We are team drivers for fedex and were on a load to NM when we were informed by our owner operators to return the truck because they were calling in their fleet. One of their trucks blew an engine, and since ours was there favorite truck they said they needed it back so they can start driving it. Since they are getting rid of us, shouldn't they pay us to return the truck to them? They said they have no money to get the truck back to them in New York. We had to borrow money to dead head to St. Louis, and Fedex so far has been no help, telling us they don't get involved in owner driver situations. We need to get back to Michigan to clean the truck out and possibly jump on with another owner/operator who wants us. It would seem that if they want the truck back to start driving it they would want it back as soon as possible, and pay us to return it since it wasn't our idea to quit. Shouldn't fedex help us out on this? We would be willing to drop the truck off at Fedex HQ's in Akron and tell them to come get it. We want to do the right thing but feel we're being taken advantage of, and we're willing to meet the owners half way, but so far they haven't come even part way to help pay to get the truck back. Any suggestions?
Fedex C.C.
- Thread starter alval650
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mcavoy33
Seasoned Expediter
If it was me, I'd either drive it home and empty my stuff out and drop it off where it would get towed and leave the keys in it. Either that or leave it where it is and fly home. Whatever was cheaper. Again I would leave it where it would be towed away for safety purposes.
Did they want you to finish the load first? I'd be worried about even getting paid if they expect you to pay for gas to return the truck to NY at this point. I'd be worried about minimizing my losses.
Did they want you to finish the load first? I'd be worried about even getting paid if they expect you to pay for gas to return the truck to NY at this point. I'd be worried about minimizing my losses.
ChanceMaster
Expert Expediter
Sorry to hear of your troubles..
I would have to agree with the folks in Green, not getting involved..I certainly would not even begin to think that FedxCC is going to offer any assistance if I get into a situation regarding any difficulties I may have with the truck owner, I understood this from the beginning.
THAT being said, If your facts are correct, and there is not a back story not being told, I wouldnt return the truck on your dime. I would deliver the truck where ever is convenient to you, not the owner. The owner SHOULD have sufficient funds to cover breakdowns, etc. sounds like they dont have a very good business plan.
On the bright side..looks like a lot of owners looking for teams on this website, hopefully you wont be out of the game very long, and you will learn to avoid this situation in the future by driving for a solid owner. Good luck to you.
PS consider a written /signed contract next time outlining EVERYTHING.
Doggie Daddy
Veteran Expediter
At first read, this is sounding like another one of those "no contract " deals. Or at the very least it is a contract that doesn't address all of the possible situations.
chefdennis
Veteran Expediter
That truck would have been taken care of per your contract...no contract, id have driven it home, locked it in a storage lot for safe keeping and told him to come and get it...
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Borrow money to return a truck to an owner who has already told you he couldn't pay you??? LOL...really...
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Borrow money to return a truck to an owner who has already told you he couldn't pay you??? LOL...really...
MissKat
Expert Expediter
I too drove for this owner. I took a load that returned the truck to them, still want good enough. The contract per se is a joke. I reported the dot violations on the unit to the fed and dot. Same truck this victim is in. It was put out of service. Then I pit a nice report on ripoffreports.com. then I hired a collections attorney. These folks own 2 tvals and a d unit. Built a new house on their teams backs and are octopus managers. They advertise on eo every three months or so. I also posted numerous articles in the newbie section regarding our learning curve. They will threaten to cut off the fuel card and report the truck stolen. Be careful. Rent a van and clean out the truck. Leave it at a dealership. They are,going to stiff you anyway.
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Posted with my Droid EO Forum App
teamjdw
Expert Expediter
Just how would these folks go about enforcing there contract? Assuming they have a contract. Abondening the truck won't look so good on there DAC report.Drive home on there dime,then hire a lawyer if one isn't already on retainer,on there dime. Sue current owners to enforce said contract,how long will that take? Maybe win there case,get some type of judgment,then wait 30 day's or more for owners who won't ,or don't have any money to pay them. In Michigan winning your case with a judgment is just a piece of paper saying you won. Now collecting is another thing. You wait thirty day's then go back to court to file a execution of judgment this will have the court contact the defendent.The defendent will either half to pay up ,or get on a payment plan,or there assets will be seized,and sold to satisfy the judgment. It looks like there owners are in New York so i'm assuming they would half to sue in New York court? So how do you get water out of an empty well? Contracts are nice,but you need a lawyer and the court system to enforce the contract. Contracts arn't worth the paper there written on.
Monty
Expert Expediter
My response?
"That's your problem, your truck is in storage at Acme Towing. Come get it when you have a buck or two. I will not fund returning it you. Pay expenses, and freight rates and I'll gladly return it to your location, (or where ever I picked it up)"
End of story.
(A bit more)
FEDEX is not involved in your problems. If they can get you a load back, and the owner does not object, fair enough. But they are under no obligation to resolve your issue..
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greg334
Veteran Expediter
I didn't say get a lawyer or anything like that, I asked what the contract says. If there is nothing about returning the truck, the contract can be terminated right there and the owner has to deal with it.
Maybe a good solution is to have the carriers force the same requirements on their fleet owners as the FMCSA does with brokers - a bond. If there is any issue with payments or problems like this, the driver can collect through the bond holder.
Maybe a good solution is to have the carriers force the same requirements on their fleet owners as the FMCSA does with brokers - a bond. If there is any issue with payments or problems like this, the driver can collect through the bond holder.
We would drive the truck home to our property on our own dime.
And then tell the owner to come and get it and to bring a certified check for any monies owed to us.
Plus our storage fee is $20 a day after the first 10 days.
And FedEx really has no involvement in this.
And then tell the owner to come and get it and to bring a certified check for any monies owed to us.
Plus our storage fee is $20 a day after the first 10 days.
And FedEx really has no involvement in this.
stick it to the owner i had a contract w/ an owner at another co after letting a fam.member laywer read it he told me to start barb b que and have a burger w/ it as some one said take lots of pics. and leave it in a safe place, let them get it whereever hopefully fed ex will see that they are not good employers and be forgiving of you if enough complaints come in it will catch up w/them.
Call into FedEx and talk to Debbie Templeton who hopefully can help you in this situation. I would also call OOIDA ASAP and talk with their Lawyers. If you are not a member join when you call and talk to the lawyers.
You do NOT have to be a O/O to be a member of OOIDA and have them on your side.
Trucking Association, Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association
You do NOT have to be a O/O to be a member of OOIDA and have them on your side.
Trucking Association, Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association
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