Apply Now!

So much choices......

9

916sprinter

Active Expediter
I just bought a brand new sprinter (2500 170 wheelbase) and am looking for a company. There seems to be many choices and I feel a bit confused of what company is best for me. Should I go with a large or smaller company? Theres a urge of to get out on the road and start driving but I dont want to make a bad decision. Im taking some time but want to start within a month or so. Any info or suggestions where I could start would be super and greatly appreciated. :)
 
cheri1122

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
You could start by reading the Newbies FAQ, then ask whatever questions you have that weren't answered there. [We get tired of typing the same stuff over & over again.] If you have a carrier specific question, it's best to call them to ask - information changes, sometimes.
Welcome to EO! If you choose a carrier, and get started, keep us updated, ok? :)
 
9

916sprinter

Active Expediter
Sorry, you could tell im as fresh of the boat as can be. Still, if anyone has any good sugestions of whats best as of this moment or just any good advice would help me out. Anything, if you have time, let me know.
 
P

purgoose10

Veteran Expediter
Call John at Load 1. Everybody say's he's not putting anymore on but if you have a new Sprinter he might talk to you. They are the best in my opinion.
 
9

916sprinter

Active Expediter
haha thats what Im looking for. Dont want someone ending up not paying lol I will contact him and see whats up.
 
greg334

greg334

Veteran Expediter
916sprinter said:
I just bought a brand new sprinter (2500 170 wheelbase) and am looking for a company. There seems to be many choices and I feel a bit confused of what company is best for me. Should I go with a large or smaller company?
Click to expand...

Not to rain on your parade but you did this backwards. You should have first decide what you want out of this, then looked for a company that will fit your goals then get a van.
 
chefdennis

chefdennis

Veteran Expediter
Gee , I bet he knew he didn't want to drive anything else but a Sprinter and he decided he was going to buy it, then decide where he would put it to work....but yeap, he did it backwards, Greg said so....doesn't know a d8nm thing about the guys finances or anything else, but that he bought a sprinter... but he knows he did it backwards...cause he said so....maybe he will just forget about expediting and keep the sprinter for his plumbing business....:rolleyes:

curmudgeon :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
9

916sprinter

Active Expediter
hah what else can i add? chef said it all.. I just thought it would be better if I already had a brand new sprinter to show companies so they could hire. If nothin will work out (doubt it will happen) I will have plenty of use for the baby. :)
 
greg334

greg334

Veteran Expediter
Well that's all good and well, companies don't hire and the van doesn't really matter but other things do.

Chef seems to forget that a lot of people get into this hobby and fail, many in new vans and trucks who can't afford the payment. A lot of them are desperate and come here to make money just to pay the bills.

My advice which works for a lot of others is to get into this as a business and prepare yourself. Have money on the side to pay for at least 6 months of the bills without depending on the company.

Every company is different, Load-1 isn't for everyone and neither is panther and FedEx. IT does matter who you pick and why.

Even if you did it the way many of us seem to think is the right way, there isn't a guarantee it will work for you but it will increase your chances to keep it together in hard times and to be what you can claim as a success.

What we see are the good times right now, it may not last as long as people think or it may extend farther past our expectations. A smart person will not just hop in the van or truck and expect to make the "big bucks" but rather look at things from a business point of view and prepare for those down times.
 
chefdennis

chefdennis

Veteran Expediter
No Chef didn't dorget anything..while your post is fine and the same thing I advise in GENERAL....but you (greg) chose to tell the OP that HE did it backwards, without knowing anything about hm or his situation...Now we all here know that there isn't anything that you aren't an expert on, but to give your opinion as gospel in EVERY situation just nuts...The OP just might not need to do this to for nothing more then fuel mney so he can vacation and have his fuel paid for....

So as I said, yes in general I agree with your 2nd post, but to tell the OP that HE did it backward without knowing his reasons or situation is over the top period....

curmudgeon..:rolleyes:
 
Turtle

Turtle

Administrator
Staff member
Retired Expediter
916sprinter said:
haha I will let you guys settle this..
Click to expand...
The problem is, over the years we've seen this over and over again. Most of the people who enter this business, in the order you are entering it, fail utterly. I got my van and a set of keys and I'm ready to roll. Show me the money. Hey, I can drive a van, it's easy. I don't need to learn anything about the industry, 'cause it's just driving, right? And I don't even need a CDL so there's no need in wasting time in learning what it means to be a professional driver. I got my van and a set of keys, cha-ching, cha,ching, cha-ching. I'm different because mine's a new van. It's not insulated and there's no place to sleep yet, and I don't have any decking or e-track or ratchet straps, but show me the money anyway. I've got my van and a set of keys, vroom, vroom, this'll be a piece of cake. It's easy money, man.

Not all fail, to be sure. About 50% stay longer than 6 months, and half of those make it as long as a year. This is not an industry that treats too kindly those who enter full of ignorance expecting to learn the ropes as they go. It doesn't take long to hang yourself with those ropes. If you have enough cash reserve and get lucky with most of your decisions then you'll do OK. Many people do just that. You may be one of them.

So it's not for us to sort out. We've just spectators watching an oft repeated spectacle.
 
Doggie Daddy

Doggie Daddy

Veteran Expediter
greg334 said:
What we see are the good times right now, it may not last as long as people think or it may extend farther past our expectations. A smart person will not just hop in the van or truck and expect to make the "big bucks" but rather look at things from a business point of view and prepare for those down times.
Click to expand...


This is the GOOD times? :confused::eek::confused::eek:
 
9

916sprinter

Active Expediter
Yes, thats so true but there is a lot of peeps that just try to turn you down. Like the saying about the glass being half empty or half full.. I view it as half full and stay positive. I do feel you but I think I got some experience but no doubt I do lack a whole bunch :cool:
 
greg334

greg334

Veteran Expediter
Doggie Daddy said:
This is the GOOD times? :confused::eek::confused::eek:
Click to expand...

Compared to 2009/2010, yep.

If we look back into history, nope but we don't hear how bad it was in 2007 rather we are hearing from a select few how great it is to be in a van or how a couple companies have been treating them so well the contractors are scheduling their company spa treatments months in advance.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top