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Rikki Chequer looks at the small print on a 'good deal', and spots someone asking for directions
Page 9
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Is this a sign of our times? An owner-driver who wants to get out of the business is offering his truck, and the work that goes with it, to anyone who passes the leasing company's credit checks. Posting on the forums, he says he is giving it up to spend more time with his family. Incidentally, the truck, as it stands, is effectively free. Anyone who wants it can simply take over the remaining lease.
It is an unusual way to exit the business. But there is one catch. At the end of the lease (in three-and-a-half years), the truck must be sold and 20% of the sale price given back to the lease company. Other operators say: "Ouch!"
One commented that at the end of his lease purchase, the payment to the lease company is a lot less, at only 2.5%. So maybe this "free" truck and work might not be such a good a deal as at first glance.
In other matters; an owner-driver speaks about load rates out of Scotland and back to England. He was offered from the Glasgow area to Wakefield: £210: to Mansfield: £230 and to Lutterworth: £260. He adds, after "not too much thought", that he declined them all. Asked why he had decided not to take the loads, he pointed out the low rates and was told "other companies do it". At this point, he says, he had to check to make sure somebody had not registered him as a charity. Who are these "other companies" that run at these rates, he asks?
It's not all about trucks and drivers on the forums. Sometimes other motorists come for an argument. Or just occasionally for some advice. A motorhome driver came to ask: "I would like to know if there is a sensible (safe) overland route to Greece in February. Is it possible to reach there via Albania? What about the coast route? Or is this too risky? Please do not suggest Italy and the ferry because I am the world's worst sailor. The Channel Tunnel was made for me." And the upshot of this is our self-confessed "world's worst sailor" gets all the advice he needs...