What other owner operators will not tell you when you are new.

I skipped most posts. You don't have to use brokers. Plenty of people that went out and got their own direct freight. Granted some people strike it lucky with a friend in the right spot to start off but most don't. They are a tool and nothing more

 

Sooo if you don’t like brokers then don’t use them.
Just haul for your customers and continue to grow your business by adding new additional customers.

 

My experience was quite different. I didn't have my own authority but I did go through OOIDA for physical damage and occupational accident. I never had to file a claim so I can't speak for how they handle that aspect but I found their customer service people to be very friendly and extremely helpful. My fuel cost was closer to 50cpm. I was paying for it, I was all about mpg. I didn't love dealing with brokers but I did develop a working relationship with one during the few months that I was out there. I dedicated 18k out of my savings to trucking. I put 5600 down on a truck and hit the road last June. In February I decided that the fantasy was better than the reality and decided to move back in with the wife and kids. During that time I payed myself a modest weekly salary, covered all expenses including a massive weekly payment to SFI, payed my taxes, covered the penalty for turning the truck in early and I still have 28k in that business account. I paid myself less than i make as a company driver so id say ending up with 10k more than i started with means I'm pretty much where i would have been financially if I'd just stayed put. I'm glad I did it, and I'm glad I got out. Now I know what the other side deals with. It didn't cost me anything to find out but I can sure see how a guy could go broke in a hurry out there. I have a lot of respect for the guys that grind it out for the long run and do whatever it takes to make it happen.

 

So many are willing to jump in and do business with the thieves, as they’re being called, when loads outnumber trucks. But now the trucks way outnumber available loads so all brokers must be done away with.

If you’re willing to play with the snake then don’t be surprised when you get bit. If things are so dire you can let your authority go and lease to a carrier. Your overhead will be considerably lower and you’ll have access to that lucrative contract freight.

 

I'm just chomping at the bit waiting for a flood of used trucks to hit the market. Cause I'm in the market

 

Your paying a 250k note on a 6 year old truck aren’t you?

 

There is theives in every business.. Its part of it. Stick it up their ### or get it stuck up yours.. Your choice.