The odds are in favor of the house

Where are these so called "good leases". Just curious. You claim that they exist but you haven't offered any proof of such a thing. I just had a Dart recruiter hang up on me when I started running the numbers that she gave to me about their lease program. If the driver doesn't mind making $600 per week before income taxes, and being gone otr most of the time to do it, then I guess you could call it a good deal. It only takes a calculator to figure out the end result providing they aren't lying to you on how many miles per week that you will actually get. I haven't found a "good deal" yet and I've been looking for years.

 

Worked 41 weeks last year ... $74K to the truck after operating expenses ... $55K to my pocket after taxes and out of pocket expenses ... 127K miles.

I run OTR ... go out for anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks - sometimes more ... come home for 7 to 18 days. When I 'm home for 18 days the first week out the business is not in the "hole" ... The business will at least break even.

I don't have to run OTR ... I could be on a dedicated route that gets me to the house for an overnight after 3 days and a 34 every week, running 3k plus miles each week ... I run OTR because I chose to. Routine boors me.

When you're pushing numbers, you're looking for the floor. The question is do you believe you have the abilty to manage the business to go beyond that floor. You don't seem to have the belief ... most of the people who get into leases have the belief ... unfortunately they don't have the abilty.

Numbers don't lie. But numbers are malleable. If you work 40 you weeks a year, an extra $25 saved or earned adds a $1000 to your year end bottom line. And your year end is where you need to be managing to, not week to week.

The two biggest variables are the cost of fuel and miles ... increase your mpg, decrease the cost of fuel, increase your miles, go for a lease with banded pay and focus on the higher paying miles or go for a lease that has a percentage pay where you have choice on the loads you take. And look for accessorial opportunities - stop pay, detention, unload.

 

There are a few good leases and a lot of bad ones. I did work as a company driver and talk to lease purchase drivers away from the terminal and get the truth. Also how many drivers own their trucks? I mean own, title in their name. I did lease purchase two tractors from May Trucking. ( not at the same time) paid them off on time. Got clear title in my name with no problem both times. I would still be there except I developed severe night blindness. I retired at 62.

 

then you havent looked... I cite Schneider's Choice program. No I don't expect that you'll investigate. It wouldn't fit into your sermon.

 

I like the way you call it a sermon when in fact it's just the truth based on facts of true events. I report truthfully here in hopes to warn others of rotten people and companies in this country that would steal candy from a baby if they thought they could get away with it. I do so hoping that others don't get ripped off or taken advantage of. I also come here to hear true stories of good companies and tell them if I have them. Unfortunately there aren't nearly enough of those. You can call Dart and talk to the same recruiter (Peggy) that I did, and I'm sure you will find that they tell you the same information that they told me. Based on her information it's a recipe for a rotten deal where the company plans on profiting off selling a truck to a driver, and then later repossessing said truck and sell it to the next unsuspecting chump that comes along.
For the record I have been calling around to different lease programs. I have my eye on a couple that don't look to bad, but I'm still gathering more information and consulting my friends that are owner operators about the programs. If I go the lease to own route, I will be reporting the results here for all to see whether good or bad.

 

Rent a job. Lol

 

Good post bro, I am thinking about leasing at my current company they offer no down payment after one year of employment Truck must have over 300,000miles ,, any advice you can give me?

 

Rollin' On, what may be unacceptable to you as far as net revenue or take home pay could be acceptable to someone else. For example a financially impaired driver with no credit and no money who wants to own his/her own truck and is willing to live in it until it is paid in full. The L/P is an opportunity for them.
I know there are some " fleece not purchase" programs but NOT all if them are. Even with an honest L/P program, the contractor must be efficient, make wise choices and put unnecessary expenditures on hold. Remembering they are going into business with no money. It's not easy but itcan be done.

 

Ya but, what smart person enters a business with no money besides a fool?