Too Good To Be True?

It depends on which one of my relatives we’re talking about. I’ve seen Family work together real well,trust being the main reason. He’s basically taking you under his wing. Might be a great opportunity. Him wanting to help you, and make a profit at the same time. Nothing wrong with that. If He’s a reasonable Guy, and you know each other well. Sounds good. Why not? I would make sure, to stress, if you part ways, no hard feelings.

 

I hear newbs talking about us hating them, company drivers say the same about owner ops, I don't feel that is right, everybody was a newby at one time, and many of us help new guys get started, or when they run up against something they just haven't learned, that is not even strictly a newb thing either. And I sure don't have a problem with company drivers, I am not fond of a lot of companies, but have no problems with their drivers.

As far as working with family, some people make it work great, some don't, just go at it with an open mind.

 

Along with the family risks finding a driver whom will take care of your equipment and do their job is hard to find anymore. Not saying there's nit some #### good people out here but finding one who's worth a #### willing to jump into this with might be tricky. I don't own my truck but i treat it as my own. I clean it out at night and keep it clean do as much preventable stuff as i can so that when i ask for a raise I'm able to say your not spending money on fixing things on truck or trailers and i like to look it to look good when I'm driving and when i get to jobsites or customers and i don't like getting pulled in for inspections because the officer can see my truck is a mess with my dashboard covered with crap. It does help in situations if a d.o.t or cop jump up on the boards and looks in and your cab is clean doesn't stink paperwork ready to go. Good luck

 

Not meaning to be mean but your reliative doesn't have your best interest here.

If he has 40 years in this industry and 20 in business, then he would start you off learning from him in the office or on the road with him and if you insisted in your own truck, he would point you into an inexpensive truck that you could use without a large capital expenditure. He would also tell you that you need capital to sustain the business so to pay the bills, just because the truck is sitting doesn't mean it doesn't cost money.

This is a complicated business to be in, just finding drivers who will not destroy a truck in a few months is getting harder and harder to find.

 

I don't know about the real well part.

We still have a few knives that have rusted from lack of use being associated with certain incidents at the Tavern over the years. Nothing bad. But it is chaos and hard feelings from time to time. If you want MAD (Mutual assured destruction, go with Family)

Its best not to be involved with family in business.

The problems in your post began when your Truck Fairy waved his wand to show you the Emerald City and all the pretty things to be yours. But failed to talk about the cost and the wicked witch living under a house. Tin man is rusted, brainac off line, a warrior a craven coward and so on.

 

My biggest concern would be the contracted freight. The spot market is constantly in flux, and contracts get renegotiated and dropped every day. His clients might not like dealing with you, or they made decide they can get a better deal someplace else and drop your contract. I know small carriers that have had the same contracts for 20+ years and lost them this year because the spot market is so low. Before taking on something like this, you'll need to know how to be a good salesman and find new clients to grow your business.

 

Been in a family run business going on 25 years and it has been great. When you work with family you know that someone always has your back.

 

S....M....H.....!

 

Amen!