trying to solicit work from company that u dealt w/ while w/ another company

[Big Guy]

If you're a contract o/o driver and have gotten a load to a company, while working w/ a courier company, is it wrong to independently attempt to work w/ the company u dealt w/while w/ another company? Say I work w/Joe Blow's company and although considered a contract o/o driver, the only paperwork I have signed (w/ this comp) was for tax purposes. Joe blow sent me on a run to jim blow's - once b4. Is it wrong to try to get jim blow to hire me to haul loads for him?

[tracer]

If you're a contract o/o driver and have gotten a load to a company, while working w/ a courier company, is it wrong to independently attempt to work w/ the company u dealt w/while w/ another company? Say I work w/Joe Blow's company and although considered a contract o/o driver, the only paperwork I have signed (w/ this comp) was for tax purposes. Joe blow sent me on a run to jim blow's - once b4. Is it wrong to try to get jim blow to hire me to haul loads for him?

You should ask 'Jim Blow' (your target company) to talk to 'Joe Blow' (your current company) to let you come over. I used to work for a temp agency and they kept sending me to drive a truck for one big distribution company. I learned that staff drivers working for this company were paid 17 bucks an hour, while my temp agency paid me only $14/hr for the same work. So I talked to the distribution company and they negotiated with my temp agency and then I started working for them directly and my pay jumped by 3 bucks an hour I think the temp agency charged them a fee to let me come over. But this way everybody was happy.

[Big Guy]

So...what would be the 'down side' to my doing it myself? Joe blow and i collide too much. There is nothing etched in stone - indicating that I can't , is there? Remember, the only paperwork between myself and joe are related to taxes

[tracer]

You have to tell the new company 'A' at some point that you worked for Company 'B' (unless you don't have to give them your resume). I think Company 'A' will respect you more if you're upfront with them from the start. If they don't see it as a big deal, you're off the hook with Company 'B', right?

[rank]

Company A sent you to do a job for company B. You no longer work for company A and you didn't sign a no compete contract? It's wide open for you I'd say. Whether or not it's "wrong" only you can decide.

[crb]

If you didn't sign a non compete clause or something go for it. Its a cut throat world! If you talk to you current company they are going to let you go I know I would. My reasoning is this if you talk to your current company and let's assume they give tgr okay what happens if you and Jim can't cone to turn on the numbers is your company going to keep you till you find one of their other customers to steal? If they didn't have you sign a non compete clause that's there stupidity! This is from a legal stand point. Now would I do this NO because I wouldn't want it done to me of course I would have a non compete clause! I had to sign one when I worked for a small ice house.

[Big Guy]

I still 'work' for A but they won't give me any loads. Being new to trucking, I bought my truck according to what they said they needed -a box truck. Then I started w/their outfit. They kept leading me on, that I would be getting backhauls, but gave me one w/in 3 months. They stressed that as an o/o I can choose the loads to take but it has obviously become an issue that I decline loads that are not worth taking, i.e., going way out and deadheading back, local cheesy runs etc. Getting a truck, to suit their needs, was the worst thing I could have done. Now, I can't get any work out of them. I've gotta make something happen for myself or I'm gonna sink. I had them to put me on the board every day last week and didn't get not 1 load. I'm expecting the same this week - judging from their past behaviors. The light @ the end of the tunnel is that I wiil be w/ this factoring company soon. I've heard a few bad things about these companies but this one promises that they will give 80%. Whatcha think?

[moe]

As stated above, only you can assess your situation. Here was my experience with a similar situation. WE had delivered several loads to a large whse. in my back yard through an out of state large nationwide broker whom we had a great relationship with. I developed a good relationship with the local whse. manager and solicited his local business. first of all I didn't realize they were the brokers cust. I assumed the pick up locations were or I would have never done that. If you get a name as a back stabber it can't help you in the future. The whse. manager smiled and acted in a manner that was encouraging. A couple of days later I got a call from the sales manager from the broker threatening to never load any of our trucks again, that meant the whse. manager couldn't wait to report my sales attempt to them. Losing that broker would not have been detrimental to our operation but it would have been very inconvenient. I did convince him that I didn't realize the local whse. was the shipper, and things worked out OK. Sorry for this long winded story but I hope it helps. My opinion:Unless you know what kind of communications or relationship A and B have, from both a business and moral stand point back soliciting is not a good idea.

[Mackman]

I still 'work' for A but they won't give me any loads. Being new to trucking, I bought my truck according to what they said they needed -a box truck. Then I started w/their outfit. They kept leading me on, that I would be getting backhauls, but gave me one w/in 3 months. They stressed that as an o/o I can choose the loads to take but it has obviously become an issue that I decline loads that are not worth taking, i.e., going way out and deadheading back, local cheesy runs etc. Getting a truck, to suit their needs, was the worst thing I could have done. Now, I can't get any work out of them. I've gotta make something happen for myself or I'm gonna sink. I had them to put me on the board every day last week and didn't get not 1 load. I'm expecting the same this week - judging from their past behaviors. The light @ the end of the tunnel is that I wiil be w/ this factoring company soon. I've heard a few bad things about these companies but this one promises that they will give 80%. Whatcha think?

I dont think you know what a factoring copmpany is. They dont give you any work at all.

[Big Guy]

Thanx. Here is part of my issue tho...the comp I'm with is deliberately not giving me any work already. In the meantime, I am stuck with all of these bills incurred from my having purchased a truck that they suggested I buy to better suit their needs - as well as constantly lie to me about getting backhauls - just to get me to get their loads where they needs to go. I called to be put on the board every day last week - I was offered nothing. Remember, I have been driving 3 months now. At some point I am giong to have to come up w/a way to survive. I'm open to any suggestions and appreciate your input. While they are 'deliberately' not giving me work the bills continue to arrive.

[repete]

This may sound like I'm being hard on you BIG GUY but I'm not, just trying to help
From this post and the your others it's obvious that company"A" is not worried about you or your success. And with that being said Do what you have to to succeed! If that means getting your own customers what are you waiting for? You owe "A" nothing! You have your own authority go out and use it! BUT!!! There are still things that I believe you don't have a grasp on.

Factoring, as said before it is not a brokerage and they will not "hire"you. All a factoring co. does is ADVANCE YOU 80% OF WHAT EVER THE BILLS ARE!! In other words you agree with XYZ to haul from here to there for $1000 (that's it no FSC)you need the $$ NOW so you sign the bills over to Freds Factoring and he puts $800 into your account. You just lost $200 right off the top and that might have been a big part of your profit! Not only that but in some cases if XYZ doesn't pay Fred then Fred will come after you!

Fuel surcharge, did you get this figured out? I know you had some problems with it. Hauling single loads I doubt any one will pay a surcharge as the negotiated price should have the price of fuel figured in. You only really need a FSC when you haul multiple loads of a period of time that the price of fuel changes (lately would be hourly LOL)

Cost per mile, do you know what that is? If not you REALLY need to find out what it is!
Back hauls fit in closely with your costs> Why are you having such are hard time finding a back haul? Do you have a sleeper? If you went from point A to point B, it would be nice to find something going right back to A but that's not going to happen often, you might have to spend the night and grab something going to point C then a stop to D then get back home.

[Big Guy]

You're not being hard and I welcome and appreciate the input. I'm going to go back and research the Eagle factoring comp a lil more tho. I keep getting negative info (from you guys) about factoring. No, i don't have a sleeper, I have a box truck. Being new at this, I'm still trying to 'find my way' so to speak. I started w/ the courier comp - the 1 that convinced me to get the box (to suit their needs). I'm @ fault...I should hve researched the market and gotten better insight. How does the load boards work out? Part of what attracted me to the courier comp was the weekly pay. Shouldn't I be going to businesses to solicit work? Then, I'll have to worry about when(or if) I'll get paid - huh? Is there a certain way to check the businesses record (good or bad paymasters) from a trucker standpoint. I really have get in gear. I just don't know the best approach...as I have been faithful to that 1 comp for my 3 mnths of driving

[LBF]

You better get on with another company, the current one is mad at you, and that won't change.
You aren't ready to go it alone yet. You are shark bait.
You also need to know how to calculate profitable loads, right now.
I'm betting you turned down profitable loads from your current company without realizing it.
Did you read that other thread I linked about costs of running a trucking business?
How much does it cost to run your truck? per mile, per day, per week, per month, whatever, pick something and do the math.

Edit: here's the link again from your other thread Start up operating cost

[repete]

You're not being hard and I welcome and appreciate the input. I'm going to go back and research the Eagle factoring comp a lil more tho. I keep getting negative info (from you guys) about factoring. No, i don't have a sleeper, I have a box truck. Being new at this, I'm still trying to 'find my way' so to speak. I started w/ the courier comp - the 1 that convinced me to get the box (to suit their needs). I'm @ fault...I should hve researched the market and gotten better insight. How does the load boards work out? Part of what attracted me to the courier comp was the weekly pay. Shouldn't I be going to businesses to solicit work? Then, I'll have to worry about when(or if) I'll get paid - huh? Is there a certain way to check the businesses record (good or bad paymasters) from a trucker standpoint. I really have get in gear. I just don't know the best approach...as I have been faithful to that 1 comp for my 3 mnths of driving

I'm a company driver so I'm not up on checking credit rating's and stuff like that. But I do know about selling yourself (you gotta be a hoe!!) Every place you go you need to be talking your self up to management, leave cards, phone stickers with your #, pick up a dozen doughnuts & put a flyer/sticker on the box saying "complement's of blah blah with contact info! Just make sure the people in the office get em not just dock guys! ALWAYS ASK FOR LOADS. Your going to be turned down A LOT but just keep asking. Any small machine shops around? The might be good for 1 ld a week get a couple of them and it starts looking better.(see where I'm going?) YOU NEED TO MAKE SELLING YOUR SERVICE YOUR BIGGEST PRORITY

LBF has a list in post 13 read it, do it, learn it! Your already behind the 8 ball and need to catch up quick

[xcarsalesman]

What ever you do don't panic.... Think it out before you make the next move. Most will tell you factoring is bad, but if you need cash flow i would consider it. Some factoring companies you don't have to factor all bills. Also, i would check on leasing on with someone. I got my authority in 8/10, i took baby steps. I was a company driver first, then i bought my own truck. I did the power only , with that company. I left that company and bought my own trl. I tell you its a lot different , being completely on your own. Even though i don't comment alot on here. I check this site just about everyday. I will advice you to go back and read all the threads on here. Believe it or not i have read every thread on the 0/0 side. lol

[repete]

What ever you do don't panic.... Think it out before you make the next move. Most will tell you factoring is bad, but if you need cash flow i would consider it. Some factoring companies you don't have to factor all bills. Also, i would check on leasing on with someone. I got my authority in 8/10, i took baby steps. I was a company driver first, then i bought my own truck. I did the power only , with that company. I left that company and bought my own trl. I tell you its a lot different , being completely on your own. Even though i don't comment alot on here. I check this site just about everyday. I will advice you to go back and read all the threads on here. Believe it or not i have read every thread on the 0/0 side. lol

If he really needs the cash NOW, yeah, but it's gonna be tough breaking loose from that habit unless things get REAL good.
As far as reading all the posts !That's a lot of reading , better pull up a comfy chair and put on a pot of coffee.

One other thought I had. You don't have a sleeper so do you dead head home every day? If your out 250 mi from home and D/H back thats $100-125 for fuel out of your pocket! Some will say "don't haul cheap freight" but in this case ANY thing's better than nothing.
Also I would pack an air mattress and sleeping bag and sleep in the back when necessary to get a back haul in the AM.(lock the latch handle with padlock so you can't be locked in and use vise grips on the inside so door can't be opened from out side) Log that as off duty line 1, NOT line 2!

[Big Guy]

thanx repete
u won't believe how much i appreciate you all's input...hoing it is

[Big Guy]

1 thing's for sure...I'm not too busy - right? Thanx

[Big Guy]

Hey, lemme run this by u...maybe I'm expecting too much(maybe not). Of course I don't know what the hell I'm doing BUT I'm making every effort to learn - and I am, thanks to u guys...I'll get back to u on that question...lemme do some figuring 1st