mercer transportation

It's a guy on here who was leased to Landstar and then when he got his own numbers he still haul for the same agents. His loads don't even touch their load board.

 

They do deduct the payment straight from the settlements, but that is the extent of Mercer's involvement.

 

I have talked to a few drivers over the past couple weeks here that are all going to admiral merchants. Most of them have been here for awhile, I understand 99% of their complaints. But it's not anything I would personally leave Mercer over.

It really boils down to if you can make the best out of being leased on at Mercer, I can, just as many of you have. I think a lot of people think the grass is greener on the other side, I'm 2 busy with my grass to pay attention to that.

I have a very close friend at LS & he pulls van there, he is killing it. He has been for over 2 years. Agent/driver relationship I guess. Either way you look at it, not a single company out here is perfect, I just found what is perfect for me!!!!

 

They do deduct the money weekly and send a check to quality at the end of the month.

 

I can understand why the guys who have been here awhile are leaving. Their bottom lines has to be affected by the large amount of hiring that Mercer has done... It seems like nobody wants to admit the elephant in the room but it's clear to see.. The immense hiring has hurt drivers that have been here and they don't like it.. I met a guy last week at my pick up.. His truck was filthy so I already knew what to expect from him.. And it was a quality truck. His exact words were he dont care as long as the freight pays more than 1.10 he'll run it.. And he said he's doing well.. That mentality is the reason why the agents here as well as Mercer are dropping the rates so much.. Let alone our "fuel discount" because lord knows when u call and complain about the rates that's their go to line. Well the fuel is cheap... That's not gonna cut it and the old timers here are feeling the pinch....I remember @TruckerPete1990 had put up a post a couple weeks about his average for all miles on the flat side was like 1.46 or something to that affect.. That's bad to me for flatbed.. And with the guy who I met theory on running anything he can find im sure there are more drivers here who have the same work ethic.. If that's the truth Mercer will never higher rates because they don't have to.. And it will continue to get worse... Just my opinion!!!

 

The market sets the rate. October was down 55 percent on flat bed loads shipped vs a year ago. that's not never loads, that's ask the loads in the country. it's called a recession.

Fir as long as I've been hearing about his all the old timers are leaving, it's amazing we got ahh old timers left. It's the trucking industry, turnover is always going to be high. And it has nothing to do with quality trucks, and everything to do with so many thinking the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

 

Hey man we all know times are bad.. And i know you've been awhile and it works for you.. But you can't deny the overall atmosphere has changed since the hiring of so many drivers.. Everyone is talking about it.. And someone is playing with the rates.. There was a load on the board booked for 1.50.. Someone I know booked the load then the agent called and said the rate changed to 1.29.. Of course he told the agent to go jump off a bridge but someone else took the load I'm assuming. Why because they have to make that payment every week.. That sets the tone for the future loads..Its not always about thinking the grass is greener all the time.. I'll never go down with a ship I think is sinking grass greener or not.. That's a business decision

 

I can see your point here, but I think it will have a slightly different outcome. First, the guy pulling $1.10 (van?) freight. He says he is doing OK and he might be. But my guess is he looked out there and said to himself 'XYZ MEGA pays .90¢ + FSC and I'm getting $1.10'. He doesn't know any better. Well that's going to be why in Febuary he will be walking away from his lease. My guess is he has little or no reserve. Probably has nothing set aside for taxes and obviously can't afford a truck wash.

I also tend to see/believe that rates are down everywhere. I also have no problem finding parking spots at night. That tells me that fewer trucks are running. That is the start to the fix right there. The big influx of lease drivers will turn into a big out flux sooner or later. When that happens rates will start rising again. The smart ones remember the lean times and set $ aside for it. Many will not survive, but those that do will be stronger then ever.

I've never called and asked about a rate. I've been called and asked what it would take for me to haul a load. I've given my price. I have had agents counter offer. I've had them say to high. And I've had say OK. I even had an agent say no then call me back 10 minutes later and say OK. But I've never complained to anyone about posted rates.

 

Ooooppppppssssssss

 

Thanks @CJndaTruck