STOP RUNNING CHEAP FREIGHT!!

You might be right. 50 years ago a similar thing was going on. Former classmates of mine were buying $$$ stuff. I asked my dad as we wrenched on older gear. “They are doing custom work for cash. Underbidding everyone. They are making minimum payments to stop repossession. After nearly two years of half, late payments they declared bankruptcy. Seems they had many, many creditors. Tires were flat, covers, parts missing. Seems they had relative in system. They bought back equipment that looked tough. *even used welder to burn off paint on factory welds* bought 50% price or less. Free, and clear. Iirc 8 years bankruptcy removed?
I told dad I wanted to do that. Mom said if I did Christmas dinner would be only meal of hers I would ever eat. So I did not. *I think I would have gotten thanksgiving, Easter, my Birthday* but still not worth it to risk.

 

It's even easier when they have a network of people to import from out of the country too. They know they'll never face any real punishment since they just roll out once the current ship sinks.