$2 per mile for a full load is a new norm?

Central dispatch is a tool for Manheim and the dealers to move cars cheap which helps sell auction cars. The lower the rates the more non local sales they make. But even cheap ### dealers take the Q from large carriers and brokers that sub the work out at 35+% margin if URS post a load of 9 new cars 700+ miles for $2200 you can bet a dealer will try to move 9 auction cars from that same area for 2k or less. If URS is posting that load for $2800-3k a fair rate . You have a good chance of getting that dealer to pay $26-$2800 even if they posted it for 2k

 

As long as the Federal Reserve keeps the interest rate low there will be a lot of risk takers.

 

Try getting a vehicle picked up in a small town in Western NY state. Forget it. I spent weeks trying to get a truck I bought picked up. they told me every day it was being picked up. Finally, a local driver picked it up with his single flatbed, brought it home, and loaded it on his 9 car carrier before he headed out. I returned the favor by driving from Phoenix to Flagstaff to meet him and collect my truck as his next stop was in Vegas and it saved him the round trip. I tipped him too. The problem is the dispatchers, all seem to be in Atlanta, they lowballed the carriers. The driver was only going to make about 35% of what they charged me.

I used to build and ship a lot of High value equipment. I usually needed a high-cube. I cannot count on two hands how many times some flip-flop-wearing-non-showered-garlic-smelling-foreigner-who-works-for-nothing showed up with a standard height van and asked me to take the machine apart. On the last one, the broker threatened to charge me $300 backhaul for the no-load, I told her that I'd gladly pay that, so long as they paid my extra night in the hotel, change in air-fare, and the $300 fee the airline tacked on top of that for making me stay an extra day when I was buying a machine. You sent the wrong truck. That is a you problem.

And if any of you are wondering who destroyed that shower or toilet in the truck stop, it is that flip flop wearing foreigner who cannot even speak English... or use a toilet properly. Many have destroyed a toilet in our shop too.

Then there are the rotted van floors that I nearly dropped a forklift through.

These are the reasons I'm considering going into the high value equipment transport. There doesn't seem to be anyone out there that ever gets dispatched to move it properly. I have stood on the dock dozens of times with clients watching their equipment arrive on a wreck of a truck/van. I have enough contacts in my industry that I could book directly with, and they would also get the service at both ends by a guy who knows how to handle what is in the crates. In some cases, the cost of the crates could be eliminated, since this guy doesn't need that crate to protect the tool from the guys who will handle it like crap. Half of that savings would go into my pocket.

One time I had the pleasure of working with a driver who was a retired...something not in transport... who bought a nice super sleeper and went full time with his wife and moved critical equipment. He was shocked and actually thanked me for being polite when I shook his hand after signing the BOL after unloading. I asked why he was so shocked and he said people treat him like $#!+. I wish I kept his number. He was very polite and professional as well. I never have treated a trucker poorly, I guess most people do. I had a boss once that asked why I was rushing to get the load ready, I told him because the truck is here, and he said so what? Truckers are paid to wait.

Customers and brokers treat y'all like crap. It's too bad. Without trucks, this world would stop. The brokers are just out there to make a quick buck off the customers and drivers backs.

 

you gotta witness how ####ty dealerships treat drivers picking up lease returns. its crazy, I started leaving 1 star google maps reviews on them.

 

I move carpet machines and large printing machines between Phoenix and LA.

What kind of machines are you moving?

 

We are headed for one no matter who wins the election if nothing is done. Next will be the baby boomers not selling there high priced houses to the baby boomers. Its gonna hurt folks.

 

Semiconductor Process Equipment.