At the end of my rope

Discussion in 'Waste Removal and Garbage Truck Driver Forum' started by RichardShipp, Jul 29, 2020.

  1. RichardShipp

    RichardShipp Bobtail Member

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    Jul 19, 2017
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    First off, thanks for taking the time to read this. I need advice... actually I need a miracle.

    Honestly, I don't know what to do. I don't know what to say. I will start by explaining my story.

    I started picking up trash on my own with a pickup truck and a wooden box that I built myself. I take care of savings, taxes, permits, maintenance and everything else in between. I am proud of that. I got up to about 350 customers in about a year. I run in rural areas so a lot of dirt roads and beats up the truck pretty good.. but I kept everything together.

    I saved up $25,000 and was going to continue saving until I could get a rear loading compacting truck. One day an older gentleman approached me with an offer. He said he is getting too old to keep running and wanted to know if I wanted his customers and compactor.
    Not expecting to be able to afford it I told him thanks but I don't have enough capital yet. He told me he saw my work ethic and would cut me the best deal I would ever get. So I told him I only had $25,000. In which he said I can work with that. I was shocked and asked if he could show me the compactor. He said of course and he took me to his property and showed me 4 different compactor trucks. I asked which one he was selling and he said all of them but he couldn't sell them all for $25,000 I laughed and said I know that. He let me start the trucks and look them over and they all looked great. Used trucks of course, but all hydraulics looked clean and in good working order and they started and ran great.
    As I was getting out of one of the trucks he said "I don't think I can sell you one of these for the money you have but I will figure something out to help you out." I gave him my number and headed home.
    A week later he calls me and said "I have great news. I figured it out and I can sell you one of my trucks and I will give you 100 accounts that are nearer to your area." I was amazed and very happy. He came by with transfer paper work and a contract for equipment and accounts and we went to a notary signed the paperwork and I paid him. He told me he would be back in 2 days to bring the truck and run me through the route. I said "That sounds great!" We shook hands and I went home and the next day I called the company that was emptying my dumpsters and told them I appreciated their service but I needed to cancel my service with them.

    This is where it all goes down hill. The next day. He pulls in with a truck that was NOT shown to me and sounds like it is barely able to idle. I asked him where this truck came from and where my truck was. He said that the truck he was in was the truck he sold me. I immediately lost it and told him that if I had known this was the truck he was going to sell me I would have kept my money and driven ANYWHERE in the USA to pick up a better truck than that. He laughed and said "Listen, you are new to the business, just take a ride with me on the route and you'll see." I rode with him and I kept saying "This doesn't sound right." In which he would reply "That's normal I've been driving this for many years and for the price it is a great deal." I decided to not talk about the truck anymore and just learn the route. My next day off I went to my lawyer and I was told that the contract I signed locked me into that truck and I wasn't able to get out of it.

    Every morning I would check the fluids and each week I greased everything. 2 weeks later the wench goes out. I replaced the wench. The following week the motor locks up. Had a mechanic look at it and told me how much it would cost to fix it and I had it hauled for scrap. Called up the company that was emptying my dumpsters and they told me that they don't service my area anymore. I called the only other company that does service my area(which they are also my competitor) and they charge a little more than double what I was paying.

    So where does that leave me? 450 customers... all my cans are being used. So no new customers unless they have their own can. A pickup truck that is running more dirt roads which means more maintenance and a company that charges me so much that my savings plan I used to have is so slow that now it is going to take me 4 and a half years just to get back to the $25000 I lost. Not only that, I am under my competitor's thumb and all they have to say is we aren't picking you up anymore and I am done.

    Here is where I ask questions I already know the answers to. But my father always told me it can't hurt to ask but you won't achieve by staying silent.

    Do any of you know where I can get a decent non cdl rearloader donated? Yeah donated. I just can't take on any extra costs right now.
    Any place I can get 96gal cans that cost less than $27,000 for 522 cans. Or just a few cans... I don't know.. I feel like giving up most days. But I have put so much work into this.... I pray every night for help but so far no answer.
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2020
    Flat Earth Trucker Thanks this.
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  3. Eddiec

    Eddiec Road Train Member

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    You went to your lawyer after you signed a business contract? Try Gofundme...
     
    Doealex and Rubber duck kw Thank this.
  4. Puppage

    Puppage Road Train Member

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  5. Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    Seems like their should be some way to get the guy for selling you bad truck or like he switched truck at last minute. If you signed paperwork for truck you never seen plus give him the check. You might be screwed. Maybe play hard ball and tell him you might file Bankruptcy. Not sure what kinda contract you signed but going bankrupt will get you out of the contract. You still lose the $25,000.

    Maybe you can get him on misrepresentation or something
     
    401-Alex and Puppage Thank this.
  6. Trucking in Tennessee

    Trucking in Tennessee Road Train Member

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    You didn't check the VIN on the truck you were buying and compare it to the title he furnished you (I assume) when you plopped down $25,000? That's a very expensive lesson. I am sorry for your loss, but that was just plain stupid. It's not the way you do business. When money is concerned there are no friendships.
     
    Badmon, 401-Alex, Deadwood and 3 others Thank this.
  7. REO6205

    REO6205 Road Train Member

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    You're in a rough spot and you already know there's no way out. Find a bankruptcy attorney and take your losses before you dig yourself in any farther than you are now.
    If it's going to take you four and a half years to save up 25 grand you can probably do better working for somebody else.
    You gave it your best shot but you made some bad decisions and you were gypped too. Learn from it and move on.
     
  8. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    high plains colorado
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    I agree with REO, pickup your trousers and try again. Sadly, you aren't alone in this scenario. The old "bait and switch" crosses many lines. You seem to have the customers, I'd try again. I think a bank will see it that way, all you need is another truck, BUT, did you learn something? I hope so, and btw, I think "Mr. Garbageman" you dealt with would be getting a visit from some pals from Jersey,,,:naka:
     
    Mike2633, 650cat425, AModelCat and 2 others Thank this.
  9. Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    Have your friends/business partners from New Jersey call and he will gladly write you refund check.

     
  10. REO6205

    REO6205 Road Train Member

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    I just read my first post again and it comes across a little bit harsh. I didn't mean to say that the OP hadn't tried his best. He's obviously a hard worker and ambitious . It's too bad that in this day and age ambition and a good work ethic aren't enough to guaranty success.
     
  11. Atlanta trucker

    Atlanta trucker Road Train Member

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    Alabama 3 did that song , fantastic band puts on a very very good live show
     
    Brandt Thanks this.
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