing that he may have missed that makes these high prices a little easier to stomach. Do they give a great warranty?

 

Crete's price on a used '06 or maybe '07, not sure, Centry Class is approx. $35,000-$40,000. If it has an APU add another $3,500. Then there is a down payment. Not sure the exact amount, but I think it is between $3,500 - $5,000. Soooo, unless the market for such a truck is in the $15k-$20k price range (and it's NOT) I'd say your friend is wrong.

With Crete selling their used trucks at these prices, and your friend thinks they are over priced; then I'd say he has no business sense and should not be an O/O.

 

Ok Spunky, you clearly have not shopped for a company spec'd, no fairing '06 Century lately. I have looked at many at the end of last year. $30k MAX and with little effort you can get them for $25k. So being quoted $40k is 150%.
So I guess the answer to my question is a BIG NO.
And as I stated, he is not looking to be an O/O yet. He wants to buy a truck and lease on with a company. He knows he has a lot to learn before being an O/O. But I am not sure how making the choice to spend $10-15k more for a truck than market price makes you more qualified to be an O/O.
I understand you are pretty proud of what you are doing. But please do not try and thump your chest by putting people down that are doing their research and looking to get a good deal for their hard earned money.