Did you haul today? 4/1/08

Thirteen days and counting. Are we making a difference? Fuel prices have dropped by almost forty cents a gallon around here since the first of the month, although they have crept back up three cents per gallon over the weekend. Maybe we are making a strong statement but I don't think it is doing a lot of good across the country. I just got off of the phone with a friend in Alberta, fuel is over $5.00 per gallon. I got a call from my biggest customer today, he wants me to come in for a meeting tomorrow.

WrightK,

I couldn't agree more about being educated, especially about running a business. I think that the best piece of advice that I can offer is stop going through a broker to get your work. To me , that is like paying someone to tie your shoes for you. Either you just don't know how to do it or you are just too lazy to do it yourself. You are going to the main source to pick up your load, why would you need someone to tell to go. If there is an industry near you, chances are they need haulers to deliver or receive product. You don't need to run all over this country to make good money. Stay with the local loads until you need a change of scenery. If you say that you have to go through a broker to get work, you haven't made a good enough impression on the folks that you have done work for or they would want you back. Be punctual, do what you say you can do, never say that you can do it quicker then someone else, just do it better. Have pride in your abilities. Don't show up dirty, with your shirt un-tucked and smelling like you haven't showered in three days. Get a hair cut, keep your facial hair trimmed, show up clean and ready to represent your customer. Most of the time, you are the only person that makes a face to face contact. You are a representative of that company, employee or not. Face it, we live in a society where you are judged by your appearance, don't look like you are a mass murderer and expect to get more or any work.
I know first hand how dirty you get driving. I drive in some of the dirtiest conditions out there. Hauling out of the woods is either muddy or dusty, I drop and hook to five or more loads every day. I'm either dusty, muddy or covered with wood chips after every load, but before I arrive to my destination, I'm clean. I stop at a fuel center, wash off my boots at the pump, there is always water at most fuel stops at the pump. I go inside and wash up, hands, face, whatever is dirty. I keep a clean shirt in the truck , just for delivery purposes. I could go on with this but I think I have made my point. Have PRIDE in yourself and what you do! You will have more work then you know what to do with. That's when you get to name your price, if you are worth it, you will get it!
logs&chips