Fuel Costs and Surcharges

Broompilot · Apr 12, 2005

After reading the Posts Fuel Costs and no Surcharges because of a contract with your carrier. Why would anyone haul such a discounted load. Right now my FSC is not a luxury is necessary.

I am fortunate I have only had to take one discounted load out of S. FL and that put me into a week that turned out to be a dream week. I was once offered a Van Load Rate and turned it down and than again the next day put me into another fantastic week. (Lucky) I needed to move out of S. FL I did not need to move the 2nd time.

It is getting tighter our profit #s DH is critical as if I am telling you something you do not already know. I am fortunate that my dispatchers are very aware of DH and there for my DH now is just below 10% for all loads.

It has not happened but I personally will not accept a load without a FSC and I hate it when a Customer wants 1 or 2% off as if I can make the supplier give me a break.

And speaking of that I am not crazy about using credit cards. But applied for a Hess/Wilco card. 10% credit for all purchases at there stations for three months than 5% there after. 2 or 3% if used eleswhere. $450.00 worth of Diesel $45.00 I think its worth it.

Word of Caution!!!!! Late Fees are very very high PAY ON TIME.

BULLRUSH · Apr 12, 2005

YOU MEAN THE FINANCE CHARGE.

rollingstock · Apr 12, 2005

Hey Broom,

Check out the card member account information on that application. There might be a restriction for "commercial" usage. The banks that offer these cards are very aware that business owners will use these cards.

The bank will also monitor the charges for fraud and that can affect someone that is prone to travel a great deal. The software the bank uses is designed to detect unusual charge patterns (such as charges in different states over a short period of time). My suggestion would be to contact the card member service and tell them you are going to be traveling. That way, the software will not lock your card out. The supervisor will call your home phone and you will not be there to tell them that you are really charging on the card. One big hassle.

Hope this helps. I have had all the experience in the world with credit card companies $$$$$

Good luck:7

miko · Apr 12, 2005

It is a luxury these days to get paid DH and FSC, that ist atually listed on the statement instead of beeing worked into your pay rate.

I found out the hard way that alot of companies are hurtin now, and underbid alot of loads just to get you going.

They try for the cheap freight, and you stuck with it if you can not afford to turn them down, but who can be choosy these days???
Drivers get what they can to make a buck instead of sitting and waiting for that better load.

I had some odd runs over the weekend out of the ordinary, they were not paid very well, but I took them. If I sit, I don't make a buck, bills need to be paid, and lately I am averaging one less load with all kinds of excuses from my company...

Broompilot · Apr 12, 2005

I got to keep reminding myself we are all in different situations. When entering this business I thought it was great that I could neogioate a rate with my carrier.

Now tht I am offered a straight rate and FSC it is so much easier to keep track of $ and it is never an argument or dissagreement with dispatch. Plus I don't care where or how long a load is unless its out West or Cape G. MO. They almost always find me freight with in 10% of the miles offered so for me its simple, easy, and profitable.

As for the credit card I read no restrictions I am what I am a self employeed person and my credit profile will fit that. If they Chase choose not to honor it since I did pick up the application at a Fueling Desk not a gas station. Than they will get it back with full payment cut up in little itty bitty pieces with a polite letter of cancelation. I hope they will but you may have a point.

And I meant late fees WOW they get ya big. As for intrest % I do not even look as I cannot build up a balance, once you do your in the vacuum and have to work twice as hard to dig out of it. Not even an emergency anymore.