Comments By Robert R.

I'd actually make $3500 not 2500

For example, I picked up in Washington and I'm going to New York. Approximately 3000 miles....only 7000 lbs in the box. The load pays $5900. I'm getting an average of 9 mpg. So I will use 334 gallons of fuel. Let's say fuel is 3.75 / gallon. I'll spend $1250 in fuel. My fixed costs on my truck is $1100. Some simple math and we can see my total expenses would be $2350. With just this load by itself I'll make $2500. A company driver would only make half that....i don't understand the 3% profit margin.

And just to add, I don't do anymore paperwork than a company driver. That goes back to hiring Abacus. Some people are just set in their ways, but once again until you have done a lease with Prime specifically then I doubt this thread is entitled to anyone's opinion then those who have.

If I was only making an extra $30 / week after all my expenses I wouldn't and I'm sure other drivers wouldn't be doing leasing as well. The business has changed since 15 years ago.

Thanks RedGator I didn't think anyone would see my side...Daniel does have an extreme fan club and I was worried they would throw me under the bus. But yes it would be in Terrys best interest to talk to other lease operators to see how well its working out for them as well.

Maybe so, but your basing your opinion on leasing through hear say. You haven't done it. Your assuming leasing is a bad thing. And once again your further validating my previous post.

Terry your comments are spot on. Guyjax approach was professional. Some other moderators need to handle differences in opinion the same way. Some people act like being a moderator is a job title. They also say they have retired from training only after one student. Some people aren't smart and hard working enough to handle and run their own business. We call those guys company drivers. That's why they get the short trucks haha. The proof of the pudding is in the eating and I honestly feel the argument I have made is a valid one backed up with facts not opinions.

This thread is about Prime Leasing and yet none of yall are talking about the topic of this thread. Yall must be new to forums. Usually the people that comment are the ones who have some information about said topic. Guyjax you said yourself that you had 2 trucks and bought a house and cars and all this jazz so your comments completely contradict themselves. Jolie, I already talked about having to pay taxes on that money so maybe you should fully read the thread before you comment next time. And yet after all these comments no one has yet to give a good reason of why leasing from Prime is bad besides having a truck payment when you take time off or being broke down. But anyone with anything between their ears knows that, it isn't a surprise to anyone. If there wasn't any risk there wouldn't be any reward.

Terry, just a few settlements, you can see....you definitely can make money leasing......

First of all let me answer your question Terry, sorry i have been running hard here lately and havent had time to check my email. I appologize. Ill send you a PM with my cell number which is the best way to contact me. But yes, i do use Abacus for my tax purposes because of two reasons. One, they work with Prime and i dont have to save all my receipts for fuel or other purchases on my card (oil, antifreeze, wipers, oil changes). The only receipts i do have to save are lumper receipts because on their end it looks as if i just took a cash advance. If you didnt have Abacus you would have more responsibility to save those purchases and receipts for tax write off purposes. Two, I am new to this industry, only been driving for about a year and want to focus all my attention on being as profitable as I can with the least amount of stress as possible. I have heard some people say that they arent a good place to do taxes with because they charge so much but they try to make it so at the end of year you dont have to pay as much in. For example, my first quarter they sent me an estimate of $4000 (im single, not married with no kids barely any exemptions). I immediately called them worried because i only had my truck two months, and their explanation was that they wanted me to have enough money paid in to where i didnt have to pay any at the end of the year. It might seem fishy to some but you have to understand that not many drivers take the initiative to put money aside for tax purposes throughout the entire year and then wonder why they have to pay so much in. They seem to understand the industry and i just felt more comfortable having someone there in Springfield that i could communicate and work with while im at the yard. I also went ahead and got an LLC with them, they made it extremely easy and only charged me $300 dollars to do which i can make in payments each week out of my settlement. Another thing about leasing is its always good to seperate yourself from your business just in case you do encounter any trouble on the road like an at fault accident. It will protect your personal assets. If you have learned anything about being a truck driver, you will understand that you will be at the terminal more than youll be home. (If you plan on making money) But once again, its just a personal preference, just like leasing, you can ask 10 drivers and 5 will say good and 5 will say bad. My personal experience with them has been good. But like i said, ill send you a PM with my cell number and if you have any questions at all, dont hesitate to ask, I personally want to see everyone at Prime be successful. Dont let anyone at Prime or any outsiders tell you that you cant be successful being a lease operator, if you have any kind of a business mentality and want money, you will learn extremely quick how to be profitable. Most of people who frown on leasing havent even done it. Plain and simple. Take care.

Now to Daniel B, my business model is to make money, and that i do. Your excuse of being charged over a grand for a tire is complete non-sense. If you knew anything about Prime's Leasing program you would know that they take money out of your settlement each week for a tire fund. So even if i was to blow a tire right now it would cost me half as much as what you think if anything at all. The idea of paying over a grand for a truck payment does worry allot of drivers, especially drivers who are more focused on being at home then they are out on the road. It takes money to make money and i never see the money that does go to that payment. Within one load my truck is paid for, by load 2 im paying for all my fuel, 3rd load is straight profit. I dont know you personally, but i do know that you spend allot of time on this forum helping fellow drivers which is good, im happy for you, but you also spend allot of time taking luxurious bike rides while im out here turning wheels and making money. So for a fellow driver to come on this forum and ask a question about something in that which you have not done, i dont understand how someone could be so negative? You must be listening at the truck stop to all the stories people tell you. If thats the case you might want to check out the three little pigs or little red riding hood they are pretty decent stories too. You dont know me, so for you to say im not trustworthy, dont know what im talking about is an insult. If you want we can start posting our settlements weekly to see who is more profitable. You know we can update it about as often as your bike ride thread, you always have the best threads so we can add another to the list. Its funny that you would tell him to look towards other forums for answers when your a moderator, you should be able to provide him with all the answers and information he needs. Unless you havent done it before....maybe thats the reason, EH?