Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner-KW

Tom Robertson

Veteran Expediter
OK.... GLEN RICE... Here's and idea that will take a while to put together but will benefit all of us in the long run.

I would like to know what everyone else thinks of this idea.

Set up an area on E/O that will allow everyone to share experiences as well as rate different dealerships. Break them into seperate sections for each truck manufacturer. We as fleet owners, O/O's and drivers for expediting companies can share experiences... good and bad about any and all services performed by these dealerships. Give us a similar rating system that you now have in place for those of us who participate in the forums. When a delaership gets enough positive reviews a star is awarded. Make the top dealers 5 star dealerships, but show the postings of all. Also set it up so that if a company does achieve the 5 star rating, then they can loose it just a easily with bad service.
This would give all truck owners an insight as to which dealers can be trusted and which are to be avoided.
The initial listing should list all dealerships for each manufacturer, just like the listing each of us has to participate with E/O. You could have their names, address, phone numbers and contact names of the service managers. Once this is accomplished the rest of the work is up to us... the expediting community. We can post positive and negative results. This information tells other owners what to expect when dealing with this location.
Another idea is to notify each dealership that they can if they want try to participate by giving good service and make them aware that many independant owners and small companies will be participating and they could increase their revenue by treating us right!

I work in spurts and this idea just came to mind after reading Tennesseahawk posting about a Freightliner Dealership. Also keep in mind that one dealership may treat one guy well and the next quite badly... that is the reason for the rating system. Maybe you could even come up with an award certificate for dealerships who have achieved the 5 star rating and another area of advertising for E/O!
********** What about it Lawrence? ******************
a commission check on the advertising would be appreciated!

Excuse my ramblings but like I said my mind goes with great energy in spurts, and I am sure other will have ideas which they can add that could make this the idea of the year.

OK E/O members.... Our number are in the thousands... lets band together and flex our collective muscles!

what do you think? could you benefit from this idea? what fo you suggest to make this a reality?

thanks to all who respond!
 

Lawrence

Founder
Staff member
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

Tom,

Thanks for your post. We like fresh ideas that put information in the hands of Owner Operators. What you suggested is something we have been developing for the past 4 months.

We have two new services that allow you to rate and make comments on carriers and service providers.

Try it out...

http://www.expeditecarrier.com/index.html

http://www.expeditesource.com/search/Expedite_Equipment/



Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com


Education is the best defense against the media.


The Lord's Prayer is 66 words, the Gettysburg Address is 286 words, there are 1,322 words in the Declaration of Independence, but government regulations on the sale of cabbage total 26,911 words.



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http://www.expeditersonline.com/hotnews/sterling_eo_forum.jpg


Please Help Us Get The Word
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Glen Rice

Veteran Expediter
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

Maybe you drank one to many "Red Bull" energy drinks? No actually sounds pretty cool. I'm afraid we might end up with more negative scores than positive. I don't like stepping on toes, but I do think an independent shop that goes that extra mile should be awarded some recognition. What do you think about that?
 

Glen Rice

Veteran Expediter
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

Good listing Lawrence. Thanks for the update. I need to review all your good work!
 

Lawrence

Founder
Staff member
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

Glen,

I should mention that we are still working out some bugs - but we will be adding more content and features as we go along.

Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com


Education is the best defense against the media.


The Lord's Prayer is 66 words, the Gettysburg Address is 286 words, there are 1,322 words in the Declaration of Independence, but government regulations on the sale of cabbage total 26,911 words.



-----------------------------------------
Thanks For Visiting EO!



http://www.expeditersonline.com/hotnews/sterling_eo_forum.jpg


Please Help Us Get The Word
Out About Expediters Online.com!

-----------------------------------------
 

Tom Robertson

Veteran Expediter
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

Lawrence:

The idea here is that many of us have had good and nightmarish experiences with having our equipment serviced. The sites you referred me to simply connect shipper and carriers and truck sellers with truck buyers... all good but neither offers what I am suggesting.
I really think someone needs to give us the ability to choose with relative certainty those dealerships that provide good service and conversly to avoid those who rip us off!

Your site has the highest concentration of expediters in the nation.

Some one will take this idea and run with it ... why not E/O?
 

Lawrence

Founder
Staff member
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

Tom,

I think you need to take a closer look - there is a rating feature and a comment feature.

We will be able to "syndicate" those Links, ratings, etc to EO.

Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com


Education is the best defense against the media.


The Lord's Prayer is 66 words, the Gettysburg Address is 286 words, there are 1,322 words in the Declaration of Independence, but government regulations on the sale of cabbage total 26,911 words.



-----------------------------------------
Thanks For Visiting EO!
[p]
http://www.expeditersonline.com/hotnews/sterling_eo_forum.jpg


Please Help Us Get The Word
Out About Expediters Online.com!

-----------------------------------------
 

raceman

Veteran Expediter
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

Tom this is a great post and an even better IDEA. I have written notes here to inform folks of the hell holes that have screwed me, taken advantage of me and so on. I am not looking at this as a way to reward anyone, although it would in the long run because good shops would have our business and those that take advantage of us or simply do poor work would not benefit and maybe even change their practices when they realized the loss of business. There is a fine line so that we do not just doo doo on a shop that may have, in our own mind, held us up or performed slowly. We could save ourselves a lot of money by knowing who you can trust and who you can not. I would not be out many "thousands" if I had know of I69 Truck and trailer. Many others could save hundreds if they knew of a shop that I visit in SouthBend, In. A simple list would be wonderful. Although many things are posted as watch outs, they are in no way organized for a quick find when you are on the side of the road. It is tough to go back through the posts to see if any shop had been written about in the area where you are at the time of need. I have a great energy to do something like this and if the interest is there, I would be willing to be a clearing house for folks to send their info, that I would compile and provide monthly or something along those lines. I would imagine that the folks running this site are very busy with it and the other things they have to do. But I very much think this would be great. I already have a good and bad list of my own. It is purely based on good and trustworthy or not to stop at shops. I dont cover things on my own list in terms of slow, poor soda machines etc but I do have good and bad and also which ones allow for laundry and things like that while you wait. I think this is just flat out a good idea. If there is any interest in me being the workhorse on this let me know. I will help or originate whatever it takes. raceman
 

Tom Robertson

Veteran Expediter
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

I guess I am dense...
So take a minute and show me where I can find a reputable dealer for SERVICE WORK for Freightliner trucks in Laredo Texas.

I see no reference to Freightliner - Kenworth - or any other truck manufacturer and their authorized repair locations.

I am not trying to buy a truck or find an expedited carrier or advertise a load I am trying to move. I want to know where to take my truck for Oil changes, and maintenance repairs.


What am I missing.
 

raceman

Veteran Expediter
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

Tom you are not missing anything that I know of. What you have proposed and I quickly jumped on and one day hope to take full credit for, does not exist at this time as far as I could find. I have looked for it on here as well as other sites and the internet in general. Many will be scared by this topic because if handled wrong could most likely cause some legal issues. A shop that got a bad rating could scream bloody murder. I do not think this list has to be generated in a way that would cause those kinds of problems. If it is done among freinds simply sharing info and is not sold it should not be a big deal. I am not a lawyer but have hired them many times to go after the shops that have taken me or tore my truck up, that I think I am a few courses a way from the big exam. I did not say BAR because someone will use that in their response to my desire to this work. You know I have spent to much time at the bar kind of thing. Just kidding :) I will do it at home and email it to anyone who wants it. That would be a lot to do but I think it would be worth it.raceman
 

Tom Robertson

Veteran Expediter
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

Shawn:
Why not take it to a higher level...
Look... what is said about any company in a private forum (ie E/O) is for members only...(expediters)....
It is discussed on E/O already ,,,take a look at Tennesseahawk post regarding Wolverine Freightliner... so why not expand on it...
Give the shops who do good work credit... advise them of their ratings... and offer them the availablity to advertise on your website... Members could get a discout because of volume and the really good shops benefit with the additional work
Seems really simple to me and a natural for E/O to pull in additional revenue... so far I'm not sure E/O is interested or undertsands the concept.
thanks for your interest...
 

raceman

Veteran Expediter
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

Oh< I agree with you on this. I only made mention of some of the downsides to spark everyone's thinking. I know of all the benefits this would and could provide. I would put it up in a heartbeat, I just can't do that. I will build it and be glad to put it on paper, a disk or maybe even build a site simply for that. Well that is a little overboard but I am with you on this all the way. I have been in too many bad places and no help and no idea who could be trusted and ended up wishing this info was out there. I am very much with you.raceman
 

davekc

Senior Moderator
Staff member
Fleet Owner
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

I think the idea has great merit. That being said, a program of the type would take some planning (as Lawrence indicated) and would have to be implemented in the proper way. It would seem you would need something generalized or some type of point to point verification in order to have accurate information. Liability and issues with sponsors could quickly arise if not handled in the correct manner.
An example of this would be a failed truck ect and reviewing interpretations from the owner and the driver. In many instances, the opinion of that dealer would be different depending on whether it is the truck owner, or the driver.
It will clearly take some planning for it to work to everyones advantage.
Davekc
 

NoProblem

Expert Expediter
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

I think this is an awesome idea! Seems obvious to me that it could add tremendous value to EO, which is already a giant help for expediters.

If I needed, say, a PM somewhere along my route, I could open EO, click "Service Center" (or whatever), then pick a state, click a service center and then read or write comments. The star rating Tom suggests would be an excellent incentive for me to click the one with the most stars, and read what other's experiences have been there - and I would think the service centers would want to have all the stars for all the obvious reasons. Seems like a "win-win" situation to me.

I don't see where the service centers would or could harbor any legal actions - if they want a good reputation, then do the job right! This being a public forum, the posts are comprised strictly on opinions anyway - what could they do - charge EO with false opinions?

We all have read in various posts at one time or another about good and bad places to take your truck - but where are these comments when ya need them? Somewhere in EO archives.

I think this is one hell of an idea and whose time is LONG overdue!

Tom, you've been slacking for not thinking of this alot sooner! :)

Why not try it - I think it would be great!
 

Tom Robertson

Veteran Expediter
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

Come on Glen: You are the moderator here!

Ok let me lay it out for you guys....
We don't care if we step on the toes of people who overcharge, who give bad incomlete service, who make promises they don't keep.

We need to assist one another... not worry about those who take advantge of us... I am sooooo over this politically correct mentality!

We are your associates by the nature of our business. I am simply suggesting that we should unite in our efforts to succeed and we can very easily unite with our buying power.
Set it up so the shop that gets a bad review has the ability to respond with their side. Allow us to give ratings for positive service, and rating for bad service.
Tennessehawk had some bad service with Wolverine Freightliner... other responded and said their experience had been good... We are big boys here! Let us read it and make up our own minds.
Good for all of us and with very little initative and vision on the part of E/O could not only be a service to all who frequent your site.... but could turn into a real profit center for you guys.

Don't look at it as a potential problem... look at it as a problem solver for your audience and a profit center for E/O.

I wish someone would give me an idea that I could incorporate into an already existing system that would benefit my customers and make me more bucks!

Yeah... it might be a challenge to set up... but it could be well worth the efforts to all who frequent your site.

Collective knowledge can be a powerful thing!
( or more simply put.... two heads are better than one)
 

Lawrence

Founder
Staff member
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

Ok, we have the ability to create just a system like this. We need participation - which can always be an issue.

So, please share some categories that you would like covered? Truck stops? Truck Services? Restaurants?


Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com


Education is the best defense against the media.


The Lord's Prayer is 66 words, the Gettysburg Address is 286 words, there are 1,322 words in the Declaration of Independence, but government regulations on the sale of cabbage total 26,911 words.



-----------------------------------------
Thanks For Visiting EO!



http://www.expeditersonline.com/hotnews/sterling_eo_forum.jpg


Please Help Us Get The Word
Out About Expediters Online.com!

-----------------------------------------
 

Tom Robertson

Veteran Expediter
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

Lawrence....now that we are on the same page...
I think you should start with the websites of the Truck manufactureres themselves...
Go to freightliner.com
they list every "authorized" freighliner dealership in the nation...
Give us a "FREIGHTLINER" then break it down by states... then by individual locations. let us post to anyplace we have service done...
Repeat for every truck manufacturer... KW GMC MACK Peterbilt... etc.

after the site is up and running a few months you will have quite a few postings... I think this group could be powerful!
For the locations that do a good job... send them a letter or e-mail telling them that "WE" have spoken and they have a favorable rating... invite them to advertise on your site under this particular heading... collect your $$$ and smile on the way to the bank...

the rest of us will smile... saving time and money!
 

chetjester

Veteran Expediter
Driver
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

I sure would like to have a listing of good and bad service centers. It's scary sometimes out here not knowing who to trust.

I have Word documents of truck stops and wifi locations and whatever else I can reference. A listing of good repair locations would be just awesome.

I like Tom's idea. Whatever I could do to help you set up a forum or listing would be my pleasure.
 

cat can do

Veteran Expediter
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

Please dont forget Sleeper Mfgs.
Rest areas that are better passed and the ones that are maintained to a high standard. Info on rest areas should be passed on to the state, good or bad when a group of people pull togather others will listen.
 

raceman

Veteran Expediter
RE: Expediter Rated Truck Service for Freightliner

I knew if I just shut my mouth and went to bed everyone would make progress. This is fantastic. I have to say from my personal standpoint I simply want this to cover repair shops. If it does get into rest areas and eaten joints, well I just may slap a bunch more info your way. Fer right now I be just happy getting my truck fixed right. :) Thanks EO for picking up on this idea it will be more than useful.raceman
 
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