Mercer transportation

I Like 100 percent of direct good paying freight. With enough direct freight your yearly average will be better than being leased to a good carrier.

I notice this a lot, operators that have given up their authority and leased to a company use this argument of their 75% of direct freight is better. But the only thing that stopped them from getting their own direct freight was themselves for whatever reason.

If one doesn't want to secure direct freight then they will probably have the same numbers as someone leased to good carriers. Notice I wrote probably, dealing exclusively with brokers is tough at best. Need to cut out the middle man or you won't gain much or anything compared to a good lease.

 

Yeah, cause direct shippers are growing on trees. That's easy to say, but fairly difficult for a one truck show to keep a direct shipper happy, it sounds good though

 

I keep one happy.

 

This is just not true. Shippers are everywhere look around stop making excuses. One truck shows can easily keep a direct shipper happy. There are plenty of small shippers that would love to work with a independent for reliable service. Every big trucking company started somewhere.

Is it easy like leasing to a good company? NO!

Is it easy like subscribing to a internet load board? NO!

Is it possible for a one truck show to get and keep direct shippers? Yes!

 

Possible yes. But if anyone can bring a one truck show down here to Florida and get enough direct customers with good paying freight to keep them busy I'll buy them a steak dinner.

I had quite a few direct customers, but combined there just wasn't enough volume. The companies with enough volume that would talk to us little guys were dirt cheap.

 

I finally have a strong erge to buy a truck and either go with Mercer or Landstar. I have 17 years experience and 1 month OTR with Usf Holland. Does Mercer require OTR experience like Landstar and for a Newbie to Ownership are they good to show me the ropes?

 

They have mentors that can help but u r on ur own besides that..after u learn where the best places 4 u r than u will b fine

 

To more correctly and fully answer the question: The short version is, yes, they require OTR experience.
The long version is check out the requirements on Mercer's website. https://mercertown.com/join/ As for being new to the O/O game, Mercer is just fine with that. They do have mentors that they can put you in contact with, but it's your business. They aren't going to hold your hand. You can let your coordinator run your truck or you can 100% choose your own loads. There are pros and cons to both ends of the spectrum and the various shades of grey along said spectrum. Read the long thread. You will learn a ton. Make the time.

 

I'm sorry what is the long thread

 

The Mercer thread that's 1700 pages long