I need to Pick your Brains for a few days. Need O/O w/Authority that does own Papwrk

Posted threads in past and never seem to get but a vague answer. So I really could use advice on many small things as I'm VERY Close to pulling the trigger to be an O/O with Authority. Don't need secrets . Just odd stuff to operate with. Interested in emailing and answering a lot of small questions PLEASE message me private . Thanks. Hope ALL are staying safe and making Money!!

 

Post up the questions and let people answer them on here so the information is available for others in your same situation.

 

You're going to get a variety of answers because everybody has to find their own "best way". I factor rather than do quick pay and get a great fuel discount through my factor. Other guys will tell you I've sold my soul to Lucifer himself by factoring. Ask away, I'll answer if I feel I have anything of value to add. I don't reply to every thread I read because I may or may not have a good answer or it's an "it depends" question.

 

Here ya go DD. Do own taxes? Programs you use.(Like trucknpro seems to be easy and decent). Heard first year the big good brokers won't use me so where all recommend i start to get good loads from? Best Tractor/Engine Fuel economy,Nice riding? Cali compliant. Have to have that. Shall I buy new or used? Best Fax/Copier all in one O/O use for working a deal with Broker. Best fuel card. That's a start. Thanks all for help.

 

And that's exactly what I want. Many answers so I can dissect what i think is best for me. Keep in mind just cause I'm asking doesn't mean I don't know some of these things. I can be teetering on a few decisions.

 

I use both NASTC and OOIDA a lot...NASTC for the fuel card, use Big Road logs which can now be used through NASTC; invoicing/accounting through their system, though, have to say I may not keep that next year; use ITS for compliance and fuel taxes and again, that is part of the NASTC plan. Went to OOIDA for the drug/alcohol consortium, you can do it through NASTC but have to collect it yourself...chose not to get that up close and person with my driver. Got insurance through OOIDA, though I had an issue in that I own another truck leased to another company and many insurers would not work with me on that, so there are some brokers that will not accept insurance through OOIDA, Landstar being the biggest I suppose. Some carriers/brokers are now requiring General Liability as well, though it's not a legal requirement to have it, I went ahead and got it. And you're right, some brokers/carriers will require you to wait 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, 6 months one told me and one even said a year before they would work with a new carrier. I do use quick pay - though you can sign up with a factoring company, again through NASTC, that requires no minimum or restrictive contract. Tried it without, sitting on $15,000 in A/R right now which I would prefer a substantial portion be in my account. When I've 'made' it and don't require quick pay or a factoring company, that's one thing, but paying fuel and driver long before getting paid - unless you've got a ton of money available, it's pretty much necessary. So - that's it for my thoughts after two months...to make money you either need to get really good rates or spend as little as you can by saving here and there..ideally both. Think you might have one strike against you by living in Florida, from what I've seen, depending on what kind of trailer you'll be pulling, at least with rates getting out of there. Good luck...

 

Hey there. I just got started and was worried about brokers using a new company. We found that there were a few that wouldn't but most would work with us. The brokers have been easy to work with and we have exceeded our goal on our min rate per mile. We use ITS and OOIDA load board. We use OOIDA's fuel card through fleet one and signed up for Loves fuel card (its not good at all but our driver likes loves the best). I hear good things about NASTC so we are thinking about paying to sign up for them just for the fuel card.

 

1), IFTA taxes and 2), IRP records (I use): Pro Miles...its an on-line based program. I buy the subscription for a month and file my IFTA taxes.

3), Federal Tax 2290-i file using online program Tax2290.Com.

4), Federal Tax 1040-i use an online program FreeTaxUSA.Com ...this program ask questions where I fill in the blank and the online software automatically provides the proper forms and fills out the "tax Credit" form too.

5), Factoring Companies are an education on terminology alone: like recourse. (percentage of the gross is important.)

6), The FMCSA web site allows you to look up Brokers info...big question, what am I seeing when reviewing the broker? how about when does the Brokers Bond expire, they also name the Insurance provider & their phone#, this info allow you to call the insurance company and find out if any claims have been filed against the broker.( one claim and that is equal to a broker starting the process to losing their bond.)

7), Drug Testing Consortium- Lab Works, online bill payment

8), Insurance provider, the overall Carrier is Great West, the agent: Jeffers Insurance, San Antonio,Tx. (for myself, they have preformed with very nice rates.)

 

Load Board: Internet Truck Stop

Brokers...humph

Try using the Farmers Almanac, (knowing what produce is growing, when the produce is growing and where the produce is growing is helpful when using the yellow pages to make your cold call to producers...brokers use the same model, they maybe the beginning but their not the end.)

 

1) I use APEX for factoring. They charge a percentage based on how old the invoice gets. I have my fuel card through them and get very good discounts which basically pays for my factoring cost. That's also how I do my credit checks on brokers or shippers. The MOST I've paid is 3.5% for an invoice that went out to 45 days. Usually it's 2.5 - 3%. They also have Trip Pac which I am just starting using so I can send my paperwork and do everything online; I used to wait and FEDEX all my stuff after 2-3 trips.

2) I do my own taxes using H & R Blocks tax program. It's not great for "trucking" but it gets the job done and if you are semi familiar with what you need then you can make it work. I'm leaning towards getting a CPA because I think what I would pay them would most likely be less than what I could potentially get back extra from using them. Plus less headaches for me.

3) There are a few brokers that won't load you until you have 6 months or a year but most don't care.

4) I use OOIDA for drug testing. Reasonably priced and they are great if you have questions.

5) I got insurance through Goodman-Baker in Oklahoma. Probably the best insurance agent I have ever encountered. Fair rates and the service is beyond great. My policies are with Great West who are also good to work with if something comes up.

6) I would not buy a new truck. Buy a good used truck; preferably an SCR truck if you're going to run Cali which means '11 or newer. You'll pay significantly more but the fuel mileage gains will make up for the additional payment.

That's all I can think of right at the moment. Like I said earlier, there will be tons of different opinions on what you should do but only you can figure out how best to run your business. Good Luck!