Are There Any Honest Fleet Owners In The Expediting Business?
- Thread starter HockeyRob
- Start date
Wolfie62
Seasoned Expediter
Sorry to say it, but I have had discussions with many dishonest fleet owners. Red flags go up somewhere during the early discussions. I have driven for 5 owners.......1 was honest. Most owners are worse than used car salesmen--they will say anything to get a driver(s) into that truck, and deal with the truth later. I believe that's because the owners don't take care of their equipment as they should, so they have to be less than truthful to get drivers. Let me prove my point......how many truck owners out there (just look at the classifieds in here TODAY.) provide pictures of the truck they advertise as available? Most do not......red flag. How many post pictures that are RECENT, and actually are of the truck available? Few. How many really give details of the truck, or their contract, in the ad? Virtually NONE. And there is another tactic that most owners use to their advantage......location of the available truck---most owners know that the prospective drivers have not seen the truck until they rent a one-way car to pick up the truck, then are too far committed to turn back, when the driver can see that the truck has MANY problems, or the pictures posted do not match the truck (there is one posted in the classifieds TODAY that makes my point). I recently drove 300 miles to look at a truck that was available, and after spending hours on the phone. I knew I had been "had" when I pulled into the parking lot of the truck stop. The sleeper was at least 12 inches shorter than 96" as the owner had said, the windshield had multiple cracks in it, there were loose wires dangling under the truck, one drive tire was BADLY scalloped, many marker lites were gone, the liftgate cylinders had leaked puddles of oil under them on the pavement, the inside of the truck was worn and dirty, the straps holding the upper bunk were gone, the inverter was hanging by one screw inside the sleeper, etc, etc.
While not as dramatic, Diane and I had similar experiences with some of the fleet owners we signed on with or considered.
One sent us the correct photo of the truck but when we pre-tripped it for the first time, a lighting defect was found. That truck sat in his yard for weeks and he delivered it to us with a defect that could have easily been detected and corrected ahead of time.
It is often the case that a fleet owner will try to get free labor out of a new driver to run the truck here and there to get repairs done, not with the fleet owner's time and effort but with the driver's.
That same fleet owner failed to maintain his truck well and we left because the down time was costing us too much in lost time and lost runs.
Another fleet owner told us the truck we would drive had been detailed inside and out. He also said the truck had been smoked in but the odor no longer seemed bad to him. This fleet owner did not lie He was a smoker and the odor really did not seem bad to him. As for the detailing part, he did not lie there either, but when we pulled old underwear out of a corner of the sleeper, it became clear that his idea of a detailed truck and ours were quite different. By his standards, the truck really had been detailed; but by our standards, not so. We declined to drive that truck and pursued other opportunities.
Another fleet owner turned out to be the used car salesman type of liar you described (to borrow your stereotype that many car sales people would object to), though he considered himself to be one one of the most righteous, just and God-fearing people who ever graced this earth. Many sins there that hurt us until his true character became known over time and the relationship ended.
It pays to do good research when finding a fleet owner, but even when you do your very best, remember that these fleet owners have been at their game longer than you have been at yours. Never enter into a relationship with a fleet owner if you do not have the means to get quickly out.
One sent us the correct photo of the truck but when we pre-tripped it for the first time, a lighting defect was found. That truck sat in his yard for weeks and he delivered it to us with a defect that could have easily been detected and corrected ahead of time.
It is often the case that a fleet owner will try to get free labor out of a new driver to run the truck here and there to get repairs done, not with the fleet owner's time and effort but with the driver's.
That same fleet owner failed to maintain his truck well and we left because the down time was costing us too much in lost time and lost runs.
Another fleet owner told us the truck we would drive had been detailed inside and out. He also said the truck had been smoked in but the odor no longer seemed bad to him. This fleet owner did not lie He was a smoker and the odor really did not seem bad to him. As for the detailing part, he did not lie there either, but when we pulled old underwear out of a corner of the sleeper, it became clear that his idea of a detailed truck and ours were quite different. By his standards, the truck really had been detailed; but by our standards, not so. We declined to drive that truck and pursued other opportunities.
Another fleet owner turned out to be the used car salesman type of liar you described (to borrow your stereotype that many car sales people would object to), though he considered himself to be one one of the most righteous, just and God-fearing people who ever graced this earth. Many sins there that hurt us until his true character became known over time and the relationship ended.
It pays to do good research when finding a fleet owner, but even when you do your very best, remember that these fleet owners have been at their game longer than you have been at yours. Never enter into a relationship with a fleet owner if you do not have the means to get quickly out.
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Wolfie62
Seasoned Expediter
And yes, if the prospective owner does not have phone numbers readily available of drivers for you to talk to, STAY AWAY! They are hiding things. The owners should offset your costs to go see, or pick up the truck--if they are honest, they will have no problems sharing the risk. Get copies of the contract early in the discussions--that document is a two-way street! Think of your worst problems you have had as a driver in the recent past, then present them to the owners during your discussions. See how they would handle it. When you go to see the truck, don't arrive empty-handed! Bring a clipboard with copies of pictures they have provided--make sure they match! Bring your notes of discussions, see if they match what they are presenting as the truck, the offer, the contract. DON'T EVER SIGN A CONTRACT UNTIL YOU HAVE THE TRUCK AND OWNERS IN FRONT OF YOU!!!! See if the owners match the person you talked to earlier; that is, do they change their tune after you see them in person and with the truck in front of you? And finally, make sure YOU HAVE AN EXIT STRATEGY! Don't be afraid to use your trump card---to walk away from the "deal" when you see the first signs of dishonesty. That trump card is your only leverage to getting all the items fixed, the contract true, all your operating parameters agreed to, and put in writing, as well as any misinformation or misunderstandings ironed out.
I could fill pages full of the dishonesty I have seen over the last 5 years in this business.
I could fill pages full of the dishonesty I have seen over the last 5 years in this business.
If you did so, and did so in a journalistic responsible way and were willing to subject your work to my editing, I would be pleased to publish those pages on my web site if EO was not willing to publish them here. Once your work is published, I would post links to them here in the Open Forum, on my blog on the Overdrive magazine web site and on my blog on my web site.
It's good stuff what you wrote above. It would be a service to others if you wrote more.
Wolfie62
Seasoned Expediter
Phil, the site went nuts when I was trying to respond a few minutes ago. Guess it overloaded when we were both posting. Yes, I would be up for it. No names mentioned, etc., and write objectively. For info purposes only, so to speak.
As it turns out, I have archived all the owner contracts I have ever looked at or signed. Some real doozies of examples, good and bad, in those documents. Great food for all readers, drivers and owners alike.
Sometimes I feel that even owners don't pay enough attention to what they are asking; in the end they get exactly what they asked for from a driver/team. And drivers are just as guilty and get exactly the owners/equipment they asked for as well.
My wife and I are currently seeking a truck owner and equipment. We have been on this quest now for nearly 2 months. I am speaking from NOW experiences. We need to work BADLY, but can't afford to get into another mismatch of equipment/owners/drivers.
I very much understand when drivers get desperate, get backed into a corner, and feel they must get on the road, into whatever truck is available at the time. I am having to practice what I preach, right now, here, today.
Perhaps an "Angie's List" in this business would be appropriate.......................
As it turns out, I have archived all the owner contracts I have ever looked at or signed. Some real doozies of examples, good and bad, in those documents. Great food for all readers, drivers and owners alike.
Sometimes I feel that even owners don't pay enough attention to what they are asking; in the end they get exactly what they asked for from a driver/team. And drivers are just as guilty and get exactly the owners/equipment they asked for as well.
My wife and I are currently seeking a truck owner and equipment. We have been on this quest now for nearly 2 months. I am speaking from NOW experiences. We need to work BADLY, but can't afford to get into another mismatch of equipment/owners/drivers.
I very much understand when drivers get desperate, get backed into a corner, and feel they must get on the road, into whatever truck is available at the time. I am having to practice what I preach, right now, here, today.
Perhaps an "Angie's List" in this business would be appropriate.......................
zorry
Veteran Expediter
We have an Angies list of sorts. If you see an owner you have experiance with click Vote on this Listing. You show an approval or disapproval. You can then leave a narrative. You will leave your name so be truthful.
Prospective applicants can review these "Votes." They may even pm "Voters" for more details.
The site left us a great tool that nobody wants to use.
Prospective applicants can review these "Votes." They may even pm "Voters" for more details.
The site left us a great tool that nobody wants to use.
zorry
Veteran Expediter
In defense of an owner that doesn't post a picture. That may be a lack of computer skills. I drove an owner's truck 6 miles. I called him and said a quick walk around found many defects. If he had replied that it was time to make the needed repairs he might have gotten a good team.
His first response was " Hey, It's an old truck! " I told him of a reefer battery loose in a large tool box,absolutely no hold-down. Every placcard holder needed 2 clips or replacement. It had numerous lights not working. The dolly legs would not go up or down. He had heard enough! He wasn't going to make these many repairs !
I called he the next morning and quit.
BTW,the truck looks beautful in pictures.
His first response was " Hey, It's an old truck! " I told him of a reefer battery loose in a large tool box,absolutely no hold-down. Every placcard holder needed 2 clips or replacement. It had numerous lights not working. The dolly legs would not go up or down. He had heard enough! He wasn't going to make these many repairs !
I called he the next morning and quit.
BTW,the truck looks beautful in pictures.
MissKat
Expert Expediter
Larry aka Wolfie. I spoke to you once regarding a good owner i drove for at the Fed. I am not sure why you didnt like the deal because the trucks were well maintained, the man had nine leased on, and I've seen your team available add on and off this site for three years. I'm not sure why you are having so much trouble in your quest. I see you drove Panther and Fed owners. No job is absolutely perfect but i have an honest owner who isnt micromanaging me and some of the other demands you have in your add. Maybe you should attend the Expo with the Mrs. And have resumes in hand to give out. There are many quality owners i have found in that venue. Have you thought about buying your own? Said Michigan owner has lease purchase deals. M
Sent from my VS920 4G using EO Forums
Sent from my VS920 4G using EO Forums
Thought I did, Knew for a fact he worked here locally with A Plus ( Might add I know problems with A Plus pesonally all I can say BEWARE OF THEM) well he was supposed to be local (I just took him for his word) well turn out he was in south bend area and got a load from the company I use well he somehow did not have money to run on, well got some to him . The run was shorter than he said, well make it worse it was to Elkhart, IN and he lived there not here in Dayton, but he need money for 800 mile run. Well next day he called said van had feul pump out, told him I just had one put in 6 months before that I'll get it towed here. Well almost instantly it became a relay, price dropped real fast ..he needed money for it. I never told him to go there, so ask to talk to shop owner, the phone number that called me was not a business phone asked for shops phone and address , well seach info , google earth for address, infospace on phone, both residential. Took me 8 hours trying to locate vancould not went to local police they called him then he texted me it was at truck stop in Elkhart, IN.. He now demanding pay for repair ( Has no reciet ) and pay for the 12 mile run he did.. I had to go 200 miles to retrieved van, All i can say if a C B from either Sounh Bend or Elhart, IN (initials) or M F Michigan /city ( initials smae problem abandon van on me) ever ask and fleet owner for a position of driving beware REALLY BEWARE!!!!!
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