Is it negotiation, or being greedy?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by gravdigr, Aug 9, 2012.

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  1. Aug 10, 2012 #31
    gravdigr

    gravdigr Road Train Member

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    I see what you guys are saying, good stuff. I'm gonna practice close to home next week. Nice thing is my truck is in the harrisburg area and there is a metric butt ton of freight going out of there. I just need to learn where the good areas are.

    But yeah I know PA sucks for freight, of it wasn't for the browns, bengals, and buckeyes I would consider moving to ohio lol.

    So, when I see a rate on the rate index I should be able to ask 20% more? That makes sense...Had I known that I would've asked for$2.50/mi and taken $2.25.
     
    gravdigr, Aug 10, 2012
    gravdigr, Aug 10, 2012
    #31
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  3. Aug 10, 2012 #32
    Markvfl

    Markvfl Road Train Member

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    There's some good stuff on this thread!

    I ALWAYS negotiate the rate. A couple of weeks ago on a Friday I got the rate up on a load by $1,500 on a load from FL to CA! Shows what the broker was trying to hold. I probably average $200 per load added to the rate by negotiation. At the end of a year that adds up to a HEAP o' dough!

    I ALWAYS go with the highest practical mileage plus a few. If it's oversize add at least 10%.

    I always include the dead head miles in the rate per mile when making a decision. People say that you can't do that but I do. It costs the same money to run a truck empty or loaded IMO.

    I sometimes make 30, 40 or even 50 calls to find the right load. So far this year my trucks average $2.73/mile so I guess it's working.
     
    Markvfl, Aug 10, 2012
    Markvfl, Aug 10, 2012
    #32
  4. Aug 10, 2012 #33
    Les2

    Les2 Road Train Member

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    The 25% was the surcharge and it was added back on. Go back and reread the post.
     
    Les2, Aug 10, 2012
    Les2, Aug 10, 2012
    #33
  5. Aug 11, 2012 #34
    windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    Just curious if you'd run the numbers to see if you'd do better running under your own authority vs. leasing on with CRST? I know there's value in having someone else handle the back-office issues like insurance, authority paperwork, finding the loads, etc., but I'm still looking for real-world numbers that tell a better story about just HOW MUCH value there is, and if it's worth the percentage that you pay to CRST (or any other carrier that you choose to lease on to).
     
    windsmith, Aug 11, 2012
    windsmith, Aug 11, 2012
    #34
  7. Aug 11, 2012 #35
    windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    Do you mean that there aren't good loads / rates coming out, or are you referring to the hassle / expense of actually getting in and out and through PA?
     
    windsmith, Aug 11, 2012
    windsmith, Aug 11, 2012
    #35
  8. Aug 11, 2012 #36
    MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    the biggest advantage I have to be able to have a cheaper rate than the next guy and make better money off it.

    I don't have an overhead cost of a building for storing a truck in or for working on that's equal to another truck payment.
     
    MNdriver, Aug 11, 2012
    MNdriver, Aug 11, 2012
    #36
  9. Aug 11, 2012 #37
    gravdigr

    gravdigr Road Train Member

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    I have thought about it. Right now it's a non issue since I have to stay leased on until I finish paying them for the truck. But 75% is a lot. From a couple hundred to over $500 for the big runs. During my time leased on you can bet I will be running some numbers to figure if it would be worth it to run under my own authority, or maybe just switch companies. And with groups like OOIDA and NASTC to help with the authority issues as well as compliance it's not too daunting a task.
     
    gravdigr, Aug 11, 2012
    gravdigr, Aug 11, 2012
    #37
  10. Aug 11, 2012 #38
    RedForeman

    RedForeman Momentum Conservationist

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    Yes.

    I'll qualify the first part by saying we do not run into NY or beyond. For anything other than New England runs (going from bad to worse), it is a tough market. I did not say there were no good rates. But you will work for it.
     
    RedForeman, Aug 11, 2012
    RedForeman, Aug 11, 2012
    #38
  11. Aug 11, 2012 #39
    windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    I can't speak for your segment (reefer), but for van freight we do fairly well coming out of PA than we do coming out of NJ, NY, CT, or MA. Yes, some of the construction and hills are a PITA, but no more so than VA/WV and the NC mountains, IMO. I value your input and insight, so I had to ask :)
     
    windsmith, Aug 11, 2012
    windsmith, Aug 11, 2012
    #39
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