Under $2/mile loads with $6/gal diesel.

I bought my truck on August 2nd, received my MC on August 19th, got my CDL on September 15th, bought my trailer on September 16th and ran my first load September 20th. And now I’m broke because the brokers won’t part with my fair share. HaHa. Just kidding, I have more $3+/ mile freight than I can haul. My phone literally rings all day. People calling that know I won’t haul for less than $3. Whether its a broker or shipper your job is to make their job easy. This is a customer service industry and you have to stand out as the guy that will make it happen. For example, the night before pickup the broker calls with the news the receiver can’t accept the delivery on the scheduled date. I can pickup a day later or he can take me off the load. It was 1800 miles @ $3.75. The receiver has now caused 3 people heartburn, the broker, the shipper and the carrier. The broker doesn’t want to find another carrier. In his mind this load was money in the bank. The shipper wants it gone so he can invoice it. Does no good sitting on his dock. Only the carrier can simplify everyone’s life. “How about I just pick it up in the morning and drive slow.” The broker couldn’t believe it, the shipper was thrilled to have it gone and I was waiting at the receiver the second they could accept it. I’ve since run another load for the same broker,shipper,receiver combo and the broker emails everyday with loads in the area I’m at.
Also you have to sell yourself all the time. And the most effective way is not through words but actions and perceptions. I won’t show up with dirty equipment. Inside and out clean and well organized. When I step out I’m showered, shaved and have on clean work clothes. No stains or tears. Steel toed boots, cut proof gloves, safety glasses, safety vest and hard hat are already on. And a SMILE on my face. The 3 hours of stop and go traffic you just experienced isn’t the customer’s problem. I’m running open deck so I have more equipment than a van or reefer driver. I have a 13” enclosed vault for a rack and 2 60” toolboxes on the trailer. I show up with 10 chains, 10 binders snap and ratchet, locks for the snap, 20 sliding winches, 28 4” straps neatly rolled and stored in the vault, 22 3’ V-Boards, 40 8” edge protectors, 20 4” edge protectors, 8 2” ratchet straps, coil racks, coil pads, dunnage, 4’ and 6’ tarps, enough furniture blankets to cover the load, 200 bungee cords, 150’ of rope and 200’ of para-cord. 2 winch bars and a broom. I’m sure I’m forgetting stuff but hopefully you see my point. I come prepared. Who are they going to call next time? The guy that showed up in a condo with no rack and a trailer with 10 winches equipped with frayed worn out straps or me? Many will scoff at this because I’m new and don’t know. And you are correct I am brand new as a carrier. But I spent years as a customer of this industry shipping tens of millions of dollars on open deck. So I know a little about what the customer wants.

 

How does your phone ring all day on a new authority? Many don't even work with new MCs.

 

That’s hilarious!!

 

Do you read anything people post or just blabber the first thought that comes to your head ?

Your question was answered in the first 6 sentences of his post. He built a relationship with a broker, and solved a problem they had with their customer... the broker found a lot of value in the carriers ability to solve this problem and is giving him access to freight all day every day, wherever he wants... hence the phone ringing all day everyday... I would only guess that is not the only person he works with, So multiply that scenario by however many times and you get your answer.

It's obvious by all your posts thatyou think there is only 1 way to play this game. and you can't wrap your head around the concept that a brand new carrier already has worked lined up that doesn't involve jerking off to the load boards all day

 

That’s one of the great lies in this industry. I suspect started to keep people out. There are over 17,000 brokerages in the US. How many have you called to back your statement? When ranking brokerages by revenue I’m setup with the 3 largest and 9 of the the top 20, several small local brokerages and a local flatbed company. ATS, Prime, TMC, JB Hunt and Circle Logistics require 90 days but most of their stuff looks like junk they won’t put on their own trailers. Also while the south is being flooded with open deck because everyone wants out of the cold, I’m loading in MI and dropping in MN on Tuesday where is forecast 25° at unload.

 

Your phone does not "literally ring all day" as a new single truck operator just like that.
There has got to be more to the story than going of your way on a load one time and showing up to customers with a clean truck.

My reading ability is just fine, thank you for asking.

 

The question is in that scenario would you have sat on the load for an extra day or would you have given it back and moved on?

 

You know, I'm not sure if I believe you or not. Your pedigree is poor, and your planning is worse.
That said, if what you're saying is true, (and the good Lord knows that you've said things I wouldn't admit to), well then, rock on and best wishes. Sincerely.

 

It rings 4-8 times a day which is obviously more than yours rings.
Yes it’s more than a clean truck. Didn’t your reading abilities pick up on the $5k of equipment I’ve invested in that a lot of guys didn’t. And yes there is even more but I’m not training my competition. I’ve always tried to be polite on this board but you’ve basically called me a liar in your last two reply’s so I’m done. You be you, starting threads about rates crashing, and I’ll be be me averaging over $3/mile for ALL miles.

 

Please enlighten me about my poor pedigree and planning. And to add credence to post tell me about your pedigree.