Okay, so I bought a used truck from Crete Carrier.

Not looking to get into a pissing contest. I have done this with another carrier. Ended up getting less than 200-miles a day and my best week was taking home $232. Thought I was screwed and a very nice man at OOIDA put me in touch with an attorney that explained that if the terms of my finance agreement, regardless if it is with the company, a subsidiary or independent, I am protected under the L/P terms of the fair credit act. They could not hold me to the agreement if they would not allow me to take my truck and go to another carrier (they can keep you from having your own authority).

Sent a letter asking to be released. Was told no in a very nasty letter. Then had the attorney send a letter that detailed my income. He was told no in a not so nasty letter.

While getting all my ducks lined up to go to battle I got a call saying that they would load me to the terminal and I could drop the keys off. The attorney called their attorney and walked them thru the law.

Now all this only matters if you get hurt or stop getting miles. BUT you have done a lot more homework than most do in you situation and you have more protection than someone like me with a tradition financing source.

 

$200 forget driveing I'm gonna start serviceing APU's! Do a couple a day out of a pick up truck and whoo hoo

 

I am curious as to if your qual comm has been retrofitted with e-logs yet or what the company is going to do about it?

 

I was just thinking the same thing!!!!

There is a guy here in the little town where I live who rents out the old truck-stops repair shop. It's just him, and few jacks, tool-box and a big concrete floor. He charges $50 a hr labor rate and mainly only does brakes, minor stuff and some tires. You have to bring your own parts, but he is always busy. Especially since the shops around here (chicago area) are over $105hr labor, and all the steel haulers swear by him for brake jobs..... he's got it made.

 

The company is in process of switching to elogs. Was told second hand the process is projected to be completed by the end of 2013.

 

I completely understand your concerns about leasing to the same company one would also purchase their truck through. It is most definetly valid. However, like RB pointed out, Crete is not the typical L/P trucking company. Management has gone to great lenghts to insure the O/O's success. Only those with a low work ethic will fail and that is not the companies fault.

As to your concerns about not being able to move the truck somewhere else while financed through Crete's subsidiary bank, without giving to much away I will just say that if the O/O and Crete just can't see eye to eye, there are options Crete will allow the O/O to persue. I had a conversation with management some months ago on this very subject as it was a question a potential O/O I was conversing with had. The last thing Crete wants to do is take the truck back. They want the O/O to succeed.

 

When i was leased to Schneider, I was on their "pilot" program for the MCP200 Elog. I honestly found it a big HELP!!!! I didn't mind, I always booked loads with plenty of time and it was nice not having to try to remember at the end of the night "What time was it I fueled, or took that lunch break"

I was a bit lazy on paperwork LOL