Ok, since we opened a can of worms here.. lets go..
I have owned a lot of businesses with eight figure revenue including distribution with my own trucks. I started with one truck working 16 hour days getting my product out anywhere I could in NJ. I ran into hard times a couple years ago and sold it thinking I would get a full time position but it has been hard. I would rather work for myself and make $50,000 this year then $150-$300K for someone else at a desk. I am just not built for it.
I have worked tons of spreadsheets and conducted hours of interviews with independents by buying them lunch at truck stops. I also have a friend who owns 20 trucks. Company drivers have been very open (I literally got their hourly times lines for a few days).
I completely understand not helping the competition if that is your philosophy.
I have all my operating costs figured out and what I need to bring in to break even. It might not be perfect but I am confident that I am in the ball park. They are between $9,500 and $13,000 without Fuel depending on the truck I purchase. It does not matter if I buy the truck cash or finance it. It is just factoring depreciation for the life of the tractor.
What I cannot get an understanding fully is the pricing on the boards. Sure, they are numbers but there is no way to verify how it plays out in the real world. I know I don’t want to be on the boards but I feel even with great networking skills I will be stuck there a while because I am too busy driving at first. Could they pay that much but it so undesirable for some unforeseen reason? Everyone seems to be tight lipped about that. I have put together routes that look profitable factoring dead heading and being stuck hours waiting for the load. But how can those exist while there are some routes that are posted with rates and “estimated rates” that would clearly result in massive loss. You would be better of parking the truck and flying home.
I am starting with a company at first, but I don’t even want to bother if the margins really are not there for an owner operator.
If anyone wants any company (independent only) I am up for riding with you anytime. I am based in NJ but can get anywhere if airfare is reasonable.
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