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Menard's freight

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by Steeleandsonfarms, Apr 20, 2014.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Apr 20, 2014 #1
    Steeleandsonfarms

    Steeleandsonfarms Light Load Member

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    Sep 16, 2012
    Edgerton, OH
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    I got my MC and cancelled it due to insurance cost. I had it long enough to get on some broker's email lists. The DC for Menards is 25 miles from me and have several loads running within 100 miles. I called the broker who had it posted. Loads less than 100 miles pay $3 per mile with a $250 minimum. There are 5 stores within 35 miles of me/ 65 miles of them in my direction. I am considering a trailer and day cab to have another driver run them. I figure I could pull 2 a day for a weekly gross of 2500 on an estimated 1100 miles. What has been y'alls experience as an independent contractor hauling van freight for Menard's?
     
    Steeleandsonfarms, Apr 20, 2014
    Steeleandsonfarms, Apr 20, 2014
    #1
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  3. Apr 20, 2014 #2
    losttrucker

    losttrucker Road Train Member

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    Mar 9, 2008
    greenville,nc
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    I HAVE NEVER PULLED FOR MENARDS!! HOWEVER, considering spring and summer months are the busiest for businesses like this; Id have bery little faith in those rates and in number of loads available
     
    losttrucker, Apr 20, 2014
    losttrucker, Apr 20, 2014
    #2
  4. Apr 20, 2014 #3
    Steeleandsonfarms

    Steeleandsonfarms Light Load Member

    278
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    Sep 16, 2012
    Edgerton, OH
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    I'm green on the finding my own loads idea so please clarify why you'd be hesitant
     
    Steeleandsonfarms, Apr 20, 2014
    Steeleandsonfarms, Apr 20, 2014
    #3
  5. Apr 20, 2014 #4
    losttrucker

    losttrucker Road Train Member

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    greenville,nc
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    Home Improvement stores ALWAYS see an uptick in business during spring and summer so Id just be hesitant to rely on Menards the whole year to have solid rates and load availability
    Ive read where some O/O's run their Power Only stuff and love it

    Thats all I have to offer on Menards!

    You seem like a smart guy and already know not to put all your eggs in your basket BUT sometimes we all forget that lol
     
    losttrucker, Apr 20, 2014
    losttrucker, Apr 20, 2014
    #4
    Steeleandsonfarms Thanks this.
  7. Apr 20, 2014 #5
    Homemade1959

    Homemade1959 Light Load Member

    130
    46
    Jan 21, 2012
    any of the 48 states
    0
    I've hauled Menards freight when I leased onto Panther, rate was good and dropping at Menards went real good never had a problem with them unloading me. You should do fine.
     
    Homemade1959, Apr 20, 2014
    Homemade1959, Apr 20, 2014
    #5
    Steeleandsonfarms Thanks this.
  8. Apr 20, 2014 #6
    Lyle H

    Lyle H Road Train Member

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    Apr 16, 2014
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    Some of Menards DC's only allow drop and hook carriers to haul their freight. Others allow live loads, but are very slow (in my experience) to get you unloaded. As far as the individual Menards stores go, it's kind of hit and miss as far as speediness. Some good......some not so much.
     
    Lyle H, Apr 20, 2014
    Lyle H, Apr 20, 2014
    #6
    bullhaulerswife Thanks this.
  9. Apr 20, 2014 #7
    Sublime

    Sublime Road Train Member

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    Jan 18, 2013
    Twin Cities, MN
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    We avoid Menard's as much as possible. DCs are slow and stores are slower yet. They act as if they have all day to unload the trailer.
     
    Sublime, Apr 20, 2014
    Sublime, Apr 20, 2014
    #7
  10. Apr 20, 2014 #8
    Cummins_444

    Cummins_444 Medium Load Member

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    Apr 28, 2008
    Northwest, IN
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    FYI.... Just call Holiday City's shipping office and get the loads direct. Or drive up there and go in the office and talk to them. They give out the loads. You are going to want to invest in drop trailers because it takes a long time to live load. I think you will find without the drop trailers you will put in some long days.
     
    Cummins_444, Apr 20, 2014
    Cummins_444, Apr 20, 2014
    #8
  11. Apr 20, 2014 #9
    passingthru69

    passingthru69 Road Train Member

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    davenport,Ia / ratchaburi, thailand
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    I think bullhaulerswife might have some better insight on them.
    I think her hubby did or is doing work with them. Msg. her..
    I even think there was a thread a long time ago about them as well
     
    passingthru69, Apr 20, 2014
    passingthru69, Apr 20, 2014
    #9
    bullhaulerswife Thanks this.
  12. Apr 20, 2014 #10
    bullhaulerswife

    bullhaulerswife Forum Leader/Admin Staff Member Administrator

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    Jul 23, 2007
    Midwest
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    I'm here. I'll give him the low down in this thread.

    Hubby was a daily O/O for Menard's and hauled out of the DC near us. It went well for about a year, and then it all fell to the ground, when they got greedy and wanted us to sign their contract. They insisted that we buy two trailers, so we did, and then 6 months later they came up with this new contract, which gave them exclusive rights to our trucks and we had to haul their trailers, and up our weight to 92K. The contract is a recipe for bankruptcy, for anyone that is full O/O and has their own authority. DO NOT SIGN THE CONTRACT WITH MENARDS!

    We could still get "live" loads through brokers out of them, but you will waste a whole day getting a load. Unless its a block only load, then you might get out of there in a reasonable time frame.

    All in all, hubby makes in 2 1/2 days, what he made hauling for Menards 6 days a week. Its pathetic that they cannot get their act together at the DC's and get the staging right, when mixing materials on loads.

    Also, you will loose money, because they want those loads tarped, and they are very ugly loads that do not tarp well, and most are multiple drop loads, which is a lot of work when tarping. They do not pay tarp fees, at all.

    The attitude when we stopped hauling for them, was that THEY were doing us a favor, by letting us have the loads. REALLY? Just because they were more of a local situation, doesn't mean that we should loose money. Sorry, not happening.

    Hubby is very happy with his situation now, and would not haul one of their loads if it was the last load on the load board. He'd let it sit first. Plus they still owe us for some loads, and its been over a year, and we don't haul for free.

    So from our stand point, we have a very bad taste in our mouths with Menards and really don't even shop there, unless we are desperate. They used to be a great place to work, but the new "corporate" attitude that they have taken on, leaves a lot to be desired on the independent side of things.
     
    bullhaulerswife, Apr 20, 2014
    bullhaulerswife, Apr 20, 2014
    #10
    mp4694330, SL3406 and Sublime Thank this.
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