Driving for a Mercer Contractor

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Blind Driver, Jan 15, 2013.

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  1. Jan 15, 2013 #1
    Blind Driver

    Blind Driver Road Train Member

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    I just got approved to drive for Mercer. Got the names and numbers for 6 contractors and will be calling them shortly.

    Am I safe to assume driving for a contractor is going to be nearly the same as any other company?
    I am expecting typical company benefits like health insurance will probably not be available.

    Any advice before I start making phone calls?
     
    Blind Driver, Jan 15, 2013
    Blind Driver, Jan 15, 2013
    #1
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  3. Jan 15, 2013 #2
    blacklabel

    blacklabel Heavy Load Member

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    Some may find you loads and some may let you have the reins.
     
    blacklabel, Jan 15, 2013
    blacklabel, Jan 15, 2013
    #2
  4. Jan 15, 2013 #3
    rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    Mercer? Oh heavens no! Don't post that on this forum or some know-it-all will come on here and say you made a big mistake signing on with a company that's been over the HOS threshold for ~24 consecutive months and the FMCSA will be shutting them down any day now.

    Just kidding driver.
     
    rank, Jan 15, 2013
    rank, Jan 15, 2013
    #3
  5. Jan 15, 2013 #4
    Autocar

    Autocar Road Train Member

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    I would be more concerned with which contractors are willing to accept their legal responsibility and pay you on a W-2, versus which try to shun that responsibility and try to pawn it off on you.
     
    Autocar, Jan 15, 2013
    Autocar, Jan 15, 2013
    #4
    Travelinman Thanks this.
  7. Jan 15, 2013 #5
    Blind Driver

    Blind Driver Road Train Member

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    I don't care which, as long as I know up front. Then I can negotiate my pay rate. W2 would keeps things nice and legal.
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2013
    Blind Driver, Jan 15, 2013
    Blind Driver, Jan 15, 2013
    #5
  8. Jan 15, 2013 #6
    BAYOU

    BAYOU Road Train Member

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    First thing I'd ask is are they paying by the mile or % also when your getting paid because there getting the money when they drop also is this a 1099 deal because that's not legal if they provide you with all the tools for the job truck,trailer,chains,straps,fuel, ect you are a driver not a contractor

    Taxes are going up this year and could count for as much as 30% of your income so do your home work sometimes it's better to go with a company that takes taxes out because they are matching what you pay in instead of you paying all of it
     
    BAYOU, Jan 15, 2013
    BAYOU, Jan 15, 2013
    #6
    Civilservant Thanks this.
  9. Jan 15, 2013 #7
    rickybobby

    rickybobby Road Train Member

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    This thread is going to be good!!!!
     
    rickybobby, Jan 15, 2013
    rickybobby, Jan 15, 2013
    #7
  10. Jan 15, 2013 #8
    Flightline

    Flightline Road Train Member

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    Yes, this is gona rattle some cages.
    Now with mandatory health insurance or 1% income tax. it goning to change things for all of us.
    Maybe Mercer will come up with a health insurance that we can buy into for a resonable cost.
     
    Flightline, Jan 15, 2013
    Flightline, Jan 15, 2013
    #8
    rickybobby Thanks this.
  11. Jan 15, 2013 #9
    Blind Driver

    Blind Driver Road Train Member

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    Potential employer #1

    50% of net. Net is after fuel and tolls.

    He'll be giving me a 1099 at the end of the year.

    I choose when and where i want to go. I run the truck like i own it.

    *edit* A couple of interesting stories fro the owner

    He used to pay .35 a mile and allowed the driver to book his own loads.

    This didn't work out too well when a driver was booking loads at .89 cents a mile :biggrin_2559:

    Same cheap rates were causing problems when the pay rate was changed to 25% of load. :biggrin_2559:

    Then he decided to pay drivers 50% of load. If he gets a driver that still runs for cheap, profits ay be non-exsistant. :biggrin_25526:
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2013
    Blind Driver, Jan 15, 2013
    Blind Driver, Jan 15, 2013
    #9
  12. Jan 15, 2013 #10
    BAYOU

    BAYOU Road Train Member

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    50% of net profit after expenses?

    First thing I would ask is what there CPM runs?
     
    BAYOU, Jan 15, 2013
    BAYOU, Jan 15, 2013
    #10
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