Then a couple of posts down I see the same person telling a complete stranger how to get their authority and "come on in the water's fine"
type of post.
question:
what's keeps rates down
an occaisional backhaul from Boston
or telling every Tom Dick and Harry how to get their own authority
and how much better off they would be
which just adds to the oversupply of trucks

just wondering

 

Telling someone how to get their authority won't keep rates down. Hauling cheap freight will do that.

 

I doubt that has much to do with rates. I need a couple of new trucks from the repo man anyway so bring 'em on.

 

What's wrong with helping Tom, Dick and Harry get their authority? Its better than Tom Dick and Harry paying some Philadelphia lawyer or Rex Excels.. a couple grand to file the paperwork that cost $300 to file. Also as Gman said that doesnt keep the rates down, but not knowing what you are worth keeps the rates down because you haul for cheap due to sheer ignorance. I dont think it causes an oversupply of trucks because if he's not driving his own truck, he will be driving a company truck and believe it or not,if you are hauling van, flat or reefer, we are ALL competing for the same loads with the same shippers and sometimes brokers, thats the American way.

 

And what's in your opinion, those "Dick, Tom and Garry", with very limited experience are really worth? :P
BTW Most BIG companies, have a pretty decent rates set up with the customers!

 

All that needs to happen is a little bit of education.

Most drivers don't know their true costs.

Truck drivers, not businessmen.

 

I agree with the OP because I have talked to too many people who have had their authority for a short time, that have never worked for more than a buck a mile and are NOT business men/women AT ALL!; who sell their services for next to nothing b/c they have no idea what the market will bare or what their CPM is.

The people are also seldom interested in finding out what a decent rate is, don't care that they drive rates down and don't care what their real CPM is.

They really think that they are just so much smarter than those of us that have been out here for years. They really think that their $10k truck and $5k trailer will last forever and anyone that buys decent equipment and charges enough to repair and replace is just plain stupid.

They can have all the freight. I will NOT meet their rates. I expect (and make) enough to maintain my equipment, pay myself well and provide all benefits (including retirement) and make a profit; anything less is a hobby, not a business.

All of them aren't that way, but so many are. :roll:

 

hey i just hauled a load 500 miles for 400 bucks!!!!!

 

im just kidding!!!!

 

I think LoadIT is right. Like I've been saying you can go work for a company all you want but how are you supposed to know the rates. I don't mean just know your expenses either. You can still be covering your expenses and not earning what you should be earning. Very few on here post their numbers. Rank does but it's for flatbed and it's in that funny Canandian money . Mike3 has been doing a great job posting the numbers but it's for tankers.

So how do we know are worth? I think also if I may humbly suggest that since in this age of brokers that we are one stepped removed from the shipper which makes it even more difficult. I wonder how things worked in th 70's if drivers had to rely so much on brokers?