I am a recently unemployed truck driver and Owner operator, I lost my truck and job due to an accident and law suit, now for what ever reason I cannot obtain employment, so I have decided to look into a business in which I would provide a service to truck drivers only, to pickup groceries and other supplies you guys need, and deliver them to you wherever you are, ie, loading or unloading docks, truck stops, rest areas etc, I am in the Omaha NE , Council Bluffs IA area, Please let me know if this is something that you drivers are interested in, I would be available 24 hrs a day 7 days a week.
That service sort of exists. They're called "Roach Coaches". From 2 sides I can see a problem. I'd be loathe to give money to a stranger to go "get" me stuff...and if you fronted for the drivers, many times you'd come back to an empty parking spot.
In addition to the aforementioned issues I have to add cost. Things are already expensive and you would have to jack prices to make it pay. Drivers are already getting robbed by the high price of "convenience" and will be unwilling to pay more.
The only thing like this that I do use is in russellvile ar. The candy man. He has supplies that he has already purchased. He deals in bulk. His prices are pretty good and he has name brand stuff no junk. I buy beef jerky from him. I usually get 4 boxes. He sales it for 6 bucks a box. I tell him I will give you 20 bucks for 4 boxes. It is the best jerky I have had. If I were to buy it by the piece I think I figured it up one time and it would cost around 90 bucks. He usually sets up at the pilot, but lately he has not been there. I was there for 5 hours the other day and he wasn't. Last few times I have went thru there I hollered on the radio and he did not answer.
I like the idea, but agree with some of the issues that were mentioned. If I'm laid over for that long, I usually can use my GPS and Google street view to find a grocery store with adequate parking. I may only use your kind of service in an urgent situation. I don't know if those Redbox movie rental machines operate on a franchise basis. But you may look into that. Of course, you'd probably need some capital to get started. But I'd like to see a lot more of those set up at truck stops.
Why just specialize in truckers ? Many cities have a "take out taxi" that offers delivery service for restaurants that don't offer it on their own . They get quite a business from hotels . There are also services that do things like renew vehicle registrations and pick up parcels at the post office for people that don't want to take the time to do it themselves .
Hmmm....trucker's taxi comes to mind. Many times I'd been stuck in a stop wanting to go to bars (back when I drank) or hit the grocery stores or whatever, but wasn't allowed to go anywhere. And regular taxi's cost WAAAAY too much. Maybe a little bus or van, capable of six passengers and luggage.
