Central Refrigerated Truck Stop II

I dread every time someone says the word lease here, because you know this 3 page argument will ensue. Personally I never say lease here unless someone else specifically mentions it. Whatever happened to people being helpful and friendly? I guess its just a southern thing.

 

This thread has turned into the "I got raped by central" thread. LOL. So what your story? Did they use lube or was it dry? Just a bunch of pathetic buttholes trying to push their bad experiences off as the #### norm. So they didn't want to make central their home, who gives a crap. This thread should be for central drivers not has Beens or never was. Just my opinion.

 

Ok, I'll bite on this knowing full well that I may get my head snapped off...

First of all, no, I don't have any experience in the industry at all...other than the few weeks in training (I know...I can hear the rants now...).

Second, I don't know if I will lease yet or not...if I do, it will be based upon my reviewing of the numbers...as if I were running a 'business'.

Third, everyone needs to learn for themselves as to what works for them and what doesn't work for them...and here's the real clue - the learning can take place in almost any industry.

There are probably more points to bring up but I'll continue on with my thought. Leasing is a 'tool' to use to get a job done. In this case, you are leasing a truck. In manufacturing, you are leasing specific equipment. In the tech industry, most computer systems are leased. In restaurants, most major equipment items are leased. The lease helps you get the equipment that you need to get the job done. In restaurants, I certainly can't plug in my $29.95 grill and start cooking food to server to Joe Public if I want to make any money...in the tech industry, I can't write my code down on a piece of paper and expect to make millions...in manufacturing, I can't make each product by hand and expect to sell millions...and in trucking, I certainly can't pull a trailer with a load with a Dodge Neon (not that I have a Neon...but you get the point). The lease is just a tool to help you get the job done (I know...here come all the comments about that statement).

Look, it doesn't matter what business/industry you are in when you become a business owner...you can lose your shirt in ANY industry. Look at the stats on how many restaurant failures there are - is that stopping people from opening restaurants? NO. Will many fail? YES. Will some eek out a modest living? YES. Will some make a good go at it and do very well? YES. I'm using the restaurant example because I've been very very successful in the restaurant industry, and have also failed greatly. I've also seen the same thing in the tech industry as I've been a part of that as well. The trucking industry is just that - it's just another industry (I know...again all the comments coming in for 'that' remark). Yes, there are some very unique things about the trucking industry...things that I don't even know...and I openly admit that. However, there are also unique things about the restaurant industry...and for those that say there isn't, well...people are people and they can say anything they want...who am I to say that they are wrong.

I guess that's the main point I'm trying to get across...who am I...or who is ANYONE...to say whether or not someone is right or wrong. Each person has their own unique qualities. As to this current topic, some people will have the abilities, skills, and knowledge to know how to work the lease to the best of their ability and come out on top while other may fail miserably. Many others may just break even...if that. I say, don't blame the lease.

Another example...go buy a hammer. What hammer you say? - well, what hammer do you want...what kind of job do you want to get done with the hammer because there are a lot of different hammers out there. So, let's say you get the right hammer for the job - now, if you are good with that hammer, is it a great tool? - YES. Now, let's say you give the hammer to your neighbor. He comes back to you the next day and his fingers are all bashed and bloody...and so he tells you that your hammer is a piece of junk and you wasted your hard earned dollars on a crappy piece of equipment. So let me ask you...is the hammer really that bad or could it be the person using the hammer.

Again, I'm not sure if I will lease or not - I probably won't if I remain a solo driver (oh...you can't say that because you don't have any experience in the industry to know what you want) - give me a break. I'm not a high school dropout coming into the industry (and no, I don't mean to stereotype the industry) - I have a degree and have run business successfully. For me personally, I'm older, no more kids at home, and I don't feel good about getting back into either the Service or Tech industries. No, I am not going into this industry blindly, and no, this is not a last resort thing for me. Agreed, I don't know the industry fully and I don't even know if it's for me or not...though I believe I will do just fine. The point is, getting a lease is a tool to help you run a business. Some businesses will fail while others will be successful - in ANY industry.

Sorry my rant went on so long and even though I thought I'd throw in my two cents worth...looks like I threw in a quarter. Yes, I expect the negative comments...that's ok, I'm a big boy and no...I DON'T know it all. I do have some good overall experience and most important, throughout my career, I have maintained a positive attitude...which is probably the most important 'tool' ANYONE could ever have.

 

These posts brought to you by the redundant department of redundant...

 

Now that we know what you drive... Cut and paste is awesome! Lol. Just kidding, good luck man. Keep your head on straight and at least make sure you're working with someone who is going to get you moving before even considering the lease. They dangle the shiny in front of you a lot at first because they know you're hungry for more. My messages have stopped for a whole week now which is odd but I'm happy with where I'm at right now. Maybe somebody told them..?

 

If you want to read about some rough times... Check this last months posts in our thread... LINK ... 6pak4-two is so right, it's not all fun and roses... If we hadn't had a cushion, we would have been hurt worse than we were... AND at this point, we have no cushion left. Our truck is running as it should again (thank you Lord), but you never know what the future will bring...

 

Well, Ill just say if you do Lease I wouldn't recommend it but if you do I wish ya the best of luck. Central is still in my opinion a good starter Company nothing more. if i had it to do all over again I would have just saved and purchased my truck from the get go. I no longer worry about miles its now about how much the load pays to take it there which is no less than 2.00 a mile.

I have met some good people there and made long lasting friendships. I will say this though no matter where you go its not all gonna be roses and i have had my bad with Central as well as good and will always try and talk people out of doing the lease. No company will be perfect but you might find a perfect situation within a company.

You can learn much from the negative as much as you can from the positive so don't discount negative post especially if they are saying the same thing, there might just be something to it. I have a lot of years on the road and still learn something new.

I created the first thread to tell it all the good and the bad and Celtic followed in the same foot steps even though we often didn't see eye to eye. I hope he is back to driving. with that said best of luck to you all and hope you make your dreams whatever they may be come true. JJRanch

 

hope you guys are doing well. sorry matilda gave ya so much trouble.

 

Ha - good one Frost. Agreed - due diligence will be well served before taking the bait...hook, line, and sinker. Many GOOD posts, both pros and cons, about the 'lease' topic...and I'm sure many more to come. Anyway..Thanks.

 

the numbers i see are this.

89 cents per mile. 900 PLUS in weekly expenses. ON TOP OF FUEL.

that's a record for disaster.

owner operators haul for at least 2.00 per mile and have MONTHLY truck payment of around $500 if they don't outright own there truck.

there's A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RENTAL OPERATORS with central and owner operators in the real world.

and a maintanance fund i could only withdraw from ONE PER QUARTER. no thank you.