Now lest you think that, based on this and my previous post, all I'm interested in is money, you'd be missing the mark. I'm in this for the whole experience. However...........I'm used to making pretty decent money and have come to believe that my time should be worth something. That said, if one invests in a decent straight truck or van, having learned the business for a year or so first, would one simply be buying a means to a paycheck or is there potential for building a successful business here in the Cambridge On. area. Again, don't get me wrong, I'm seriously interested and I figure this is the place to ask honest questions. If it aint, just let me know!
Canada Show me the Money
- Thread starter hankster
- Start date
Undoubtedly there is a lot of business in the quad city area to be successful....Now one has to tap that market...either thru your own authority and knocking on doors or thru signing on with a carrier.
Unfortunately the two of the most dominate carriers in that area are Dynamex and TST and both are ummm I have little to say good about...
And then there is your definition of "making a decent living" Yours and I will differ according to our different needs....
D Team Brothers
Expert Expediter
If you do a search you will find that the majority of people on this site will recommend you sign on with an O/O first, learn the business, and then decide if this is right for you. I am one of those who would never recommend you invest your money in equipment - then go out and see if you can make a living. One of your questions is can you make a living in the Cambridge area. If you'r successful in this business any particular area is not important - all North America is your area! I will advise you that as a solo it's more difficult to be really successful. J.M.O. Jack
I only put it in those words because the differences in Canadian expediting and US style are huge....Canucks are limited in their range..Their main core being the Toronto/Montreal lanes...outside of that it is real spotty.
Thanks folks, I appreciate the feedback. I'm kind of curious "OVM", since you mentioned the narrow lanes available here. Can I assume that expediting in this area is heavily tied to the auto industry? I've read on this forum for years, of folks who have the whole USA for their "playground", and I guess then that that wouldn't be an option for someone based here. Also, when I think of success, I think of it as more than just meeting my expenses for living, (small mortgage, no car payments, family raised and gone and wife who makes modest income). Kinda like living comfortably while putting away a little nest egg for retirement as well.
Yes, I see alot of these guys going up and down the big street where I spend a fair bit of time myself. Most of their equipment looks decent enough and there seems to be quite a few of them. Care to elaborate on these companies?........Anyone? Anyone on this forum who work for them?
from another thread I posted in...
I watched them like flies on crap and didn't let them get away with anything!! I think in a odd way they respected me for that.*shrug*
I was with them for over 5 years....
That said I made good money with them because I played the game..Once you realize what or who you are working with you can adjust your game plan accordingly...
I watched them like flies on crap and didn't let them get away with anything!! I think in a odd way they respected me for that.*shrug*
I was with them for over 5 years....
letzrockexpress
Veteran Expediter
I thought the "stupid things drivers believe" thread was in the general forum..
Actually the Cambridge area is a decent one for business. There are other companies in the area doing expedite such as K-Dac and Big M. There are others as well. Yes automotive was a driving force but there is other business as well. If doing this as an independent it'll take time to build the business unless you can secure a decent customer early on. Right now you have so many companies out there looking for business and many are cutting rates as well as the customers looking for deals it is harder to make a decent profit.
To give you an idea of the changes I was through the nw area of Guelph recently and the number of closed businesses was amazing. The lots of others were not filled with employees vehicles like 4 years ago. The number who close early on fridays is amazing and the lack of 24 hours operations is a stark contrast to the past where we used to go at all hours to deliver parts.
The Toronto-Montreal corridor should be better as recently we've seen quite a few international companies consolidate their warehousing and distribution systems making one or the other the only warehouse/distribution point. This makes for more runs for trucks but getting into these places will not be easy.
Rob
To give you an idea of the changes I was through the nw area of Guelph recently and the number of closed businesses was amazing. The lots of others were not filled with employees vehicles like 4 years ago. The number who close early on fridays is amazing and the lack of 24 hours operations is a stark contrast to the past where we used to go at all hours to deliver parts.
The Toronto-Montreal corridor should be better as recently we've seen quite a few international companies consolidate their warehousing and distribution systems making one or the other the only warehouse/distribution point. This makes for more runs for trucks but getting into these places will not be easy.
Rob
Canada's independent now, but the Queen's still on the money. Shouldn't they have someone like, say, Dan Ackroyd on there?
Thankfully not all the money has the Queen...I was thinking Raymond Burr or maybe Alex Trebec
I am surprised the American money doesn't have a likeness of Obama and Queen Michelle yet...*LOL*
You're welcome Hankster. My kids send me this off-the-wall, bizarre stuff all the time knowing I will appreciate and enjoy it. I've got a couple of warped kids. They must take after their mother. Glad you enjoyed it.
STruckingGal
Active Expediter
Although this particular thread is a few years old, here's an artilce with the same title as the name of this 'thread' ... It's about paying truckers what there worth, to cure the so-called 'driver shortage'! Truck Driver Pay: Is it Enough?