Thanks, Pepper24 — I really appreciate that. What you said about Mercer’s brokerage tactics is exactly in line with how they handled me as a lease driver: cut corners, misrepresent terms, and always default to the lowest payout. Your story about them agreeing to a rate and then backing out ten minutes later? That’s exactly the kind of “oops, sorry — take the lower rate” game they played with me at the end of my lease, except they used the legal system to do it.
And it’s funny you mention TQL — I’ve had my own share of experiences with them too. Took a couple of loads from them, and after driving hundreds of miles to get to the shipper, I’d get the call: “Oh, sorry, the load’s been cancelled.” Only to find out later it wasn’t cancelled at all — they just found another driver to haul it cheaper. TQL’s got a well-earned reputation for playing those games.
So the fact that Mercer — as you said — is considered even lower than TQL on the brokerage side? That says a lot. It’s the same mentality: squeeze the driver, keep the money, and treat the contract like it’s optional if it suits them.
You nailed it here:
“... if you are going to do a LP with a company that doesn’t allow you to take the equipment to another company as long as you continue to make the payments...”
That’s exactly what trapped me. Mercer’s lease-purchase was structured so the only way to pay was through their dispatch settlements. Once they terminated me, I had no path to cure the lease — they’d designed it that way from day one. They used that to repossess the trailer and then sue me anyway for full value plus $60K+ in legal fees — despite the trailer already being back in their possession.
The more I dig, the more I see it’s the same game: whether it’s brokers or drivers, they’re using contracts and fine print to flip the table whenever it suits them.
Thanks for sharing your story. Drivers — and even brokers — need to hear this stuff.
Mercer Trailer Lease – What Happened After They Took My Trailer Back
Discussion in 'Report A BAD Trucking Company Here' started by MercerLeaseTruth, May 20, 2025.
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Rule #1…..never let your banker control your income. If you can’t afford a trailer on your own you probably shouldn’t try and lease purchase one from the company who controls your freight.
MercerLeaseTruth, LOTSO, gentleroger and 1 other person Thank this. -
Which begs the question- why did you sign the lease agreements?Albertaflatbed, Savor the Flavor, LOTSO and 1 other person Thank this. -
The real problem is how companies like Mercer use these lease-purchase deals as recruiting tools — they make it sound like an opportunity, but in reality, it’s just another way to get drivers in the door. And once you’re in, they can turn that lease into a weapon if they decide they’re done with you. -
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I have a friend who actually paid off his flatbed trailer with Mercer. The reason he left was because when he was headed home for Christmas, he got a surprise inspection. The funny part was that he was bobtail when they hit him. Well, he reported it to Mercer and they ripped his driver file apart. Mind you, this man had been there for years and had a stellar driving record to boot. He didn't care. He just started his own authority until he decided to take a break. So, it's not unheard of for Mercer to destroy a driver any way they can.
MercerLeaseTruth Thanks this. -
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It’s like they treat any little issue as an excuse to reset the deal or push the driver out — even if you’re in good standing and have a clean record. It’s one thing when a driver’s messing up. But when it’s the company going after guys like your friend who already proved they could run, that’s a whole different story.
Thanks for sharing this — it’s a perfect example of why these lease-purchase programs are never really about the driver owning the equipment in the end.TB John, Voodoo Pyg and Gearjammin' Penguin Thank this. -
Have noticed with Mercer and if you look at the truck numbers, you rarely see very many trucks with the truck number under the 21,000 series number you don’t see a lot of old timers there anymore. Only sparingly have I come across a truck in the 14 15, 16 17or 18 series in the last couple years…
MercerLeaseTruth and Voodoo Pyg Thank this. -
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