Home > Forum > Brokers Really Don’T Have An Idea What Small Companies Do When They Don’T Turn In Loads To Be Paid.

Brokers really don’t have an idea what small companies do when they don’t turn in loads to be paid.

Oct 07, 2020 at 09:11 AM CST
+ 62 - 10

What we do to keep old trucks on the road to haul cheap grain for brokers who don't want or care to pay you in a timely manner. From taking out small loans to parking and working a side job to playing video poker at the casinos. We bust our equipment up on the roughest roads and pull out of fields that tractors get stuck to make your life in that chair you sit in a little more comfortable so you can screw with people who work their equipment hard to get the load from the farms to the mills or feedyards or plants. Allot of us have to go from loads to loads to make our payments insurance companies don't give a shit if your not paid but they care if your payment to them isn't on time . Bankers still get payed and most parts and fuel are pre paid nowadays as many people don't use in house credit or maxed out credit cards. I see more companies trucks going by and when you run the small independent trucks out of business you will pay the big companies what they want to haul your product or they will just "cut you out to " . I proudly sign my name to this Bryan Hugen ,H and H trucking ,Gordon Ne.

Replied on Wed, Oct 07, 2020 at 06:53 PM CST
+ 4
Imagine if an auto repair shop sells jane a set of tires for her car. Jane says to them, I'll pay you for the tires in 45 days, or else I'll pay you now, but I'll keep 5 percent for myself if I pay you now. Id guess the auto shop would never do business with Jane again....

Its sad to see so many thumbs downs on your post. Luckily for me , I haul almost 100 percent direct with the shippers now, so im usually paid instantly. I feel bad for the good quality shippers and brokers. They are getting outnumbered, and the good ones have to pick up the financial slaque that the scum bags leave. Unfortunately I have to charge some people 4 or 5 bucks a loaded mile, because I have to bounce empty for 300 or 400 miles, at least, because I refuse to haul a load that even pays 1.80 per mile. The whole situation puts unnecessary burden on good people.
Replied on Thu, Oct 08, 2020 at 07:37 AM CST
+ 4 - 1
I have come to realize that this industry is no longer a business, it’s a hobby because a business makes a profit, or it goes out of business, but if it’s a hobby you just keep doing it, for recreational purposes, ie building show trucks, while you live on food stamps and go without health care. Spend a few minutes on google, and you will find that a trucking operation only makes 5 cents on a dollar on it’s best day, well the average person working a normal job and investing in a 401k makes 4-8% on their investment, so if making money is the motivation for trucking, it’s not a very good plan, and could explain why companies like YRC, had to be bailed out, even though they had direct customers, and get paid up front in the LTL market. 5% In trucking is the best, but even YRC didn’t see it, or they wouldn’t have gotten bailed out, 2% is far more common, and if anything goes wrong? Your done.
Replied on Thu, Oct 08, 2020 at 08:38 AM CST
+ 4 - 1

Bryan, I would consider running your business like a business. That's what your banker and insurance company do. In case you are unaware, you are selling a service and the broker is your customer.

Replied on Thu, Oct 08, 2020 at 10:17 AM CST
+ 2
I don’t blame Bryan for being frustrated, sometimes it’s the broker but most of the time it’s other carriers setting the rates by undercutting the market. Some of my colleagues pay their company drivers with a 1099, others exploit immigrants, often skirting work comp, and unemployment insurance, and I am forced to complete against them. The sad fact of the matter is, people will not do what is right on their own, government must force them.
Replied on Fri, Oct 09, 2020 at 07:27 AM CST
+ 1
Quote: "I don’t blame Bryan for being frustrated, sometimes it’s the broker but most of the time it’s other carriers setting the rates by undercutting the market. Some of my colleagues pay their company drivers with a 1099, others exploit immigrants, often skirting work comp, and unemployment insurance, and I am forced to complete against them. The sad fact of the matter is, people will not do what is right on their own, government must force them. "

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE CROOKS EVERYWHERE IN EVERY INDUSTRY BUT IT IS UP TO US TO TELL THEM NO WAY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! WHAT IS ALSO BAD IS SOME OF THESE COMPANIES MIGHT ALSO BE GETTING TAX BREAKS FOR HIRING THE IMMIGRANTS. NOT RACIST AND I WANT EVERYONE TO HAVE A GOOD OPORTUNITY BUT BE FAIR AND ETHICAL. THOSE FAKE 1099 PEOPLE MIGHT FIND OUT SOME DAY THE HARD WAY WHEN THEY HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR CLAIM AGAINST THEM HOW MUCH THE COMPANY OR OWNER IS GOING TO STAND UP FOR THEM OR WILL THEY CUT AND RUN AWAY AND LEAVE THAT SO CALLED FAKE 1099 GUY LEFT TO FACE JAIL OR PRISON.
Replied on Fri, Oct 09, 2020 at 08:18 AM CST
- 1
There is good money in trucking if they would just stop being greedy
Replied on Sun, Oct 11, 2020 at 11:06 AM CST
Quote: "I have come to realize that this industry is no longer a business, it’s a hobby because a business makes a profit, or it goes out of business, but if it’s a hobby you just keep doing it, for recreational purposes, ie building show trucks, while you live on food stamps and go without health care. Spend a few minutes on google, and you will find that a trucking operation only makes 5 cents on a dollar on it’s best day, well the average person working a normal job and investing in a 401k makes 4-8% on their investment, so if making money is the motivation for trucking, it’s not a very good plan, and could explain why companies like YRC, had to be bailed out, even though they had direct customers, and get paid up front in the LTL market. 5% In trucking is the best, but even YRC didn’t see it, or they wouldn’t have gotten bailed out, 2% is far more common, and if anything goes wrong? Your done. "

Then how do company owners become millionaires with just a few trucks?

Replied on Sun, Oct 11, 2020 at 11:07 AM CST
+ 2 - 1

Anyone that has been on this load board long enough probably has noticed "All these brokers are still in business, hired more dispatchers and opened up more offices." And in 2019 there was over 700 trucking companies, small fleets and OO closed their doors and or filed bankruptcy AND 649 trucking companies in 2020. And in these last 2 plus yrs the number of brokers has more than doubled. ...the coin will eventually flip and it will be the brokers turn to close doors. We dont need them anyways.

Replied on Sun, Oct 11, 2020 at 11:07 AM CST
+ 4 - 1
Quote: "There is good money in trucking if they would just stop being greedy"

I am an owner operator driving an old piece of junk - '07 Intl 9400 with 950,000 miles - fuel is 40 cents per mile - what the heck do you need over $2/mile for? Do you want to make over $100,000/yr profit doing 2000 miles/wk? (40 hr work week) Maybe you should go get a degree and an office job. I am a recovering dairy farmer - worked my ass off for nothing for years. Never had is so good as I do now. Power only at $1.70 to $1.80/mile loaded, doing 3000 miles or more per wk, farming on the side. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to drive a truck, so don't expect to be paid like one. Company drivers are lucky to get .60/mile. You telling me that the company (you as an owner operator) need $1/mile to pay insurance taxes etc and keep a truck on the road? If you don't like it (the pay), get out. If the brokers are getting so rich so fast sitting on their asses, why don't you dilute the pool of bad brokers, become a broker yourself and do a good job for us haulers? So many people complaining with their mouths full, or in this case, from their chromed out and LED adorned long nose Pete's with the 6" dual stacks etc. Some people have had it too good for too long, and now they think they deserve a free lunch. There is still a truck driver shortage last I heard. See signs all over looking for CDL drivers. If you can't make it on $2/mile maybe you should drive for someone else, seems your expenses are a little out of whack.

Replied on Sun, Oct 11, 2020 at 04:11 PM CST
+ 4
Quote: "I am an owner operator driving an old piece of junk - '07 Intl 9400 with 950,000 miles - fuel is 40 cents per mile - what the heck do you need over $2/mile for? Do you want to make over $100,000/yr profit doing 2000 miles/wk? (40 hr work week) Maybe you should go get a degree and an office job. I am a recovering dairy farmer - worked my ass off for nothing for years. Never had is so good as I do now. Power only at $1.70 to $1.80/mile loaded, doing 3000 miles or more per wk, farming on the side. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to drive a truck, so don't expect to be paid like one. Company drivers are lucky to get .60/mile. You telling me that the company (you as an owner operator) need $1/mile to pay insurance taxes etc and keep a truck on the road? If you don't like it (the pay), get out. If the brokers are getting so rich so fast sitting on their asses, why don't you dilute the pool of bad brokers, become a broker yourself and do a good job for us haulers? So many people complaining with their mouths full, or in this case, from their chromed out and LED adorned long nose Pete's with the 6" dual stacks etc. Some people have had it too good for too long, and now they think they deserve a free lunch. There is still a truck driver shortage last I heard. See signs all over looking for CDL drivers. If you can't make it on $2/mile maybe you should drive for someone else, seems your expenses are a little out of whack."

Ralph, I suspect you are looking at your expenses on a very short term basis. You went broke farming?? Don't do the same thing trucking. If you choose to drive a pile of crap, that's your decision. I choose to be comfortable, I choose a quiet tall and warm sleeper that has no spiders or mice. I also choose a long nose pete because of resale value, as well as the fact that they are easy to work on, its merely the icing on a beautiful cake, that I get to look good going down the road.

Do you have a family?? Do you know how much it costs to raise kids? Insurance, braces, sports, groceries, a house? I wish you luck ralph running your business your way with your pile of a truck, your words not mine. I have respect for my family, myself and my customers. I choose to look good for my customers, the y choose to pay me rates that would make you think I have a "college degree ", because I'm never late, I do whatever they need at the drop of a hat with zero warning.

I went broke farming too, the difference between you and me, is that im NEVER going to go broke again. I really do wish you the best, but you are virtue signaling about your lack of greedyness and doing your best to shame those of us that do this as a professional career, and I have no time for that.
Replied on Sun, Oct 11, 2020 at 04:11 PM CST
+ 1 - 1
Quote: "Then how do company owners become millionaires with just a few trucks? "

Inheritance.
Replied on Sun, Oct 11, 2020 at 04:11 PM CST
+ 2
Quote: "I am an owner operator driving an old piece of junk - '07 Intl 9400 with 950,000 miles - fuel is 40 cents per mile - what the heck do you need over $2/mile for? Do you want to make over $100,000/yr profit doing 2000 miles/wk? (40 hr work week) Maybe you should go get a degree and an office job. I am a recovering dairy farmer - worked my ass off for nothing for years. Never had is so good as I do now. Power only at $1.70 to $1.80/mile loaded, doing 3000 miles or more per wk, farming on the side. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to drive a truck, so don't expect to be paid like one. Company drivers are lucky to get .60/mile. You telling me that the company (you as an owner operator) need $1/mile to pay insurance taxes etc and keep a truck on the road? If you don't like it (the pay), get out. If the brokers are getting so rich so fast sitting on their asses, why don't you dilute the pool of bad brokers, become a broker yourself and do a good job for us haulers? So many people complaining with their mouths full, or in this case, from their chromed out and LED adorned long nose Pete's with the 6" dual stacks etc. Some people have had it too good for too long, and now they think they deserve a free lunch. There is still a truck driver shortage last I heard. See signs all over looking for CDL drivers. If you can't make it on $2/mile maybe you should drive for someone else, seems your expenses are a little out of whack."

Do you get your loads from a guy named Jimmy wells?
Replied on Mon, Oct 12, 2020 at 07:46 AM CST
A good business man understands the market, it's pontential and it's limitations, so incuded below are some links to put stuff into perspective.

https://www.trucker.com/business/article/21746996/profit-margins-for-trucking-companies-on-the-rise#:~:text=Privately%20held%20general%20freight%20trucking,over%20the%20last%20six%20years.

https://smartasset.com/retirement/average-401k-return#:~:text=Many%20retirement%20planners%20suggest%20the,contributions%2C%20investment%20selection%20and%20fees.

https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/accounting/profit-margin/#:~:text=You%20may%20be%20asking%20yourself,a%205%25%20margin%20is%20low.
Replied on Mon, Oct 12, 2020 at 07:48 AM CST
I dont think you understand the cost of an employee. Wage is just part of the pay. Wait till you have to pay for an overhaul
Replied on Mon, Oct 12, 2020 at 09:05 AM CST
If you look at the data from ATRI, 2 bucks a mile is pretty much the break even point. Some folks may choose to get their info from beer hall BS experts, but I prefer to look at the same data that financial institutions and insurance companies see.
Replied on Mon, Oct 12, 2020 at 12:02 PM CST
+ 1
Quote: "I am an owner operator driving an old piece of junk - '07 Intl 9400 with 950,000 miles - fuel is 40 cents per mile - what the heck do you need over $2/mile for? Do you want to make over $100,000/yr profit doing 2000 miles/wk? (40 hr work week) Maybe you should go get a degree and an office job. I am a recovering dairy farmer - worked my ass off for nothing for years. Never had is so good as I do now. Power only at $1.70 to $1.80/mile loaded, doing 3000 miles or more per wk, farming on the side. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to drive a truck, so don't expect to be paid like one. Company drivers are lucky to get .60/mile. You telling me that the company (you as an owner operator) need $1/mile to pay insurance taxes etc and keep a truck on the road? If you don't like it (the pay), get out. If the brokers are getting so rich so fast sitting on their asses, why don't you dilute the pool of bad brokers, become a broker yourself and do a good job for us haulers? So many people complaining with their mouths full, or in this case, from their chromed out and LED adorned long nose Pete's with the 6" dual stacks etc. Some people have had it too good for too long, and now they think they deserve a free lunch. There is still a truck driver shortage last I heard. See signs all over looking for CDL drivers. If you can't make it on $2/mile maybe you should drive for someone else, seems your expenses are a little out of whack."

Hey I beat you on a few things. I have an 06 9900 with 1.3 on it. Do I want to work for less than the guy with payments and the 2020 shiny truck? No I want to work for the same or more. This leaky old mouse house isn't worth anything so my plan is to just send it till it stops and then upgrade so I would like to save up for that moment NOT UNDERCUT my fellow coworkers [ which is all of you] .
Replied on Thu, Oct 15, 2020 at 10:11 AM CST
Quote: "Do you get your loads from a guy named Jimmy wells? "

🤦‍♂️
Replied on Thu, Oct 15, 2020 at 10:11 AM CST
Quote: "I am an owner operator driving an old piece of junk - '07 Intl 9400 with 950,000 miles - fuel is 40 cents per mile - what the heck do you need over $2/mile for? Do you want to make over $100,000/yr profit doing 2000 miles/wk? (40 hr work week) Maybe you should go get a degree and an office job. I am a recovering dairy farmer - worked my ass off for nothing for years. Never had is so good as I do now. Power only at $1.70 to $1.80/mile loaded, doing 3000 miles or more per wk, farming on the side. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to drive a truck, so don't expect to be paid like one. Company drivers are lucky to get .60/mile. You telling me that the company (you as an owner operator) need $1/mile to pay insurance taxes etc and keep a truck on the road? If you don't like it (the pay), get out. If the brokers are getting so rich so fast sitting on their asses, why don't you dilute the pool of bad brokers, become a broker yourself and do a good job for us haulers? So many people complaining with their mouths full, or in this case, from their chromed out and LED adorned long nose Pete's with the 6" dual stacks etc. Some people have had it too good for too long, and now they think they deserve a free lunch. There is still a truck driver shortage last I heard. See signs all over looking for CDL drivers. If you can't make it on $2/mile maybe you should drive for someone else, seems your expenses are a little out of whack."

Ralph, do you run a farm plate, farm insurance. Are you the one out there cutting rates? Listen farmer it's time you went back to farming oh you can't that's right you couldn't make it farming..
Replied on Thu, Oct 15, 2020 at 10:21 AM CST
Quote: "Ralph, do you run a farm plate, farm insurance. Are you the one out there cutting rates? Listen farmer it's time you went back to farming oh you can't that's right you couldn't make it farming.."

I bet the list of failed "trucking companies" o/o's etc.rivels the list of farmers.

Replied on Fri, Oct 16, 2020 at 09:38 AM CST
Quote: "I bet the list of failed "trucking companies" o/o's etc.rivels the list of farmers."

Well I see a lot of new immigrants that are now fleet owners, but I don’t see any that own thousands of acres of farmland, so?
Replied on Tue, Oct 20, 2020 at 07:28 AM CST
+ 1 - 2
Really how stupid of a comparisons. Land is 7 8 9 thousand and acre you can buy a cheap truck for 10000. Dave just move on to a new profession if you hate this one so bad
Replied on Tue, Oct 20, 2020 at 01:12 PM CST
+ 2
Quote: "Really how stupid of a comparisons. Land is 7 8 9 thousand and acre you can buy a cheap truck for 10000. Dave just move on to a new profession if you hate this one so bad"

I think he was agreeing with you Eric.

I think both farming and trucking have hobby problems as dave has mentioned. I think its understandable to require an outside job to fund a carreer goal for a short while, but after a few years, what's the point. Personally, if I stuck my farm hobby money into a meaningful hobby.....id probably have 2 fully restored chevelles.67s.
Balanced and fuel injected396s.muncie rock crushers....posi 4.11s, wrinkle walled hoosiers, But no, I have an annoyed banker instead of a 9.98 second quarter mile time.
Replied on Tue, Oct 20, 2020 at 01:12 PM CST
+ 1 - 1
Quote: "Really how stupid of a comparisons. Land is 7 8 9 thousand and acre you can buy a cheap truck for 10000. Dave just move on to a new profession if you hate this one so bad"

I don't know where you are pulling 7-9 grand an arce out of but that's not accurate. For $10,000, I could buy 5000 acres. Get outta here with that!

Replied on Tue, Oct 20, 2020 at 01:12 PM CST
Quote: "Really how stupid of a comparisons. Land is 7 8 9 thousand and acre you can buy a cheap truck for 10000. Dave just move on to a new profession if you hate this one so bad"

The national average of an acre of farm land is $3,160

Replied on Tue, Oct 20, 2020 at 10:07 PM CST
+ 1
Come to Minnesota or Iowa land is not 3000 an acre
Replied on Wed, Oct 21, 2020 at 07:10 AM CST
Does this have anything to do, with why land in minnesota is above the national average? https://www.startribune.com/in-first-year-of-trade-bailout-to-farmers-minnesotans-were-the-no-3-recipients/512684832/
Replied on Wed, Oct 21, 2020 at 08:14 AM CST
Yeah if you pay 3k or less an acre you probably end up with nuclear wasteland with stumps everywhere and rocks and land that would that would need over 100 ton of chicken manure per acre to make 200 bushels of corn per acre.
Replied on Wed, Oct 21, 2020 at 09:00 AM CST
+ 3

I normally dont post on Forums. In fact I normally avoid them like the plague. Why go where everyone is complaining all the time right? But this one caught my eye.

It isn't the broker, or the customer, or the truck. The problem is communication. Most trucks have ZERO transparency with their broker and vice versa. Has anyone stopped to ask the broker what they are making? Have you bothered to ask what it takes to run a brokerage? Yes the broker makes $200-$250 on your load. Sometimes even more. The reason that the broker takes that is to keep the doors open. They manage more trucking relationships, accounting, and carrier setups than you can imagine. Something the customer obviously doesnt want to do themselves. Its stupid expensive to do so and managing the relationships with carriers is not easy. Think about your drivers and managing them for a 50 truck fleet. At times brokers are managing thousands of loads not just a mere 50 trucks. That requires manpower. Not just brokers but admin and back end staff just like your company but on a much larger scale. That comes at a pretty big cost. You get what you pay for and if you need it done right like we all do, then its expensive to keep good talent.

And they are a business just like yours. They didnt get in the business to break even. They did it to make money just like you. To get mad at them for making a profit is a little silly. I dont get mad at you for growing your business. Actually getting mad at them for rates is a little hard to swallow. They call day in and day out to get the customers. Did your sales team or you yourself call to the customer and foster that relationship over a year sometimes just to get your first load? Nope you posted your truck and waited for a broker to call you with work from one day to the next. No extra work to sit and wait for someone to call you with work? See it doesn't sound so great when you put it like that. If you dont like the rates the broker is giving you, NOTHING is preventing you from calling a customer (not back soliciting and there are tons of customers out there so you dont have do to things dirty) and making your own rates. And if that customer refers you to a broker it's because they don't want to deal with the carrier directly. Honestly a lot of them don't. It seems everyone is hungry but wants to gripe instead of getting off their butt and doing something about it. While we are talking about rates, you have a truck. You tell the broker what you need. The broker says nope I need to be here. You then say okay?!?! Why? If you leave money on the table that is your own lack of negotiation skills. Try spending some time taking a negotiation class (not being facetious that is actually a thing) instead of spending the time on here griping about rates. And it is okay to walk away from cheap freight. One of two things will happen. That freight will either get more money to pay the truck the right rate or the freight can sit. Your level of need dictates that. Don't be greedy but make sure you eat.

Here is an even better idea. HAVE A CANDID CONVERSATION WITH YOUR BROKER. We CANT do this job without you. You are the lifeblood of this country. This reply isn't meant to demean you. It is meant to wake you up. But that doesn't mean you have to beat them up every time either. Instead realize that they represent you. They only make money when they are using your truck and you the same. Let them find the loads for you but be flexible enough in your rate to help them lock it down for you. Have them be what they are meant to be which is a partner. If you work in tandem with your broker and have them help you find reloads and lanes that are profitable, I can gaurantee things will be okay.

I hope everyone takes something away from this reply. We really have to stop villifying each other. At this point the broken record is not being heard by anyone. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Maybe it is time to do something different.

Replied on Thu, Oct 22, 2020 at 07:26 AM CST
+ 1
Steven, I'm covering my butt like always by saying its not all brokers. But a lack of communication is NOT the trucks fault if the load is being brokered 3 times before it gets to the truck. As far as a candid conversation? That hasn't worked and that's why they are considering bringing in government intervention, because if the trucker dares to ask what the broker is making, the trucker gets black listed....hurray for communication.

And by all means, please break down your expenses. Also break down your income for us. Transparency, right? Us truckers are always breaking down our expenses publicly because we have nothing to hide. Let's share the numbers.

In my opinion, shippers dont "need" you, especially in the age of technology, with bulkloads, communication is pretty easy between a shipper and a truck. In my opinion, the only "need" is reputation. Good brokers carry that and don't need to advertis.

My intention isn't to come off as a dick. We aren't just complaining, its a social aspect as well, to talk with our peers. Im not trying to be a broker basher, there are plenty of pricks in trucks too. But I'm sensing some more virtue signaling.....good luck Steven. Any relation to stephan king the writer????
Replied on Thu, Oct 22, 2020 at 07:27 AM CST
+ 1
I guess to add to what I posted, its totally acceptable for Lowe's to charge me 250 bucks to deliver a new oven 80miles, but we are just "complaining " by thinking its a joke for a truck to get paid 250 bucks to move 1000 bushels 200 miles? Maybe I'm misunderstanding.
Replied on Thu, Oct 22, 2020 at 07:28 AM CST
Quote: "I normally dont post on Forums. In fact I normally avoid them like the plague. Why go where everyone is complaining all the time right? But this one caught my eye. It isn't the broker, or the customer, or the truck. The problem is communication. Most trucks have ZERO transparency with their broker and vice versa. Has anyone stopped to ask the broker what they are making? Have you bothered to ask what it takes to run a brokerage? Yes the broker makes $200-$250 on your load. Sometimes even more. The reason that the broker takes that is to keep the doors open. They manage more trucking relationships, accounting, and carrier setups than you can imagine. Something the customer obviously doesnt want to do themselves. Its stupid expensive to do so and managing the relationships with carriers is not easy. Think about your drivers and managing them for a 50 truck fleet. At times brokers are managing thousands of loads not just a mere 50 trucks. That requires manpower. Not just brokers but admin and back end staff just like your company but on a much larger scale. That comes at a pretty big cost. You get what you pay for and if you need it done right like we all do, then its expensive to keep good talent. And they are a business just like yours. They didnt get in the business to break even. They did it to make money just like you. To get mad at them for making a profit is a little silly. I dont get mad at you for growing your business. Actually getting mad at them for rates is a little hard to swallow. They call day in and day out to get the customers. Did your sales team or you yourself call to the customer and foster that relationship over a year sometimes just to get your first load? Nope you posted your truck and waited for a broker to call you with work from one day to the next. No extra work to sit and wait for someone to call you with work? See it doesn't sound so great when you put it like that. If you dont like the rates the broker is giving you, NOTHING is preventing you from calling a customer (not back soliciting and there are tons of customers out there so you dont have do to things dirty) and making your own rates. And if that customer refers you to a broker it's because they don't want to deal with the carrier directly. Honestly a lot of them don't. It seems everyone is hungry but wants to gripe instead of getting off their butt and doing something about it. While we are talking about rates, you have a truck. You tell the broker what you need. The broker says nope I need to be here. You then say okay?!?! Why? If you leave money on the table that is your own lack of negotiation skills. Try spending some time taking a negotiation class (not being facetious that is actually a thing) instead of spending the time on here griping about rates. And it is okay to walk away from cheap freight. One of two things will happen. That freight will either get more money to pay the truck the right rate or the freight can sit. Your level of need dictates that. Don't be greedy but make sure you eat. Here is an even better idea. HAVE A CANDID CONVERSATION WITH YOUR BROKER. We CANT do this job without you. You are the lifeblood of this country. This reply isn't meant to demean you. It is meant to wake you up. But that doesn't mean you have to beat them up every time either. Instead realize that they represent you. They only make money when they are using your truck and you the same. Let them find the loads for you but be flexible enough in your rate to help them lock it down for you. Have them be what they are meant to be which is a partner. If you work in tandem with your broker and have them help you find reloads and lanes that are profitable, I can gaurantee things will be okay. I hope everyone takes something away from this reply. We really have to stop villifying each other. At this point the broken record is not being heard by anyone. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Maybe it is time to do something different. "

You are right in what you said. I am also involved in farming and have bought and sold farm land. It seems that a lot of people on here like always wine about how a broker got the best of them. maybe the broker did but I would challenge that they let themselves be taken advantage of. I really have no control of what CHS, CARGIL, OR ADM OR the supermarket are going to make for a profit off the grain I sell off my farm. But what I DO have control of is how I conduct my business, expenses, staff, management, accounting profesionals, maintenance, relationships, family, church, education, looking in the mirror at least once per day, being able to give a banker a legit balance sheet even if it is good or bad as long as the numbers are real. What bothers me the most i think is the amount of money this country puts into public education and this country still has a huge surplus of absolute idiots. I really don't know how Kevin Rutherford can even handle doing his job sometimes with some of the morons that will call into his show. I played sports when I was young and I think I was probably taught how to work with others maybe more and respect peoples weaknesses and praise other people for their extra talents more. I was also an eagle scout. ONCE A SCOUT ALWAYS A SCOUT. and i would like to think it taught me as to when things don't always go right, should i blame others or should I ask myself what should I have done different or what should I be responsible for changing.
Replied on Thu, Oct 22, 2020 at 06:08 PM CST
Quote: "I normally dont post on Forums. In fact I normally avoid them like the plague. Why go where everyone is complaining all the time right? But this one caught my eye. It isn't the broker, or the customer, or the truck. The problem is communication. Most trucks have ZERO transparency with their broker and vice versa. Has anyone stopped to ask the broker what they are making? Have you bothered to ask what it takes to run a brokerage? Yes the broker makes $200-$250 on your load. Sometimes even more. The reason that the broker takes that is to keep the doors open. They manage more trucking relationships, accounting, and carrier setups than you can imagine. Something the customer obviously doesnt want to do themselves. Its stupid expensive to do so and managing the relationships with carriers is not easy. Think about your drivers and managing them for a 50 truck fleet. At times brokers are managing thousands of loads not just a mere 50 trucks. That requires manpower. Not just brokers but admin and back end staff just like your company but on a much larger scale. That comes at a pretty big cost. You get what you pay for and if you need it done right like we all do, then its expensive to keep good talent. And they are a business just like yours. They didnt get in the business to break even. They did it to make money just like you. To get mad at them for making a profit is a little silly. I dont get mad at you for growing your business. Actually getting mad at them for rates is a little hard to swallow. They call day in and day out to get the customers. Did your sales team or you yourself call to the customer and foster that relationship over a year sometimes just to get your first load? Nope you posted your truck and waited for a broker to call you with work from one day to the next. No extra work to sit and wait for someone to call you with work? See it doesn't sound so great when you put it like that. If you dont like the rates the broker is giving you, NOTHING is preventing you from calling a customer (not back soliciting and there are tons of customers out there so you dont have do to things dirty) and making your own rates. And if that customer refers you to a broker it's because they don't want to deal with the carrier directly. Honestly a lot of them don't. It seems everyone is hungry but wants to gripe instead of getting off their butt and doing something about it. While we are talking about rates, you have a truck. You tell the broker what you need. The broker says nope I need to be here. You then say okay?!?! Why? If you leave money on the table that is your own lack of negotiation skills. Try spending some time taking a negotiation class (not being facetious that is actually a thing) instead of spending the time on here griping about rates. And it is okay to walk away from cheap freight. One of two things will happen. That freight will either get more money to pay the truck the right rate or the freight can sit. Your level of need dictates that. Don't be greedy but make sure you eat. Here is an even better idea. HAVE A CANDID CONVERSATION WITH YOUR BROKER. We CANT do this job without you. You are the lifeblood of this country. This reply isn't meant to demean you. It is meant to wake you up. But that doesn't mean you have to beat them up every time either. Instead realize that they represent you. They only make money when they are using your truck and you the same. Let them find the loads for you but be flexible enough in your rate to help them lock it down for you. Have them be what they are meant to be which is a partner. If you work in tandem with your broker and have them help you find reloads and lanes that are profitable, I can gaurantee things will be okay. I hope everyone takes something away from this reply. We really have to stop villifying each other. At this point the broken record is not being heard by anyone. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Maybe it is time to do something different. "

This story seems to conflict with your opinion about how nobody is listening to the broke record. https://cdllife.com/2020/truckers-blast-freight-brokers-in-comments-to-fmcsa/
Replied on Thu, Dec 31, 2020 at 07:18 AM CST
My gawd. You poor soul. What kind of gun do is these brokers use that it messes with your brain cells? Do you have any left? If brokers make so much money off “real truckers like you”, then why not become a broker yourself? My gosh you must lead a miserable life.
Replied on Thu, Dec 31, 2020 at 07:19 AM CST
Quote: "I have come to realize that this industry is no longer a business, it’s a hobby because a business makes a profit, or it goes out of business, but if it’s a hobby you just keep doing it, for recreational purposes, ie building show trucks, while you live on food stamps and go without health care. Spend a few minutes on google, and you will find that a trucking operation only makes 5 cents on a dollar on it’s best day, well the average person working a normal job and investing in a 401k makes 4-8% on their investment, so if making money is the motivation for trucking, it’s not a very good plan, and could explain why companies like YRC, had to be bailed out, even though they had direct customers, and get paid up front in the LTL market. 5% In trucking is the best, but even YRC didn’t see it, or they wouldn’t have gotten bailed out, 2% is far more common, and if anything goes wrong? Your done. "

You’re off on your figures there Einstein. A lot of LTL carries make more the .05 on the dollar. And it’s quarterly at best. The average yearly for Roadway was better a lot of the times more than bad. Insurance took out CF. YRC bought out roadway which was in better shape than yellow. O/O only doing .05 will not make it.
Replied on Thu, Dec 31, 2020 at 07:19 AM CST
Quote: "THERE WILL ALWAYS BE CROOKS EVERYWHERE IN EVERY INDUSTRY BUT IT IS UP TO US TO TELL THEM NO WAY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! WHAT IS ALSO BAD IS SOME OF THESE COMPANIES MIGHT ALSO BE GETTING TAX BREAKS FOR HIRING THE IMMIGRANTS. NOT RACIST AND I WANT EVERYONE TO HAVE A GOOD OPORTUNITY BUT BE FAIR AND ETHICAL. THOSE FAKE 1099 PEOPLE MIGHT FIND OUT SOME DAY THE HARD WAY WHEN THEY HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR CLAIM AGAINST THEM HOW MUCH THE COMPANY OR OWNER IS GOING TO STAND UP FOR THEM OR WILL THEY CUT AND RUN AWAY AND LEAVE THAT SO CALLED FAKE 1099 GUY LEFT TO FACE JAIL OR PRISON."

It will be the owner who goes to jail if he is doing the “1099” thing.
Replied on Fri, Jan 01, 2021 at 04:27 PM CST
Use a factoring company and get paid. Well worth the 3%! Don’t look at it as expense look at it as a tool. I factor everything. I never wait more than a day for my money.
Replied on Fri, Jan 01, 2021 at 04:27 PM CST
Quote: "I don’t blame Bryan for being frustrated, sometimes it’s the broker but most of the time it’s other carriers setting the rates by undercutting the market. Some of my colleagues pay their company drivers with a 1099, others exploit immigrants, often skirting work comp, and unemployment insurance, and I am forced to complete against them. The sad fact of the matter is, people will not do what is right on their own, government must force them. "

2099 is great since the Trump tax plan . Sure no unemployment but you still get all the deductions . W2 does not .

I would not drive on w2 unless local . I pay less than 300 in taxes on about 7 months working. Of course I have to also save back for retirement SS . . .

Replied on Fri, Jan 01, 2021 at 04:28 PM CST
Quote: "THERE WILL ALWAYS BE CROOKS EVERYWHERE IN EVERY INDUSTRY BUT IT IS UP TO US TO TELL THEM NO WAY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! WHAT IS ALSO BAD IS SOME OF THESE COMPANIES MIGHT ALSO BE GETTING TAX BREAKS FOR HIRING THE IMMIGRANTS. NOT RACIST AND I WANT EVERYONE TO HAVE A GOOD OPORTUNITY BUT BE FAIR AND ETHICAL. THOSE FAKE 1099 PEOPLE MIGHT FIND OUT SOME DAY THE HARD WAY WHEN THEY HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR CLAIM AGAINST THEM HOW MUCH THE COMPANY OR OWNER IS GOING TO STAND UP FOR THEM OR WILL THEY CUT AND RUN AWAY AND LEAVE THAT SO CALLED FAKE 1099 GUY LEFT TO FACE JAIL OR PRISON."

I know at least here you can still sue work comp even if you get paid cash under table as long as you are a full time employee.

Not sure on 1099 driver . But personally I like being a 1099 driver .

Replied on Fri, Jan 01, 2021 at 04:28 PM CST
Quote: "I am an owner operator driving an old piece of junk - '07 Intl 9400 with 950,000 miles - fuel is 40 cents per mile - what the heck do you need over $2/mile for? Do you want to make over $100,000/yr profit doing 2000 miles/wk? (40 hr work week) Maybe you should go get a degree and an office job. I am a recovering dairy farmer - worked my ass off for nothing for years. Never had is so good as I do now. Power only at $1.70 to $1.80/mile loaded, doing 3000 miles or more per wk, farming on the side. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to drive a truck, so don't expect to be paid like one. Company drivers are lucky to get .60/mile. You telling me that the company (you as an owner operator) need $1/mile to pay insurance taxes etc and keep a truck on the road? If you don't like it (the pay), get out. If the brokers are getting so rich so fast sitting on their asses, why don't you dilute the pool of bad brokers, become a broker yourself and do a good job for us haulers? So many people complaining with their mouths full, or in this case, from their chromed out and LED adorned long nose Pete's with the 6" dual stacks etc. Some people have had it too good for too long, and now they think they deserve a free lunch. There is still a truck driver shortage last I heard. See signs all over looking for CDL drivers. If you can't make it on $2/mile maybe you should drive for someone else, seems your expenses are a little out of whack."

I drove the same truck for a couple years . I liked it. It had enough room in sleeper to put my big koolstton fridge on the floor under cabinet . [ Cascadia and Pete did not ] . Had plenty of upper cabinet space . Nothing fancy looking but s good truck. I was actually thinking of buying one .

Replied on Fri, Jan 01, 2021 at 04:28 PM CST
Quote: "I dont think you understand the cost of an employee. Wage is just part of the pay. Wait till you have to pay for an overhaul "

Especially if you can not do it yourself

Replied on Fri, Jan 01, 2021 at 04:28 PM CST
Quote: "I bet the list of failed "trucking companies" o/o's etc.rivels the list of farmers."

But truckers do not get massive gov bailouts every few years and do not get paid to not haul tomatoes on the same tisd they haul corn on. They fo not get huge insurance payoffs when work sucks [ no rain, Ca ching ! ] too , much rain , ca ching !

Then sell off the grain from last year at twice the price and what survived this year st twice plus the insurance for what died .. $$

Explains them farmers with 2 million dollar combine bought new each year and that horse barn that looks like a rock stars mansion . . . .

Replied on Fri, Jan 01, 2021 at 04:28 PM CST
Quote: "I don't know where you are pulling 7-9 grand an arce out of but that's not accurate. For $10,000, I could buy 5000 acres. Get outta here with that!"

Well buy one with lots of woods and send it to me. I can't buy 1 acre for 10k in ks

Replied on Fri, Jan 01, 2021 at 04:29 PM CST
Quote: "I normally dont post on Forums. In fact I normally avoid them like the plague. Why go where everyone is complaining all the time right? But this one caught my eye. It isn't the broker, or the customer, or the truck. The problem is communication. Most trucks have ZERO transparency with their broker and vice versa. Has anyone stopped to ask the broker what they are making? Have you bothered to ask what it takes to run a brokerage? Yes the broker makes $200-$250 on your load. Sometimes even more. The reason that the broker takes that is to keep the doors open. They manage more trucking relationships, accounting, and carrier setups than you can imagine. Something the customer obviously doesnt want to do themselves. Its stupid expensive to do so and managing the relationships with carriers is not easy. Think about your drivers and managing them for a 50 truck fleet. At times brokers are managing thousands of loads not just a mere 50 trucks. That requires manpower. Not just brokers but admin and back end staff just like your company but on a much larger scale. That comes at a pretty big cost. You get what you pay for and if you need it done right like we all do, then its expensive to keep good talent. And they are a business just like yours. They didnt get in the business to break even. They did it to make money just like you. To get mad at them for making a profit is a little silly. I dont get mad at you for growing your business. Actually getting mad at them for rates is a little hard to swallow. They call day in and day out to get the customers. Did your sales team or you yourself call to the customer and foster that relationship over a year sometimes just to get your first load? Nope you posted your truck and waited for a broker to call you with work from one day to the next. No extra work to sit and wait for someone to call you with work? See it doesn't sound so great when you put it like that. If you dont like the rates the broker is giving you, NOTHING is preventing you from calling a customer (not back soliciting and there are tons of customers out there so you dont have do to things dirty) and making your own rates. And if that customer refers you to a broker it's because they don't want to deal with the carrier directly. Honestly a lot of them don't. It seems everyone is hungry but wants to gripe instead of getting off their butt and doing something about it. While we are talking about rates, you have a truck. You tell the broker what you need. The broker says nope I need to be here. You then say okay?!?! Why? If you leave money on the table that is your own lack of negotiation skills. Try spending some time taking a negotiation class (not being facetious that is actually a thing) instead of spending the time on here griping about rates. And it is okay to walk away from cheap freight. One of two things will happen. That freight will either get more money to pay the truck the right rate or the freight can sit. Your level of need dictates that. Don't be greedy but make sure you eat. Here is an even better idea. HAVE A CANDID CONVERSATION WITH YOUR BROKER. We CANT do this job without you. You are the lifeblood of this country. This reply isn't meant to demean you. It is meant to wake you up. But that doesn't mean you have to beat them up every time either. Instead realize that they represent you. They only make money when they are using your truck and you the same. Let them find the loads for you but be flexible enough in your rate to help them lock it down for you. Have them be what they are meant to be which is a partner. If you work in tandem with your broker and have them help you find reloads and lanes that are profitable, I can gaurantee things will be okay. I hope everyone takes something away from this reply. We really have to stop villifying each other. At this point the broken record is not being heard by anyone. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Maybe it is time to do something different. "

I get told a lot that I should use a ;isd board and not pay s broker . But isn't it the same thing. Doesn't these loads get posted by brokers ? If so then you are paying the broker anyway but doing more work.

I don't know, just my thought . Really have no experience in this matter.

Replied on Fri, Jan 01, 2021 at 04:29 PM CST
Quote: "My gawd. You poor soul. What kind of gun do is these brokers use that it messes with your brain cells? Do you have any left? If brokers make so much money off “real truckers like you”, then why not become a broker yourself? My gosh you must lead a miserable life."

Mr.Nickels, how nice to hear from you, I see you finally came up for air from under the broker’s desk, unfortunately the object in your mouth seems have caused oxygen deprivation to your brain, last time I heard from you you were telling us how the ELD would make make us better off, perhaps you could explain that to everyone again?
Replied on Fri, Jan 01, 2021 at 04:29 PM CST
Quote: "Well I see a lot of new immigrants that are now fleet owners, but I don’t see any that own thousands of acres of farmland, so?"

You got to be rich to buy farm land these days . The investors are quite willing to pay outrageous money for land to build ghetto housing on or condo complexes or home depot's ...

Replied on Fri, Jan 01, 2021 at 04:29 PM CST
Quote: "It will be the owner who goes to jail if he is doing the “1099” thing."

It is not illegal to do 1099. That is a myth. Some states may have a law against going it in their system, I do not know.

Kansas hated it and says it is illegal if you ask them but they are lying.

Company, under fed law, simply can not make you do anything. Can't tell you when to work. How long to work. How to do your job. ...

They can only say " this is what we need done and how it needs to be done and how many loads we need .. " if you agree to that then it is legal . You are a contractor.

They can not then say " you have to pick up this load or else" that makes you sn employee and you can then ,ske them pay back all that SS , unemployment ins ..

I drive 1099. I looked it up and checked it out ahead of time .

Besides, you o/o , are you not filing 1099 on your business ?

Replied on Sat, Jan 02, 2021 at 04:48 PM CST
Quote: "I am an owner operator driving an old piece of junk - '07 Intl 9400 with 950,000 miles - fuel is 40 cents per mile - what the heck do you need over $2/mile for? Do you want to make over $100,000/yr profit doing 2000 miles/wk? (40 hr work week) Maybe you should go get a degree and an office job. I am a recovering dairy farmer - worked my ass off for nothing for years. Never had is so good as I do now. Power only at $1.70 to $1.80/mile loaded, doing 3000 miles or more per wk, farming on the side. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to drive a truck, so don't expect to be paid like one. Company drivers are lucky to get .60/mile. You telling me that the company (you as an owner operator) need $1/mile to pay insurance taxes etc and keep a truck on the road? If you don't like it (the pay), get out. If the brokers are getting so rich so fast sitting on their asses, why don't you dilute the pool of bad brokers, become a broker yourself and do a good job for us haulers? So many people complaining with their mouths full, or in this case, from their chromed out and LED adorned long nose Pete's with the 6" dual stacks etc. Some people have had it too good for too long, and now they think they deserve a free lunch. There is still a truck driver shortage last I heard. See signs all over looking for CDL drivers. If you can't make it on $2/mile maybe you should drive for someone else, seems your expenses are a little out of whack."

Long time ago I was giving my Dad a hard time jokingly about taking Government money offered to Farmers. After he had enough of me he turned and said, if I don't take it someone else will. If brokers or customers are willing to pay over $2 per mile to move their products then why not take it. If I don't someone else will. Make hay while the sun shines bright!!!

Replied on Mon, Jan 04, 2021 at 07:37 AM CST
- 1
There are some groups out there, who seem to get rattled every time truckers start having conversations among themselves, and begin to find agreement among themselves, but those groups cannot risk exposure so instead they send in some disrupters to try and stir the pot, hoping to kill off the conversation, I wonder how a guy from Nebraska who has been in business long enough to own three trucks ( according to DOT records) could be so ignorant about the use of a 1099, and appear to know less than a guy who doesn’t even own a truck?
Replied on Mon, Jan 04, 2021 at 10:14 AM CST
Quote: "The national average of an acre of farm land is $3,160"

Not in Illinois with a P1 test of 145 Your looking at 12,000 an acre and you better have your duck in a row!!!

Replied on Wed, Jun 02, 2021 at 10:03 AM CST
Quote: "I am an owner operator driving an old piece of junk - '07 Intl 9400 with 950,000 miles - fuel is 40 cents per mile - what the heck do you need over $2/mile for? Do you want to make over $100,000/yr profit doing 2000 miles/wk? (40 hr work week) Maybe you should go get a degree and an office job. I am a recovering dairy farmer - worked my ass off for nothing for years. Never had is so good as I do now. Power only at $1.70 to $1.80/mile loaded, doing 3000 miles or more per wk, farming on the side. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to drive a truck, so don't expect to be paid like one. Company drivers are lucky to get .60/mile. You telling me that the company (you as an owner operator) need $1/mile to pay insurance taxes etc and keep a truck on the road? If you don't like it (the pay), get out. If the brokers are getting so rich so fast sitting on their asses, why don't you dilute the pool of bad brokers, become a broker yourself and do a good job for us haulers? So many people complaining with their mouths full, or in this case, from their chromed out and LED adorned long nose Pete's with the 6" dual stacks etc. Some people have had it too good for too long, and now they think they deserve a free lunch. There is still a truck driver shortage last I heard. See signs all over looking for CDL drivers. If you can't make it on $2/mile maybe you should drive for someone else, seems your expenses are a little out of whack."

I don't mean any harm but you and your ideology are the problem. People that come from other industries ruin the truck business over and over again. I DO NOT PUT ANYTHING on my trailer that pays under 2 dollars per mile round trip (4 dollars on loaded mile). The problem is there's too damn many YOUs out there ruining things for us that chose this as a career. I was moving commercial vehicles on a lowboy from MI to CA. It was a lot of work and insurance. It started out paying 14k one way. Then some clown came along and bid 6k for the same work. Over 100 O/O were out of work just like that. So I switched to hauling sand in the oilfield. 100 mile load was paying 750 dollars on a pneumatic in 2019 and before. They didn't even care how much weight you brought. It still paid the full rate. I typically loaded 42k. Then along comes these clowns with hoppers and over weight permits. Instead of going with the flow, they decided they would haul 52k expecting to be paid more because they brought more product. When they weren't they raised hell. NOW we get paid by the ton. So to recap I was getting 750 dollars for 42,000 pounds. NOW we're getting about 500 dollars for 48,000 pounds. FOR THE SAME DAMN LOAD. Aren't you aware that the second they perfect self driving we're all out of work? That's less that 10 years away. If you're happy working for nothing, at the very LEAST stop bragging about it.
Replied on Wed, Jun 02, 2021 at 12:48 PM CST

You shouldn't haul for brokers.

Just sit in your for days & call every farmer in that area until you find one that will pay what you want or need.

I use to do it way when I drove equipment trailers.

I was never over on my logbook, always had a lot of time to rest.

Replied on Thu, Jun 03, 2021 at 11:52 AM CST
Quote: "I am an owner operator driving an old piece of junk - '07 Intl 9400 with 950,000 miles - fuel is 40 cents per mile - what the heck do you need over $2/mile for? Do you want to make over $100,000/yr profit doing 2000 miles/wk? (40 hr work week) Maybe you should go get a degree and an office job. I am a recovering dairy farmer - worked my ass off for nothing for years. Never had is so good as I do now. Power only at $1.70 to $1.80/mile loaded, doing 3000 miles or more per wk, farming on the side. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to drive a truck, so don't expect to be paid like one. Company drivers are lucky to get .60/mile. You telling me that the company (you as an owner operator) need $1/mile to pay insurance taxes etc and keep a truck on the road? If you don't like it (the pay), get out. If the brokers are getting so rich so fast sitting on their asses, why don't you dilute the pool of bad brokers, become a broker yourself and do a good job for us haulers? So many people complaining with their mouths full, or in this case, from their chromed out and LED adorned long nose Pete's with the 6" dual stacks etc. Some people have had it too good for too long, and now they think they deserve a free lunch. There is still a truck driver shortage last I heard. See signs all over looking for CDL drivers. If you can't make it on $2/mile maybe you should drive for someone else, seems your expenses are a little out of whack."

I take issue with your comment sir... They are 7' or 8' stacks! 😎

Replied on Thu, Jun 03, 2021 at 11:52 AM CST
Quote: "Inheritance. "

Exactly.....Or they don't.

Replied on Thu, Jun 03, 2021 at 11:52 AM CST
Quote: "I don't know where you are pulling 7-9 grand an arce out of but that's not accurate. For $10,000, I could buy 5000 acres. Get outta here with that!"

Where? Won't happen in my part of Texas.

Replied on Thu, Jun 03, 2021 at 11:52 AM CST
Quote: "If you look at the data from ATRI, 2 bucks a mile is pretty much the break even point. Some folks may choose to get their info from beer hall BS experts, but I prefer to look at the same data that financial institutions and insurance companies see. "

Dave you forgot to put .com at the end of beer hall BS experts

Replied on Sun, Jun 06, 2021 at 10:41 AM CST
Quote: "I am an owner operator driving an old piece of junk - '07 Intl 9400 with 950,000 miles - fuel is 40 cents per mile - what the heck do you need over $2/mile for? Do you want to make over $100,000/yr profit doing 2000 miles/wk? (40 hr work week) Maybe you should go get a degree and an office job. I am a recovering dairy farmer - worked my ass off for nothing for years. Never had is so good as I do now. Power only at $1.70 to $1.80/mile loaded, doing 3000 miles or more per wk, farming on the side. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to drive a truck, so don't expect to be paid like one. Company drivers are lucky to get .60/mile. You telling me that the company (you as an owner operator) need $1/mile to pay insurance taxes etc and keep a truck on the road? If you don't like it (the pay), get out. If the brokers are getting so rich so fast sitting on their asses, why don't you dilute the pool of bad brokers, become a broker yourself and do a good job for us haulers? So many people complaining with their mouths full, or in this case, from their chromed out and LED adorned long nose Pete's with the 6" dual stacks etc. Some people have had it too good for too long, and now they think they deserve a free lunch. There is still a truck driver shortage last I heard. See signs all over looking for CDL drivers. If you can't make it on $2/mile maybe you should drive for someone else, seems your expenses are a little out of whack."

Another farmer running on farm plates, hauling for hire..
Replied on Sun, Jun 06, 2021 at 05:26 PM CST

Reevaluate where your at business wise. Sounds like your business model is non existent. Plan your work, work your plan. If that doesn't work talk to a business adviser familiar with your business and follow their lead.

Replied on Mon, Jun 07, 2021 at 04:25 PM CST
Quote: "Use a factoring company and get paid. Well worth the 3%! Don’t look at it as expense look at it as a tool. I factor everything. I never wait more than a day for my money."

Do the math on that big fella. That is 36% APR. did you know that?

Replied on Mon, Jun 07, 2021 at 04:51 PM CST
Quote: "Mr.Nickels, how nice to hear from you, I see you finally came up for air from under the broker’s desk, unfortunately the object in your mouth seems have caused oxygen deprivation to your brain, last time I heard from you you were telling us how the ELD would make make us better off, perhaps you could explain that to everyone again? "

You are not worth the time to try to explain that brokers are not the bad guys....nor are eld's. So thx for painting that stupid picture of me. You are just a deprived individual with no brain cells left. I'm glad there is only one of you.