Maybe O/O could answer this question about competing with large trucking companies

You are so right stayinback.

 

Yes I do. Because when the cheaper outfit doesn't show up for the PU they will have to pay me to DH over there at the last minute. Likely they will also have to pay their employees OT to get me loaded. And reschedule the crane crew to unload on Saturday instead of Friday. Not to mention the embarrassment and charge backs the shipper must endure from their customer who is buying stuff that is worth several hundred thousand dollars. So how is that 15% saving looking now?

Only where service doesn't matter.

Three weeks ago I loaded a piece of equipment at night. Next AM I saw it was damaged from the fork lift. I knew it was not going to work for the consignee. Also knew it was going to screw me up and delay me at least a day. I thought about not saying anything and just delivering anyway. In the end I reported the damage and they paid me to wait 24 hrs while they fixed it. Can you imagine what it would have cost in delays and reputation to truck the old one back to the plant, repair it and re-deliver? You have to operate as though it's your freight.

 

Rank,like i said,i hope you keep your clients for many years.

I drive tankers and up to 5-6 y ago i was also thinking service would beat price and at that time it did.
Now no more,price is all that matters.
It is sad but once it goes like that,nothing you can do about it.

Goodluck in the future.

 

Yes I Do.....

The large Carriers AND Brokers stick their Nose in Many Customers i Have here in chicago, They Have every Right to, BUT the Loyalty I Get from My Customers is Far Beyond any 3pl/Mega carrier's 'Dog and pony show'........

My Customers Not only dont have the time and Patiewnce to sit around with Sales Pitches Promising "Service"..They'll pay a touch More for good service rather than Save a Few Bucks.

I Have a customer in Aurora,Il , They are a Small sized steel/Rebar distributor for many Buyers throughout the country

I Was Overwhelmed with delight a few years back when TMC Transportation sent over 1 of their Sales associates to Talk about securing some business,(which included servicing my lane too)

Sales was politely Turned DOWN ,From my understanding.... MADE MY WEEK!!

 

I haul for a company now that doubles the rates of the previous carrier just because the service we provide. Now remember nothing in trucking is guaranteed or forever. I have been enjoying the ride for three years now, and each year more business, more loads, and more expectations. You have to adjust to the needs cause if you can't somebody else will. One of the affiliate companies I was hauling out of got bought out and money was an issue. I refused to lower my rates just to keep their business. I had 12 trailers tied up in three locations and now what business I lost I gained back after the cheaper carrier couldn't keep up.

 

Yeah I know. Nothing lasts forever. But there is always someone willing to pay for service and it's up to us to find them.

 

I can't and I don't. They're better at what they do and have capabilities that I don't have. If I tried to compete with them I'd be crushed. So I do what I can do best and that tends to also be what they have a hard time doing.

 

Yep. What He said.

 

i don't see why you can't, and why you don't, the way I see it an o/o has allot more to offer than a big carrier does.

big carriers, require mass production, and therefore can afford to cut the rates down to get and keep contracts but there are complications that come along with this. More often or not....

1) carriers are late on p/u and or deliveries
2) carriers allot or the times have older trailers
3) company drivers don't operate trucks as oo so breakdowns may be more prevalent with trucks and trailers.

what can an oo provide

a premium service
on time p/u deliveries
most times (depending on oo) newer trailers, and well maintained equipment (seen a few where I even ask myself how in the world they get around).

oo and small mom pop trucking companies can offer a service, and yes this service may be higher but the drivers and equipment is not only presentable but most times better conditions than some of the megas.

how many times have you walked into a shipper or receiver and a swift, Schneider, Werner, knight etc....goes to check in and when it's your turn the shipper/receiver is just shaking his/her head.

one gets what one pays for unfortunately and most times this creates opportunities for the oo. So there are opportunities out there for oo to jump on.