reefdriver
Active Expediter
Hi there, I was wondering if anyone that runs out of the Cleveland area can possibly help me with a few questions. If there is anyone that would be willing to help me out in PM's I would be eternally grateful.
Greetings
- Thread starter reefdriver
- Start date
Welcome to our club. It might be a good idea to give us a better idea of what questions you may have.
reefdriver
Active Expediter
I work for a carrier that has a client in the area, the carrier has two dedicated runs a week. Typically I am in the area and stranded for a few days before the dedicated runs occur. My carrier states on the days that I am stranded that no loads are leaving the area. I was wondering if this is true and the demand for sprinter/reefer vans in the area is really not there or am I being put on ice to make sure these dedicated runs occur.
Sorry, can't help you with that one. I drive a S/T. We haul many loads out of that area. We are leased with FedEx and are a TVAL truck. Are you set up to run those dedicated runs or are you just ending up there? Sure hope someone else reads this, I really don't know how I can help.
reefdriver
Active Expediter
I am also a O/O looking to add another van and was interested on typical market rates I should expect to pay a reliable driver(van). I am based out of Georgia if this type of question is region specific. Thank you for all your help already layout.
No problem, just wish I could have helped more.
moose
Veteran Expediter
O.K I'll chimp in.
ReefDriver, If you take the time to read those forums, i think that for the most parts we do not recommends Van ownership, even not a Sprinter Van, nor a Reefer unit.
there's a rezone for that, solo Van revenues do not leave enough to split between 2 households. from the Owner prospective, the little money to be made, won't worth the effort/headdacks/risk involved.
from the driver perspective, Vans are so cheap to buy, so why not just buy one and be your own boss.
that formula will normally leave the owner stuck with Junk drivers, and the drivers stuck with Junk owners.
However, there's MANY exceptions to the rules,
here are just a few items that can help you be successful in Van ownership.
* freight, the best place to start, IF you already have access to better paying reliable, top quality freight, then you are already ahead of the game.
*drivers, a close 2nd, If you have access to a good driver, then you are a bit ahead of the game.
* equipment, do you have access to a unique unit ?, is it fully paid for, can you keep it up at lower costs then others ?
* personality, might needed to be up there, are you a born salesman ?, have great human skills ?, if so it'll be a walk in the park.
*business experience, certainly a learning skill, do you have good access to cash reserves or large credit line ?, did you owned a small business before, can you handle the decisions involved in owning and operating a small business ? can you wright down a true business plan & execute it to the letter?, can you attract investors? ask your self this : if you are the banker, will you invest in your newborn business ? why ?, why not ?
this service have been provided for free by a bored trucker...
ReefDriver, If you take the time to read those forums, i think that for the most parts we do not recommends Van ownership, even not a Sprinter Van, nor a Reefer unit.
there's a rezone for that, solo Van revenues do not leave enough to split between 2 households. from the Owner prospective, the little money to be made, won't worth the effort/headdacks/risk involved.
from the driver perspective, Vans are so cheap to buy, so why not just buy one and be your own boss.
that formula will normally leave the owner stuck with Junk drivers, and the drivers stuck with Junk owners.
However, there's MANY exceptions to the rules,
here are just a few items that can help you be successful in Van ownership.
* freight, the best place to start, IF you already have access to better paying reliable, top quality freight, then you are already ahead of the game.
*drivers, a close 2nd, If you have access to a good driver, then you are a bit ahead of the game.
* equipment, do you have access to a unique unit ?, is it fully paid for, can you keep it up at lower costs then others ?
* personality, might needed to be up there, are you a born salesman ?, have great human skills ?, if so it'll be a walk in the park.
*business experience, certainly a learning skill, do you have good access to cash reserves or large credit line ?, did you owned a small business before, can you handle the decisions involved in owning and operating a small business ? can you wright down a true business plan & execute it to the letter?, can you attract investors? ask your self this : if you are the banker, will you invest in your newborn business ? why ?, why not ?
this service have been provided for free by a bored trucker...
reefdriver
Active Expediter
I appreciate the reply moose, the line about getting junk drivers really gave me something to ponder. I can see where people would be enticed to possibly go there separate ways. What type of equipment do you feel is truly unique? As far as business experience I have been part of my family business since I have been 9 years old, so I see and know what it takes to get things going and the hardships it takes to continue running the business in the downtime's. I myself own a masters degree in finance and have no problems with anything involved with that realm of the business. My growing pains are coming from trying to get a true picture of the demand for each type of vehicle from my carrier. Again thank you for the response Moose it gave me a lot to ponder.
There are two ways to help you find the information you are seeking. One is as Moose said, read through a zillion or so past post. Focus on those posts that pertain to your carrier, your intended business plan and or the type of equipment you are interested in. The other way would be to seek out drivers/owners from your carrier and get their perspective on where the business at that carrier is headed.
reefdriver
Active Expediter
My carrier is a small local carrier in Georgia, so I really have no where to go to obtain information besides the carrier themselves. They seem pretty unwilling to divulge a lot of information and the information they are giving me seems to be conflicting with what I am seeing out here on the road. I will look into the old posts and see what other useful information I can obtain. Thank you.
I wish you well and good luck. If I can help in anyway please feel free to drop me a PM. I normally get to answer them every few days when working. GOOD LUCK!