K...what am I missing?
#31
05-13-2007, 12:08 PM
Coastie, don't take any of this personally. For the most part, there is useful information that can be gleaned from all of these responses. It's your job to separate the wheat from the chaff and benefit from it. Some of our responses may sound like we're getting on your case. For the most part, that's not the case at all. However, some of us that have gone through everything you all are preparing to, get a little tired of newbies who have been at the game for 3 months and try and tell us that everything we say is BS.
Take our friend Prodigy here who insists on insulting anybody that disagrees with his analysis of his numbers. Nobody questioned whether his numbers were correct, just what they actually mean. And after 3 months he's convinced that he knows what they all mean. I would only offer the following; before claiming that those who have gone before are wrong, get through a year. Along the way do a personal Balance Sheet. Look at that Balance Sheet and then tell us how you think you did. Then do a Balance Sheet as if you'd been a company driver during that time. Compare the two and then tell us how you think you did. How many of you have done a pro forma Balance Sheet? How many of you know what that is? It's an important tool. GMAN, I don't think DD60's numbers are that far off when comparing a typical lease to a megacarrier to one's own authority. My insurance ran $6-7000 more. Plates and permits were approximately $3400. Loadboards and credit service $1200. Cell and internet are $1800. Postage and fax are $500. My trailer runs me about $.12/mile. Granted that's a reefer and some of those costs will vary a little depending on location, but not much.
#32
05-13-2007, 12:24 PM
Thanks Bandit! :lol:
Not that he deserves an any answer, with that kind of attitude! :P And Coastie! I know what you are talking about, cause that's what i do for a living, that's my "dry box, leased O/O niche" :lol: I've been doing it for the last 10 years. If you in it for the money, you shouldn't look for an easy, but for the better. And the less restrictions(if the money is right) you have, than better you do! 8) Prodigy! Do you mind to check a spelling? :P :lol:
__________________
Pessimist,- is just well informed optimist!
#33
05-13-2007, 01:13 PM
Originally Posted by SteveBooth
Not sure how your arriving at your figures
$1.60/loaded mile: my best recollection from your posts. 10% deadhead: again, recollection from your posts. Seems like you DH about 150 miles after a 1500 mile jaunt. $1.10/mile costs: From my personal experience. 100,000 miles per year: Personal experience/conservative estimate. Are my numbers incorrect? If so, please correct me.
I'm grossing over $3,500 per week and taking home at least $1,200 every week and that's my worst weeks. I've done many $5,000 weeks.
You can split hairs all you want and talk about college funds and other crap I don't care about but since I started I seem to be doing just fine.
#34
05-13-2007, 03:13 PM
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by no_worries
However, some of us that have gone through everything you all are preparing to, get a little tired of newbies who have been at the game for 3 months and try and tell us that everything we say is BS.
I've been o/o for 3 months but I'm no newbie.
Originally Posted by no_worries
Take our friend Prodigy here who insists on insulting anybody that disagrees with his analysis of his numbers. Nobody questioned whether his numbers were correct, just what they actually mean. And after 3 months he's convinced that he knows what they all mean. I would only offer the following; before claiming that those who have gone before are wrong, get through a year. Along the way do a personal Balance Sheet. Look at that Balance Sheet and then tell us how you think you did. Then do a Balance Sheet as if you'd been a company driver during that time. Compare the two and then tell us how you think you did. How many of you have done a pro forma Balance Sheet? How many of you know what that is? It's an important tool.
You see coastie. When deciding whether or not to be an o/o you can't just ask other people who've done it. It's not the same as shopping around for what companies you want to be a company driver for. If you and I both started at the same company at the same time, both bought the same trucks, had the same amount of cash in the bank. One of us might fail miserably and the other do great. It's all about decisions. Should you take this light load over to UT where there's not alot of freight coming out or should you take this heavy load over to Atlanta where freight is plentiful. You've probably heard this before and I'll post it again, when you become an o/o you're no longer a truck driver, you're a businessman. Alot of your success will depend on your attitude, not just what truck you buy or how much you have in the bank. These guys who harp on "don't lease on to a megacarrier" aren't going to tell you that they don't get near the fuel discounts I do, or the insurance discounts, super low, paid deadhead miles and I don't have to hunt for a load and the company takes care of plates and permits and fuel taxes. But you guys just keep on talkin' and I'll be here to call you on your BS, I aint going nowhere (as far as this board goes) Now I got to get on down the road.
#35
05-13-2007, 03:45 PM
Actually, I don't think that anyone that's responded to this thread has failed at what they do. I'm by no means out of business, I know Solo, and rank do rather well at what they do. Maybe you're privy to information that I'm not. In fact, I know Solo and I both run nicer equipment than you do. Mine's paid for, and if I remember correctly, I think Solo's is as well. Rank runs multiple trucks.
You're going to sit there and brag about the good businessman that you are and yet you rely on somebody telling you whether you're making a profit or not? One mark of a good businessman is understanding his business. One of the basic parts of any business is profitability. I don't believe I ever told anybody not to lease to a large carrier. I did it. I actually think that's a good place to start. You come in with the attitude that you'll call everybody on the BS they're slinging and yet you don't say anything other than "It's BS." You certainly don't have to provide any supporting information, that's your prerogative. But you can hardly expect any credibility. And if you don't care about that, what's the point? Many of us have provided numbers to support the claims we make. I'm sure coastie would benefit greatly from meaningful data in support of your claims.
#36
05-13-2007, 04:50 PM
I'm in with the underdog. Prodigy has been defensive and abrasive but you guys have been talking shit to him and he's just trying to do something for himself. We get a lot of bragging on this forum about profits. Are you making a lot? That's great. Be happy. Be thankful. Maybe even share a little helpful info. But don't drag down the guy who is just starting out or may not be as talented as you (I'm not necessarily speaking of you, Prodigy). Look at this:
DD60 wrote:
Sure,you might make money in the beginning until the operating costs catch up with you. Been there,done that.NO THANKS. how many thousand Dart O/Os are making it on $1.20 all in and have been doing so for years? Now, who's going to call BS and say that, 'yes, guys are making it over the long haul at 90cpm plus fsc loaded and empty, company trailer, insurance, plates and permits, and fuel discounts, quick, guaranteed pay, loads provided, company provided drug testing, logbook management, advances on things like tires....' Not making as much as you? So what? But to say that they are going to fold eventually because they don't make what you make is contrary to the experiences of thousands of long term O/Os. I'm not trying to make enemies here, but anyone could have called BS on this, it didn't have to be me. The whole maintenance escrow thing was a little silly. It's money he's been able to tuck away whatever you want to call it. If he needs an overhaul he's going to need a whole lot more. If not, well, whatever...he'll have to come up with whatever he needs from whereever he can get it. If he can't then he's another one who goes down. If he can, he may be on his way. Prodigy: Guess you don't know how to manage money then... also have you heard of a maintenance escrow? I just started 3 months ago and have $1900 saved. I take 1 week off minimum every month. Re- think that, Prodigy, unless you really do have access to serious cash reserves :wink: I'm doing fine with my megacarrier. Despite many people on here telling me that I'd be just another number. solo379 was talking sht when I started a thread saying I was going o/o You can have your own authority and make 25-35 cpm more then me, but you have to find a good honest broker(s). You don't mention also time spent finding loads if your broker don't have one... Have fun sitting at the DAT board LOL. Meanwhile I'm rolling on down the road. The unpaid deadhead miles take their toll GMAN, you know this. I'm at least paid for those. DD60: The issue isn't managing money. The issue is 1.20cpm is NOT enough to operate on in the long run. When leasing with a megacarrier you are merely a glorified company driver. I understand the statement but now you're into name calling. Company driver: one week off after a year. O/O who has his truck paid off and has his ducks lined up: one week off when he feels like it. There are significant differences Some find out the hard way. Maintenance escrow? Most carriers only require what,1k? On a used truck you will end up spending FAR more than that and it is merely just a low-reserve savings account on a new one. There is no point in rolling down the road if you are not making a profit. 1900.00 saved in 3 months,lol? That is only 7600.00 a year and won't even cover an overhaul. You are just subsidizing the company.Like I said before everyone does fine in the beginning until operating costs start catching up,which is one reason why you see a full repo lot. _________________
#38
05-13-2007, 04:58 PM
Originally Posted by DD60
Originally Posted by solo379
Originally Posted by DD60
There is no point in rolling down the road if you are not making a profit.
 I just want to add, that it applies to any O/O, weather leased, or with own authority. All i wanted to say, is that authority is not necessarily makes you success, and profitable, and in a lot of cases, they are making the same, if not less, than those "will work for food" $0.90+FSC O/O.At the same time, leasing to a good company, could work quiet well! :wink:
#39
05-13-2007, 05:13 PM
Originally Posted by Prodigy
Originally Posted by no_worries
However, some of us that have gone through everything you all are preparing to, get a little tired of newbies who have been at the game for 3 months and try and tell us that everything we say is BS.
I've been o/o for 3 months but I'm no newbie.
Originally Posted by no_worries
Take our friend Prodigy here who insists on insulting anybody that disagrees with his analysis of his numbers. Nobody questioned whether his numbers were correct, just what they actually mean. And after 3 months he's convinced that he knows what they all mean. I would only offer the following; before claiming that those who have gone before are wrong, get through a year. Along the way do a personal Balance Sheet. Look at that Balance Sheet and then tell us how you think you did. Then do a Balance Sheet as if you'd been a company driver during that time. Compare the two and then tell us how you think you did. How many of you have done a pro forma Balance Sheet? How many of you know what that is? It's an important tool.
You see coastie. When deciding whether or not to be an o/o you can't just ask other people who've done it. It's not the same as shopping around for what companies you want to be a company driver for. If you and I both started at the same company at the same time, both bought the same trucks, had the same amount of cash in the bank. One of us might fail miserably and the other do great. It's all about decisions. Should you take this light load over to UT where there's not alot of freight coming out or should you take this heavy load over to Atlanta where freight is plentiful. You've probably heard this before and I'll post it again, when you become an o/o you're no longer a truck driver, you're a businessman. Alot of your success will depend on your attitude, not just what truck you buy or how much you have in the bank. These guys who harp on "don't lease on to a megacarrier" aren't going to tell you that they don't get near the fuel discounts I do, or the insurance discounts, super low, paid deadhead miles and I don't have to hunt for a load and the company takes care of plates and permits and fuel taxes. But you guys just keep on talkin' and I'll be here to call you on your BS, I aint going nowhere (as far as this board goes) Now I got to get on down the road. This is the funniest post I have ever read!!!!!
#40
05-13-2007, 05:39 PM
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by rank
Don't understand this either. Didn't mean to offend you. I only used you as an example because I thought the OP could relate.
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