Lease Observation vs Buying your own.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Gypsy27, Oct 1, 2018.

  1. Gypsy27

    Gypsy27 Light Load Member

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    I am planning on getting my CDL in SLC, Utah early next year and have been researching here and there etc.....

    There is a ton of information about leasing, especially with Prime, but one thing I have never heard anyone talk about is this:

    When these drivers are leasing, they are basically renting time to use the truck. No matter if you drive 0 miles or 3,000 miles in a week, that weeks payment is paid. You are paying for one weeks use. Once that week is over, that payment money is gone forever. You lost that money's earning power.

    When you buy a truck, you are buying miles to use the truck for, i.e. the practical useful life of the truck. No matter when you eventually use those miles, you get them to use to earn money with. Whether you pay cash, get a loan, park the truck for a year, you can still use those miles to earn money with. You will always get what you paid for. It never goes away until you use it, unlike with the lease.

    I never hear any of the lease drivers mention this.
     
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  3. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    You can purchase the truck you just leased from them for a residual / balloon payment.

    I'm not a Prime fan by any stretch of the imagination.

    But as long as you're appalled by the prospect of leasing, especially a brand new truck, I ask that you do some research and find out what a brand new truck will cost you to purchase.

    Down payment, and payments. New driver 0 experience.

    Please respond with your findings.
     
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  4. TruckerPete1990

    TruckerPete1990 Road Train Member

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    Biggest issue with lease is the company can cancel the lease at any time. Drivers will say oh they won't do that blah blah blah. Maybe they will maybe they won't. Are you willing to take that risk?
     
  5. Big Road Chris

    Big Road Chris Bobtail Member

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    @Gypsy27 - You'll find valuable insight by talking specifically to a CPA who works with both types of drivers. I'm in UT as well and know there are some great accountants who specialize in trucking and who see the other side of the equation, which is how profitable each decision is over what period of time. There may also be some business expenses you would fail to consider by choosing one over the other.

    A good CPA will help you set up right and would help you make a smart business decision when it comes time for you.
     
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2018
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  6. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    What do people think a lease purchase is but a rental with a commitment?

    My god people want something for nothing?

    Try telling the bank or lender that your payment is late because you didn't work, they want their payment first before you buying food. The same holds with a lease.

    The payment is your only concern to make, either with a lease payment or a loan payment.
     
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  7. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    We're not even getting to the tax issues yet.

    Step by step.
     
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  8. WesternPlains

    WesternPlains Road Train Member

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    Forget leasing with Prime, or any other Mega. It isn't a good lease.

    Most lease because they cannot yet buy.
    A full service lease on a truck is a pretty good deal. Even if you have a flat tire. They take care of it.
     
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  9. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    if you find all the information you think you need, there are other resources for leasing a truck and maybe even a trailer, and that is thru Penske and Ryder, and a few other companies.

    now here too, you will be totally responsible for those payments. you can also get a service contract thru them, and the network of thier repairs shops is (i do believe) all across the USA.

    thier payments "may be" higher than from a mega carrier. you cannot walk out of a lease that easily as well, as there will be penalties to pay.

    now comes an important part, "who are you going to "lease on with" regarding getting your loads..???

    right now, as i have read your posting, you are either NOT in CDL school yet, or are at least part way thru.

    the BEST advice (if you really wanted any to begin with ), is to become an ordinary company driver for at the very least 1 to 3 years. you may find that either you like the job, or you LOVE the job, or you hate it with so much passion, you wanna wish you were never a CDL holder.

    THEN, after being an "ordinary driver", and HOPEFULLY you banked some money, make your decisions then, based on what you SHOULD HAVE LEARNED as a company driver.

    personally , i have ALWAYS been a company driver, these past 40 + years now, and i have NO REGRETS in being a company driver. my "off time, is MY TIME", and i ain't changing oil, lubing, fixing or washing/waxing ANYONE'S truck, but instead MY PERSONAL vehicle(s)..

    you really NEED to consider the upsides and DOWNSIDES of truck leasing and ownership.

    what WORKS for some of the members HERE, may very well NOT work out for you.

    good luck, i wish you well.
     
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  10. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    "Leasing plans" have often been referred to as nothing more than "renting and maintaining" a key tool to do a job, the same tool that other outfits will let have for nothing. Any CPM leasing option must be looked at with a high degree of skepticism.
     
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  11. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    But it should also be noted that buying (investing) in a quality used or new truck and leasing to a company with a lousy CPM or percentage contract is dumb too
     
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