Panther is a scam.
- Thread starter ericmoss37
- Start date
ericmoss37
Seasoned Expediter
Well for starters I entered the business in 2008 . Most likely the worst time to get into the business. I had three teams for 1 year plus. They liked my system because I paid them when the delivery was made. 40% paid to the team at $1.55 a mile. I paid for fuel, tols,l and hotels when they had break downs. The reason I did not sign on with Custom Critical is in case somthing happened at FCC it would not effect me at FedEx Ground. Sure I had my share of good and bad drivers. We are going to have turn over in this business. My best team was doing close to 4000 miles a week from Jan to early March. I actually had my best first three months of the year this year. I also had the most repairs 15K plus on a older Kenworth T-800 straight truck. My drivers always got paid on time and they liked working for me. They will not get the same deal with another owner.
My point earlier was that Panther is in the business of making money off fees and charge backs. My friend Joe who I sold a truck to recently told me that the average fee for a QC at other companies is about $25 dollars a month.
Thanks to the fellow who brought up my business skills as I had to be crazy entering this business in 2008. I enjoyed the ride I guess as a hobby. The pain and misery was kind of fun owning big toys. The real key here is wasted fuel and repairs as they can eat you alive. I am lucky to have lower cost trucks with no dead head and weekly cashflow with bonus. I think that makes me a smart business man because I am making a lot more money with three less trucks. I also sleep better at night as Panther does not call me to ask if I want want to take .30 cent per mile backhaul from Vigina to Michigan. They called me once and asked me that at 3:30am.
Ground had not always been this good. I got into expediting because I was intrigued by the high rate per mile pay. I figured each truck would be running most of the time. Those days are over as any fleet owner of 10+ years will tell you his sales are on the decline. Profitablity is down and if your a rook I don't want to see you break the bank.
Best of luck to all.
My point earlier was that Panther is in the business of making money off fees and charge backs. My friend Joe who I sold a truck to recently told me that the average fee for a QC at other companies is about $25 dollars a month.
Thanks to the fellow who brought up my business skills as I had to be crazy entering this business in 2008. I enjoyed the ride I guess as a hobby. The pain and misery was kind of fun owning big toys. The real key here is wasted fuel and repairs as they can eat you alive. I am lucky to have lower cost trucks with no dead head and weekly cashflow with bonus. I think that makes me a smart business man because I am making a lot more money with three less trucks. I also sleep better at night as Panther does not call me to ask if I want want to take .30 cent per mile backhaul from Vigina to Michigan. They called me once and asked me that at 3:30am.
Ground had not always been this good. I got into expediting because I was intrigued by the high rate per mile pay. I figured each truck would be running most of the time. Those days are over as any fleet owner of 10+ years will tell you his sales are on the decline. Profitablity is down and if your a rook I don't want to see you break the bank.
Best of luck to all.
Ah, OK, got it. Now I know what the definition of "scam" is. <snort>
Many if not most carriers will make money off fees and charge backs. It's not really a scam, though, at least not with Panther, as while they will screw you from time to time, they at least screw you by the rules. Meaning there won't be any charge backs or fees that you weren't already aware of which aren't listed in the contract or some other form of clear communication.
That's nothing. There are some carriers which charge as little as $12 a month, a few don't even charge the contractors anything at all for the QC. But $30 to $35 a week is about the norm for most expedite carriers. It's a great revenue stream if you are a carrier. Not really a scam, tho. Did you know you can buy your own QC and pay Qualcomm the monthly fee directly? Panther will still charge you a $35 weekly "Satellite Messaging" fee. While that may be scummy, it's not really a scam because you know what you're getting into when you do it. Like I said, they'll screw you, but only by the rules. If you don't like the rules, don't play the game.
Deville
Not a Member
I'm glad you are doing well with Home Del. I have benn wanting to get invloved with them for a few years but have been scared away by the horrible reviews Ground drivers have told me. This goes back almost ten years. Also i'm in the NY/NJ area & if there are available routes they are the difficult ones & must be purchased though a route broker.
I also understand that there are no more one truck owner IC's they must have 3 routes at a minimum to contract with ground now.
Monty
Expert Expediter
Have I mentined before ... I sure do like Landstar! (Yea, probably)
But as a matter of BUSINESS, I could have done as well with any of the carriers. Entering into a contract requires an understanding on both parties.
I'm sure Panther has done nothing to the agreived poster here that was not perfectly legal, and was agreed to beforehand.
In all matters, do your best to keep your business out of their business!
The only thing I ever purchased from a carrier was insurance, because the fleet rate was usually a good bargain.
Do not enter into "lease purchases" or base plate plans .. do it yourself, or don't do it at all.
But as a matter of BUSINESS, I could have done as well with any of the carriers. Entering into a contract requires an understanding on both parties.
I'm sure Panther has done nothing to the agreived poster here that was not perfectly legal, and was agreed to beforehand.
In all matters, do your best to keep your business out of their business!
The only thing I ever purchased from a carrier was insurance, because the fleet rate was usually a good bargain.
Do not enter into "lease purchases" or base plate plans .. do it yourself, or don't do it at all.
Im kind of suprised that this topic is even allowed on here and hasn't been deleted. A few years ago I was up there in Akron OH. and on Inderal which is a drug for high blood pressure and it's used to treat other things. The patent date on it was created after world war one. 1919 to be exact and is the oldest known BP med out there that works great.
Panthers " doctor" had never heard of it, wanted me to see a "specialist" 1200.00 to find out that Inderal was in fact a REAL prescription drug which could have been done in a phone call. I got the feds involved since it seemed shady. Since they made a huge deal out of it I just sued the medical company involved who is no longer in business.
These alterior mysterious medical tests and fees have ceased since then supposedly. Kind of off topic but since the word shady was used it's close.
Panthers " doctor" had never heard of it, wanted me to see a "specialist" 1200.00 to find out that Inderal was in fact a REAL prescription drug which could have been done in a phone call. I got the feds involved since it seemed shady. Since they made a huge deal out of it I just sued the medical company involved who is no longer in business.
These alterior mysterious medical tests and fees have ceased since then supposedly. Kind of off topic but since the word shady was used it's close.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
I don't know what drugs the doctor was on but I would have told him to go and get a Physician's Desk Reference and look it up.
In 2007 the Doctor who was doing physicals, was a D.O. not an MD.
Why would anyone take a Panther DOT physical?.
When I went through Orientation in July of 2007 Panther required it of every one there. First you were sent around back (to the right of front) give a Urine sample and take an eye test.
Then into a little office. It appeared if you were breathing and could do a deep knee bend you were accepted.
When I went through Orientation in July of 2007 Panther required it of every one there. First you were sent around back (to the right of front) give a Urine sample and take an eye test.
Then into a little office. It appeared if you were breathing and could do a deep knee bend you were accepted.
Aren't contractors allowed to go to their own docs?
I believe you have to see the one they have when you sign on. After that, you can use your own.
I ve been with them in 2008. Panther is a corporation with poor management (lower and middle) and a "flood the market" business model. They cannot ratain drivers almost at all. Hundreds of drivers go through this "boot camp" of the Expediting world every year. So they just come up with all kind of fees to make the recruiting /orientation department a "profit center". They make money out of their own failure.
And those who advise to call them, PLLLLEASE, get real. I ve been under load at least 10 times and had issues - nobody picks up the phones. Not even at 2 am.
PS The Elite Department it's a different ballpark. Very professional. Sometimes I was thinking how can two departments of the same company be so different?
And those who advise to call them, PLLLLEASE, get real. I ve been under load at least 10 times and had issues - nobody picks up the phones. Not even at 2 am.
PS The Elite Department it's a different ballpark. Very professional. Sometimes I was thinking how can two departments of the same company be so different?
K
kellyozur
Guest
Last edited by a moderator: