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What would you charge?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Disturbed Canuck, Aug 3, 2009.

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  1. Aug 3, 2009 #1
    Disturbed Canuck

    Disturbed Canuck Light Load Member

    111
    5
    Mar 13, 2008
    Saskatoon, SK
    0
    So at 1:45 this morning, (give or take) I got a call from a broker friend of mine. I was snoozing quite nicely at home as I have had almost a week off to diddle around and experience the fine cuisine of home. He was in something of a spot. It seems one of the trucks that runs with the company he brokers for caught on fire and now he needed a truck as soon as possible to get that trailer from where it was to go pretty much where home is for me.

    So he was hoping that I would hop in my truck, bobtail 180 miles there and bring the trailer 180 miles back. Seeing as he was in quite a spot, I said I would help him out. So I jogged across the street, bought a few litres of caffeine injected sugar laden chemical assistance and came back to hop in my truck, get some fuel and bugger off quick.

    The tow truck was waiting 180 miles away for me to get there so he could drag the tractor out from underneath the trailer for me to make the switch. After almost having a heart attack seeing the trailer stubbornly edge over toward the ditch, I had it hooked up and ready to go. The driver who's truck had caught on fire hopped in my passenger's seat and we headed 'er back to my home town, Saskatoon. There I dropped the trailer where it was supposed to go, dropped the driver off at the Flying J and went to fill up the tanks to make a note as per how much fuel I had used.

    So 200 Litres of fuel # $0.75 is $150. I'll invoice him for that as he offered up front to pay my fuel but as for the rest, how would you charge for an emergency service call in the middle of the night to go out of province ASAP to get a loaded trailer to bring to a particular destination? Total time spent on the trip was about 7 hours.

    I'm not looking for the tough guy responses on this one by the way. As far as I'm concerned, it was a pretty tall order but I just want to know what is reasonable. This was my friend after all and he was in quite a pickle.

    Cheers
     
    Disturbed Canuck, Aug 3, 2009
    Disturbed Canuck, Aug 3, 2009
    #1
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  3. Aug 3, 2009 #2
    Biscuit75

    Biscuit75 Road Train Member

    1,035
    849
    Apr 4, 2009
    Central Ohio via the Suburbs of Detroit
    0
    Friendship issues cloud up what could be considered "reasonable". Reasonable for business is way different that reasonable for business with friends. Since he offered to pay the fuel (not sure if you had any other expense other than time) I would say you need to figure out what your time is worth.

    If it was a good friend of mine, I would charge him the fuel and tell him he owed me. If he was more of an acquaintance type of friend... maybe in the neighborhood of $250 plus fuel. (7 hours being a little over 1/2 day of work and I always figured $500 a day)

    I guess it all really depends on how "good" of a friend he is. Would he come through for you if needed in a similar way? If you do business with him on a regular basis you don't want to cause a rift by over charging, but you should be properly compensated for your services.
     
    Biscuit75, Aug 3, 2009
    Biscuit75, Aug 3, 2009
    #2
  4. Aug 3, 2009 #3
    Disturbed Canuck

    Disturbed Canuck Light Load Member

    111
    5
    Mar 13, 2008
    Saskatoon, SK
    0
    I would say he is a business friend. I would never wish him any ill will and will always be friendly with him. That kinda thing. Overall, business is business and I'm sure he'll understand that.

    Cheers
     
    Disturbed Canuck, Aug 3, 2009
    Disturbed Canuck, Aug 3, 2009
    #3
  5. Aug 3, 2009 #4
    Pawnd

    Pawnd Medium Load Member

    346
    143
    Apr 8, 2009
    Chasing wind
    0
    It is business, but, if you want to be reasonable, charge what you usually would at a minimum not for a friend.
     
    Pawnd, Aug 3, 2009
    Pawnd, Aug 3, 2009
    #4
  7. Aug 3, 2009 #5
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,380
    11,227
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
    0
    Considering you responded at 1am and did in fact, 'rescue' this load/driver/broker, you need to be compensated, but don't gouge the guy either. So you need fuel,and time, right? Just figure a normal days revenue and cut it in half. :biggrin_25518:
     
    Allow Me., Aug 3, 2009
    Allow Me., Aug 3, 2009
    #5
  8. Aug 3, 2009 #6
    112racing

    112racing Road Train Member

    1,384
    20,547
    Nov 30, 2008
    pocono's, pa
    0
    7 hours a half a day? i'd charge $2 a mile tell him you give him a break and say $700 i did the same thing last year guys truck broke down with a reefer load (transmission issue load was already a day late) broker called it was 55 miles to pick up the trailer 9 miles to destination get unloaded 9 miles back to drop off the trailer and 55 miles to bobtail home charged him $350 broker was happy to pay it to keep his customer happy remember the guy that broke down will only get payed a partial on the load because for what ever reason he didn't fulfill his obligation of delivering the load he deducted my rate off the broken down carrier this is buisness not charity if you were doing something personally like something for him and not his buisness that would be different

    your broker friend was making money off this load as he should expect you too also make money thats why you have a truck right?
     
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2009
    112racing, Aug 3, 2009
    112racing, Aug 3, 2009
    #6
  9. Aug 5, 2009 #7
    Brickhauler

    Brickhauler Medium Load Member

    411
    142
    Oct 1, 2008
    Elizabeth CO
    0
    $1.50 per running mile both ways, you might need him to do the same thing for you someday.
     
    Brickhauler, Aug 5, 2009
    Brickhauler, Aug 5, 2009
    #7
  10. Aug 5, 2009 #8
    dirtyoldman

    dirtyoldman Light Load Member

    264
    70
    Dec 30, 2007
    None of your business
    0
    ok so $150 in fuel, I would 360 total miles, I would charge him $500 total, as it covers you for atleast $1 a mile and $140 for annoyance for getting called out at 1am.


    I drink my days off, keeps me from getting called out.

    K
     
    dirtyoldman, Aug 5, 2009
    dirtyoldman, Aug 5, 2009
    #8
  11. Aug 8, 2009 #9
    Sandlapper

    Sandlapper Light Load Member

    208
    35
    Feb 6, 2008
    Simpsonville, SC
    0
    $2/mile for all miles is fair minus the $150 for fuel is fair. The tow truck would charge way more than that.
     
    Sandlapper, Aug 8, 2009
    Sandlapper, Aug 8, 2009
    #9
  12. Aug 8, 2009 #10
    Sandlapper

    Sandlapper Light Load Member

    208
    35
    Feb 6, 2008
    Simpsonville, SC
    0
    $720 total 360mi x $2
    $150 for fuel
    = $570 profit
     
    Sandlapper, Aug 8, 2009
    Sandlapper, Aug 8, 2009
    #10
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