the trouble is, when Rob K turns up again to give us the benefit of his knowledge the usual suspects turn up to have a go at him 
<waves to BigVern and Easter-Star ( or Suffolk Reeferboy as you’re known to us ) >
Armagedon:
Just read the article and what Laurie Dealer failed to add was…‘And come and buy a rig from one of my cronies’…doing
his bit for CM advertisers.LOL!
Yes, I would agree with this, it does rather smack of an estate agent saying “there’s never been a better time to buy a house”, a bit of a vested interest.
I certainly wouldn’t recommend running a truck as a general course of action, but neither would I say it is something which cannot be justified using logic or economics. I could probably earn more driving a Tesco lorry on the night shift, but I don’t want to drive a Tesco lorry on the night shift. And, believe or not, some people are more motivated by their quality of life than they are by grasping every last available Shekel.
All I can do is to offer impartial and objective advice to anyone asking about obtaining a CPC, an Operator’s Licence or running a truck or anything else I have experience of, but I would always encourage anybody to follow their dream as a default position rather than being dissuaded by nay-sayers, as I have said so many times before I may lose money operating a truck but that money will be forgotten in a heartbeat, whereas if I hadn’t done it I would have thought “What if?” forever.
Well I tried the OD bit and did OK but,
I’d much rather drive a Tesco lorry(28 brand new ones infact 
) on the nightshift,
living life in a layby(unless having a wee zzzzz) ain’t the life for me 
Owning any piece of painted metal and trying to earn a living from it can be challenging be it a wood chipper and landrover or a 6x2 and walking floor trailer, anyone who puts their head above the parapet gets my respect.
puntabrava:
Owning any piece of painted metal and trying to earn a living from it can be challenging be it a wood chipper and landrover or a 6x2 and walking floor trailer, anyone who puts their head above the parapet gets my respect.
How true. Respect from only a few thou.
Harry Monk:
Armagedon:
Just read the article and what Laurie Dealer failed to add was…‘And come and buy a rig from one of my cronies’…doing
his bit for CM advertisers.LOL!Yes, I would agree with this, it does rather smack of an estate agent saying “there’s never been a better time to buy a house”, a bit of a vested interest.
I certainly wouldn’t recommend running a truck as a general course of action, but neither would I say it is something which cannot be justified using logic or economics. I could probably earn more driving a Tesco lorry on the night shift, but I don’t want to drive a Tesco lorry on the night shift. And, believe or not, some people are more motivated by their quality of life than they are by grasping every last available Shekel.
All I can do is to offer impartial and objective advice to anyone asking about obtaining a CPC, an Operator’s Licence or running a truck or anything else I have experience of, but I would always encourage anybody to follow their dream as a default position rather than being dissuaded by nay-sayers, as I have said so many times before I may lose money operating a truck but that money will be forgotten in a heartbeat, whereas if I hadn’t done it I would have thought “What if?” forever.
Now then, we’ve heard that being an O/D is not a road to fame and fortune, you openly admit that you’re doing it because you want to, no real desire to get rich etc etc. The thing is, O/Ds are the future hauliers/employers when they expand, how can they expand if they’re running around for (to paraphrase) a Mars Bar or two 
Harry, you’re living in a free country, so you have the right to do as you please, but don’t you think that maybe, just maybe, people who go down the O/D route for reasons like yours, or just so they can have their name on the door are responsible for the poor rates and such that O/Ds have to contend with
The thing with this industry is that it is unlike any other, as mad as it seems, we actually enjoy it and it becomes a way of life, so much so that we’re poncing around on the internet talking about it and looking at pretty pictures, in no other industry would anyone do what Harry (and many others) have done and basically just buy themself a job, a job that doesn’t pay much either, regardless of how much you can play the tax system 
newmercman:
Now then, we’ve heard that being an O/D is not a road to fame and fortune, you openly admit that you’re doing it because you want to, no real desire to get rich etc etc. The thing is, O/Ds are the future hauliers/employers when they expand, how can they expand if they’re running around for (to paraphrase) a Mars Bar or twoHarry, you’re living in a free country, so you have the right to do as you please, but don’t you think that maybe, just maybe, people who go down the O/D route for reasons like yours, or just so they can have their name on the door are responsible for the poor rates and such that O/Ds have to contend with
The thing with this industry is that it is unlike any other, as mad as it seems, we actually enjoy it and it becomes a way of life, so much so that we’re poncing around on the internet talking about it and looking at pretty pictures, in no other industry would anyone do what Harry (and many others) have done and basically just buy themself a job, a job that doesn’t pay much either, regardless of how much you can play the tax system
Ironically it’s often ‘expansion’ that causes the issues of overcapacity in the industry and wagons running around for low margins because fleets are working on the idea of high turnover to provide sufficient revenues to cover their higher overall overheads.While there’s a big difference between the idea of haulage fleet owner and driver.It’s the ‘driver’ bit which seperates the two totally different set ups.Owner drivers are effectively buying themselves a job but the difference is that it’s probably better to work as an owner driver than being an employed driver working for the fleet owner.
There’s no reason why the two types of operation should be viewed as having any connection with each other whatsoever.In that a fleet owner can start out in business from day one as a haulage fleet operator without ever driving a truck at all.Whereas an owner driver can start out as such from day 1 and remain as one with no intention whatsoever to expand into being a small fleet owner using employed drivers.I think you’re missing the point it’s got nothing to do with having a name on the door.It’s all about the job of being a self employed driver who just owns and operates the truck as opposed to a haulage company owner.
I think Harry has already stated elsewhere that his future intentions maybe be expansion and running a small fleet using employed drivers . 
Whereas it ‘would be’ the type of operation which I would have been happy to limit an operation to which would have fitted your description of buying into the job.In my experience,of being employed through my career,and having missed out on being able to buy into the owner driver route,I’d say that if the capital had been there then the choice and opportunities,(at the time),which it would have provided,would have been worth every penny.Therefore it’s not a case of buying a job it’s more a case of buying more opportunities,as a self employed owner driver (with no intention of expanding further),than would have been/were available working as an employed driver.That’s the relevant comparison not the one of haulage fleet owner v owner driver.
However all that changed with the recent government policies concerning taxing trucks off the road to put freight onto rail and creating a trading regime which is obviously more favourable to east european small or large fleets than UK owner drivers or fleet operators in the case of hauling those uk imports and exports that go by road.In which case it doesn’t really make a lot of difference.Because it’s the British road transport industry as a whole that has been put a disadvantage,regardless of wether it’s the largest fleet or an owner driver with no intention of expanding any further than that.
Carryfast, bless ya, you’re a prime example of someone who should never be an O/D 
The object of running a business is to make money Unless you’re independantly wealthy and you have some widget that you must make as it’s your life’s passion. You’ve stated many times that you would try to undercut Orys’s comrades out of business, that’s not a passion or some kind of twisted philantropy, that’s just madness ffs
newmercman:
Carryfast, bless ya, you’re a prime example of someone who should never be an O/DThe object of running a business is to make money
I’ve ‘actually’ stated that the only choices that are now left for the British road transport industry (at least the international sector) are either government protection,concerning the haulage of freight that’s leaving or entering the country (especially that involving journeys to/from western europe being carried by east european operators),or try to undercut the competition or leave the money in the bank.I’ve also said that without that sector being available to uk operators then the knock on effects will obviously also create overcapacity in the local/domestic sector.
The issue of rate cutting is just a symptom of over capacity in the industry mostly caused by Orys’ comrades and big business rail freight interests in a low demand trading environment.While government economic and transport policy is all about adding to that situation.
Ironically I’ve ‘actually’ stated it’s because of those reasons that my choice would be leave the money in the bank which is one of the reasons why I’m not joining Harry. 
Although having said that,in a better more uk road transport industry friendly environment and stronger economy,as I’ve said,there’s a big difference between the aims of working as an owner driver,in which case it’s all about earning enough to pay a good wage and the opportunities concerning the choice of work available,compared to working as an employed driver.Let alone running a haulage company or in fact any type of company in which the aim is to get very rich.In which case the fact is there’s likely to be more sucessful owner drivers than successful entrepreneurs.
newmercman:
The thing with this industry is that it is unlike any other, as mad as it seems, we actually enjoy it and it becomes a way of life, so much so that we’re poncing around on the internet talking about it and looking at pretty pictures, in no other industry would anyone do what Harry (and many others) have done and basically just buy themself a job, a job that doesn’t pay much either, regardless of how much you can play the tax system
Farm contractors make haulage boys look like beginners in the undercutting stakes and earning nothing from in some instances a £3 million machine fleet
newmercman:
Harry, you’re living in a free country, so you have the right to do as you please, but don’t you think that maybe, just maybe, people who go down the O/D route for reasons like yours, or just so they can have their name on the door are responsible for the poor rates and such that O/Ds have to contend with
Firstly, as I keep pointing out, I am not an owner driver, I am an employee of a limited company.
Secondly, if some owner drivers work for poor rates then that really isn’t my concern.
Thirdly, it would be cheaper to buy a UK tractor unit for cash and then sell it for cash two years later than it would be to emigrate to Canada and then move back two years later, same as everybody else does, same as you will.
puntabrava:
newmercman:
The thing with this industry is that it is unlike any other, as mad as it seems, we actually enjoy it and it becomes a way of life, so much so that we’re poncing around on the internet talking about it and looking at pretty pictures, in no other industry would anyone do what Harry (and many others) have done and basically just buy themself a job, a job that doesn’t pay much either, regardless of how much you can play the tax systemFarm contractors make haulage boys look like beginners in the undercutting stakes and earning nothing from in some instances a £3 million machine fleet
Now your suckin diesel Cecil!!!
posts removed ( probably more tomorrow when I have more time)
People have been asked to take their vendetta’s to e-mail /pm as they cant manage that we will help by checking their posts for them to ensure such petty behaviour is kept off this forum.
Harry Monk:
newmercman:
Harry, you’re living in a free country, so you have the right to do as you please, but don’t you think that maybe, just maybe, people who go down the O/D route for reasons like yours, or just so they can have their name on the door are responsible for the poor rates and such that O/Ds have to contend withFirstly, as I keep pointing out, I am not an owner driver, I am an employee of a limited company.
Secondly, if some owner drivers work for poor rates then that really isn’t my concern.
Thirdly, it would be cheaper to buy a UK tractor unit for cash and then sell it for cash two years later than it would be to emigrate to Canada and then move back two years later, same as everybody else does, same as you will.
I don’t know who this is aimed at Harry “everyone” seems fairly general but just so You know in case it was pointed My way after a 25 year career as an OD & now in Canada I can assure You I know exactly what I won’t be doing with My savings from being an OD if I ever returned to The UK…hth…I missed out successfull too…
Harry Monk:
newmercman:
Harry, you’re living in a free country, so you have the right to do as you please, but don’t you think that maybe, just maybe, people who go down the O/D route for reasons like yours, or just so they can have their name on the door are responsible for the poor rates and such that O/Ds have to contend withFirstly, as I keep pointing out, I am not an owner driver, I am an employee of a limited company.
Secondly, if some owner drivers work for poor rates then that really isn’t my concern.
Thirdly, it would be cheaper to buy a UK tractor unit for cash and then sell it for cash two years later than it would be to emigrate to Canada and then move back two years later, same as everybody else does, same as you will.
I’ve been here for 5yrs already, so that blows your theory out of the water somewhat, but nice try, it was kind of funny, I know you can do better if you try 
So you’ve got a limited company, well whoopie [zb]ing dooo, I’ve had a couple of those myself, had the grand title of Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer and yet I still drove the lorry and made the tea
It should be your concern if people are running around for low rates, you own a limited company that is involved in road haulage, the ones that are barely scraping a living are dragging everyone else down, they set the lowest rate, which also sets the highest rate and the two are not that far apart Because I have the cheek to question your business model does not mean that I am ganging up on you, or picking on you, it is a legitimate question and it applies to all O/Ds, you have posted on here about your business and the reasons you have started it, unless I’m mistaken you are not a dictator, so I can (& do) disagree with why you have done things, don’t make either of us right or wrong though
Finally, don’t bother with PMs, you had your chance there before and you messed that one up by getting personal
Unless i find somewhere that sells a saussage roll soon I’m moving back to blighty. Bloddy colonials only want to eat beef burgers 
I was never a Limited Co, I just had big balls & had My name on the door, if You only have one I never saw the point unless You start out thinking You may fail.
Im sorry I jumped in I must be getting touchy to sly remarks on here.
Who out of You with one are trading as a limited company on here? Just out of interest.
I did run with the clients name on instead of my own over the years at there request & paid for by them, wether on a tilt sheet or cab it never bothered me either way.
Are Gregorys not wanting to have yours in the paint shop Harry? I would have thought being a big corporate affair they would be on to that like my clients where. Nothing worse than trucks & trailers not matching in this day & age imho…
Have some nerves been touched somewhere? Looks like I missed a good opportunity to wheel out my popcorn. 
I must admit I do find Harry’s “I’m not an owner driver, I’m a ltd co” comment just slightly hilarious. I thought he was actually being serious when I first read it but he’s obviously said it tongue in cheek…
Rob K:
Have some nerves been touched somewhere? Looks like I missed a good opportunity to wheel out my popcorn.I must admit I do find Harry’s “I’m not an owner driver, I’m a ltd co” comment just slightly hilarious.
Hes a tongue in cheek kinda guy is Harry. Put your popcorn on standby My rawness is soothed…
Harry loaded a gun and some have shot themselves in the foot with it, took me a while to work it out, but I have to say, I’m impressed, it was a nice strategic move
The sausage roll, layby, fan belt, remould, parking ticket, tax avoidance routine was a good one though, even if I do say so myself
Never had my name on the door of anything I’ve owned, had a couple in customer colours and had one stickered up with the name of a local haulier who had immunity from the ministry, came in handy when I had two 6 wheeler rigid loads to deliver & only a 5 axle artic in the yard to do them with 
Did the trading as and limited company thing, neither makes much difference when it comes to liabilties, but the limited company makes sense when you reach a certain turnover/profit, so I took the advice of my accountant and changed over, total PITA, new O licence and all the other shenanigans that it caused was more trouble than it was worth TBH