Direct shippers - tough crowd
Discussion in 'Refrigerated Trucking Forum' started by Marmon110P, Jan 6, 2023.
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Hit it hard for a year and got direct produce seller/farm, invite to bid for a poultry co-op, and a super market national chain customer. 1 truck, can be done. It just takes persistence and a tolerance for overcoming rejection. I listed three successful leads but left out my many failures to close. Most of my issues were failure to get in touch with gatekeeper, having only one trailer, or customer skepticism of me being Americas most elite single truck company
Last edited: Jan 6, 2023
Space Truckin and RubyEagle Thank this. -
I got family at a local plant where I park . Went to school with one of the shipping guys. Hauled their freight at my last company job and that company was bought out. The new carrier doesn’t want to do the local shuttle runs. So everyone involved pitched the idea of having me take over. You would be surprised how much pushback is being given. One plant level manager and some corporate guy are roadblocking any new ideas with ridiculous excuses. I can’t even get a meeting.
They may start to listen once the current carrier finally drops them. I have already moved on. Prices would go way up if they want to pull me off of what I have lined up.
Good luck OP.Space Truckin, Coffey, Marmon110P and 2 others Thank this. -
Nolelover61 and GreenPete359 Thank this.
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Don't let some of these guys tell you direct is the only way.... Its very very difficult to even get your foot in the door as 1 truck guy as you have seen...Last edited: Jan 6, 2023
PSM379, Nolelover61, Space Truckin and 3 others Thank this. -
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hotrod1653 and GreenPete359 Thank this.
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OK, so just to clarify, I have not made any phone calls or sent emails for initial contact. I believe that showing up in person shows the initiative and willingness that most others wont do. As I mentioned to every one of em, anyone can make a call or send an email, but how many are going to show that they are serious by taking the time to show up in person to discuss things...BUT that doesnt seem to be working out to well...why wouldnt it??
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Starting out i relied on past acquaintances people i’ve worked for or with, Got word out threw word of mouth threw friends & family that i now had an available truck. Before long people were cold calling me.
Stay as local as possible with this. Build yourself a “brand”. You want people three towns over talking about you like they know who you are. Make sure you keep the truck and a trailer visible when it’s not working. Let people see you when they drive past your house. Your truck is a free roadside billboard.
Pull up in the driveway of other local o/o’s around the house. Make some friends, trust me it helps.jbatmick, Coffey and Marmon110P Thank this. -
Because you show up at an inopportune time.
Because they hate getting cold called for something they don't need. Think about a door to door salesman- does anyone really want that?
I'm not saying that showing up in person is a bad idea - far from it. But effective sales includes a variety of approaches. A phone call/email or two ahead of time can help break the ice and give you more information to make a solid pitch when you show up in person. Or it can tell you "ahh heck no, I ain't hauling poop for this guy".
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