Business Plan/ Mentor Needed

spyder7723 · Mar 20, 2017

Ouch! And they say im a prick

CJndaTruck · Mar 20, 2017

spyder7723 said: ↑

Ouch! And they say im a prick
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I may have been a bit harsh. I suppose I could have drug it out for twenty lines of flowery junk with just a thorn or two imbedded in the heart of it. But I'm afraid my point would have been lost on the OP. At least this way he can't question my thoughts. He will probably think I'm a prick and that's ok. If he listens he will be able to sleep at least. What's the worst McDs will do? Charge him $25 for a shirt?

haider99 · Mar 20, 2017

spyder7723 said: ↑

Do you now understand why i said you need to hire a better quality of driver? Even a good driver will screw up on occasion, but striking an inanimate object is never excusable.

One more thought on the issue. If a 6500 dollar bill is such a big deal you are losing sleep over it you need to take a look at your operation. If you aren't running with a profit margin high enough to easily absorb a one time hit of 6500, them you need to get your rates up.
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So far we haven't been running a profitable operation. Big changes are happening now.

I had sleeping issue for a night but now I am back to normal.

LoudOne · Mar 20, 2017

haider99 said: ↑

So far we haven't been running a profitable operation. Big changes are happening now.

I had sleeping issue for a night but now I am back to normal.
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Mate if your running even 1 truck and your not profitable. You need to walk away now before you lose everything. Either that or learn the industry BEFORE diving into it head first... if you aren't making money you should be driving it yourself. But you stated you aren't capable of that...

Either put your big Boy pants on and step up. Or go back to the sand pit and play tonka trucks. Cause it sounds like your fixing to go broke in a big way.

haider99 · Mar 20, 2017

LoudOne said: ↑

Mate if your running even 1 truck and your not profitable. You need to walk away now before you lose everything. Either that or learn the industry BEFORE diving into it head first... if you aren't making money you should be driving it yourself. But you stated you aren't capable of that...

Either put your big Boy pants on and step up. Or go back to the sand pit and play tonka trucks. Cause it sounds like your fixing to go broke in a big way.
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The trucks we had were driven by drivers since my dad's illness. Hes much better now, I have my license, we got all the authorities and have been doing short haul trips for the past month. It's time to retire these old rigs that have been operating by drivers and work on the new plan.

Never new I would go from my Accounting profession and chasing my designations to chasing loads.

haider99 · Mar 30, 2017

I am still looking for a dry van.
Saw a 2011 stoughton z plate for 17k
Saw a 2006 utility with playwood walls. Looks decent except one cross member bar bent - price $5000
Will be checking out a 2011 utility tomorrow for $15k

Canr decide

spyder7723 · Mar 30, 2017

Holy crap man just buy a #### trailer already. Seriously its a freaking box, it isn't that complicated. 4 walls, 8 tires, doors that shut and no holes.

This industry is going to eat you alive if you don't get a grip on that inability to make a decision.

steve092 · Apr 18, 2017

haider99 said: ↑

Hey Guys,

I hope to get good discussion in this thread so that it's helpful to fellow newbies who want to start out a trucking business.

About myself:
I am a 25 year old part-time accountant and a student. I am very passionate about businesses and have been around my fathers trucks for past 7-8 years. I am getting my training for a semi-truck license here in Toronto, Canada. I have been on this forum and read many posts for past few years and also made some of my own threads.

My father has been in this business for around 10 years... as of now we have 5 tractors with sleepers leased on to carriers. Currently, we are getting an average of CAD$1.35 cpm from which we have to pay 4% insurance, fuel, drivers pay (average $0.44cpm). Trucks are paid off and they run to Montreal and U.S dedicated, average 3000 Miles per week. Two of the trucks are parked due to shortage of drivers willing to run the route.

Now, my father has been out of service due to health and I want to restructure this business and get some more money out of it. Because I believe its the time to take a big step.

Here is my plan:

1. I want to renew our authority.
2. Get a trailer or maybe rent once I get some loads
3. Contact loadboard brokers ( I believe a good Canadian one is Transcore LoadLink)
4. Use the 2 trucks that are parked and get load from the brokers using loadboard.
5. One of the trucks can start the running and the other could be a backup if the running one breaks down.
6. I would want to run mainly within Ontario/Quebec and plan ahead. For example, book a road to Montreal and return from Montreal for next week so that the driver does not have to wait much. Also, do some local runs.
7. I would pay the driver a Hourly (if local) or cpm plus a percentage based on after fuel income. Pay to Incorporation.
8. Somewhere down the road, make a list of shippers in my area, and visit/contact them for some contracts.

Now my questions are:

1. What are some good loadboards for Canadians?
2. Now with carriers, we are getting average of $1.35cpm from which we have to pay for insurance at 4%, fuel, drivers pay, maintenance. With loadboards would I make more on average even after the extra costs of being independent?
3. What would be the best approach to getting and retaining drivers?
4. Are return loads a big problem and involve a lot of waiting?
5. What are some good lanes to run that will get me returns load without a problem?
6. Do same loads show up on loads boards like say every week, so that the driver can go the same route everyday/week or are they just one time loads?
- is the possible to get the same load going to same place (dedicated) and FTL?
7. Once with brokers and loadboards, how likely is it for someone to get contracted to the shipper with broker getting a commission?

Any other advice or something I should really consider will be greatly appreciated. Please guys I desperately need a mentor/ connections from someone who would get me started at this venture. A lot of hard work, tears, sweat and blood has been went into these trucks and I really need to see some good return. I would really appreciate if anyone can lead me and we make this happen. Maybe if there are brokers on this forum who need their loads moved, that can help me out.

Thanks everyone... lets get the discussion started.
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Hey buddy, I operate out of Toronto, ON myself. That price you are getting per mile is a scam! Please look into Thompson emergency I know they offer $2.00/mile incld fuel surcharge. One day out and one day back in. They have runs into the mid west and back into Windsor/Toronto.

haider99 · Apr 24, 2017

Is it me or Delmar International based out of Quebec is very cheap?

gokiddogo · Apr 24, 2017

Have you got your US authority and border stuff all setup yet?

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