We found a Volvo rep who knew nothing of expediting but was willing to learn. Once he saw expediting truck pictures, he went to work. We've explained that a sale is over a year away, if we buy at all. I've repeatedly told him to put his paying customers first. He keeps saying, "It's OK." "No problem." I don't call him often but he calls me a lot. Since he's initiating the calls and inviting me in, I'm OK taking up the time he seems willing to give.
We specked out a cab and chasis the other day. The price came in around $100,000, give or take, depending on features such as dash board display, transmission type, etc. This is full list price before FET. If we specify minimal features, it's about $95,000. If we say yes to most options and upgrades its around $125,000. Then you have to think about sleeper, box, and ask yes or no about reefer, generator, lift gate, and dozens of other items.
I've put about three hours into this in the last two weeks. It's like a couple thinking up their dream house. The purchase is far off. But it's fun to draw plans just the same.
Far more important than a future truck purchase is finding a fleet owner and carrier my wife and I can begin with this August. I've spent over 30 hours this week interviewing fleet owners and recruiters. That's the serious business at hand. As I said in an earlier post, the dream truck exercise is a happy distraction.
I'm not sure what the Little Duce Coupe is. If it's that big yellow truck we see in pictures here and there, that seems a bit over the edge for us. We have seen a truck named White Tiger. Show trucks like that are fun to look at. But when we buy the truck of our dreams, we'll probably name it "the truck." For us, it's not about winning trophies at truck shows. It's about comfort on the road, AND profitability.
