EZ Dispatch: web application for car haulers

I guess I've known Dave from EZ Dispatch for at least a couple years now, so when I got a call last weekend from him letting me know he was going to be in the area, I jumped at the chance to check out his new bar code scanner.

What the heck is EZ Dispatch, and why you should you care? Just possibly the best thing you've never heard of before that could make your job easier!

I drove out to meet Dave at his hotel in my son's 1992 Toyota Tercel, and he started his demonstration by scanning the VIN on the door frame with the Barracoda scanner. When we got back to his room to check out the results on his laptop (the scanner connects wirelessly via Bluetooth), he told me how much my kid's car weighs-- 1950 pounds!

Using this system, a driver can scan in a load and print bills of lading in minutes! Not only that, but the dispatcher can see what cars have been picked up or dropped off in real time, which means better customer service and faster billing (always a good thing).

But the time savings only starts with the driver-- back at the office, the system can download invoices straight into Quickbooks, so you don't have to re-type all that vehicle information in!

Currently, Dave has two different bar code scanners that work great with laptops, and his system will also work with cell phones that have data capabilities (web enabled phones, or "WEP" for short)

Having seen this system, I don't know why anyone with a car hauler business wouldn't subscribe to this service... unless they enjoy filling out paperwork. Dave hauled cars for years, so you can be sure he'll give you a straight answer and not a bunch of "Technical-ese" that you won't understand. To find out more, go to http://ezdispatch.com/

Madison County Record | Appellate Court issues mixed ruling in Cottrell claim

Madison County Record | Appellate Court issues mixed ruling in Cottrell claim

For those of you who missed the ruling on the Cottrell law suit.

Madison County Record | Stack to Wendler: Take it and leave it in Tennessee

Madison County Record | Stack to Wendler: Take it and leave it in Tennessee: "Stack to Wendler: Take it and leave it in Tennessee"

Basically, the last dying gasps of the lawsuit against Cottrell, Cassens, et. al.

Slide N Glide Graphite Video

Autos hauled out of Tacoma

According to an email I just received from Sharon Glassy, auto transport is up at the Port of Tacoma, WA:

Automobiles (units) 81,379 up 9.1 percent

That might go way up if the Chinese start exporting cars to the US market!

TEC moves, expands auto transport equipment business

In a few days, TEC equipment will be moving to a new location in Portland, OR. According to Dave Fleischman, they will be moving to NE Vancouver Way up near the Jubitz truck stop and Portland Freightliner. Additionally, TEC is gearing up to do more business within the car hauling niche in their Fontana, CA location.

Old Car Hauler Pics

New and Old on Autohauler Shopper

A bunch of old car hauler photos just posted!

The "S" Word!

Finally!

What's the real "S" word? Why, it's SALES of course!

This is for all of you who are sick and tired of being sick and tired.
If you're tired of getting the run-around from dishonest brokers... if you're tired of your costs going up while your load price goes down... if you're tired of working hard and still not succeeding... the answer might be marketing. That's right, good old-fashioned selling.

(GASP!) Yes, salesmanship. I know that salesman are perhaps the least respected among humanity's citizenry, but let's stop and think what sales is all about.

Sales is about getting business. I don't care whether you sell used cars or you transport them. Sales is about representing yourself to the market in such a way that you gain your unfair share of customers.

Let me repeat that last bit: Getting your UNFAIR share.

Here's the thing-- if you continue to do the same thing, is it reasonable to expect different results? The hard fact of life is that you can do everything you're "supposed to do"-- drive safely, give good customer service, maintain proper insurance, etc... and still not succeed.

You have to be a salesman... sort of. I'm not advocating you run out and buy a pair of white vinyl shoes and matching belt. You probably won't need a plaid suit or a Rolex wristwatch. You won't even have to get your hair "permed" or wear a gold chain.

If the idea of being a salesman makes you nervous, then think of it as just "telling a story"-- (and I haven't met a trucker yet who couldn't tell a story or two!)

You need to get comfortable telling the story of your business-- how you got to be a carhauler... who your first customer was... who your best customer is... why people like to use you. This will help you get in the mindset of finding more good customers... and then more... and then a few more. It's got to become a habit-- just like (maybe) NOT being a salesman is a habit.

I strongly urge you to go to this section of the Orange Fractal website and read each chapter in Marketing 101. (They're even in a handy PDF file format, so you can save them right to your computer or print them out on your printer!)

Each one of the sub-sections deals with the nuts and bolts of building your business through basic salesmanship. Go HERE.

And don't forget to pass this on to a friend, OK?

Chinese Car Manufacturer

Play video to see future.

Free shipping deal on auto tie down straps

Free Shipping Deal: "June 14, 2007
'Holy Wheel Strap, Batman! Are they really offering FREE SHIPPING on 40 PACKS of the best ratchet wheel strap ever?'
You betcha! Go here to learn more: FREE SHIPPING DEAL ON RATCHET STRAPS You can also order a great new toolbox with a 5 year warranty!"

Car hauler tie down strap video

Autohauler Shopper - Mid-Michigan Trucking company for sale My loss is your gain!

Autohauler Shopper - Mid-Michigan Trucking company for sale My loss is your gain!: "Mid-Michigan Trucking company for sale My loss is your gain! $250,000.00 MI
Thanks for taking a minute to look at this once in a lifetime business oppertunity! Health reasons force this sale, I am going back into the Hospital for a week June 11th"

CDL DRIVER - Windows Live Expo - Free Online Classifieds

From the looks of how many Help-Wanted ads, Cottrell is keeping pretty busy these days!

CDL DRIVER - Windows Live Expo - Free Online Classifieds: "CDL DRIVER
View map Get driving directions
Location: Gainesville , GA
ZIP/Postal Code: 30501
Listed: Monday, May 28, 2007 5:00 AM
Expires: Monday, June 25, 2007 12:00 AM
Category: Skilled Trade/Craft

Description:
CDL-A Driver needed. Home 3-4 nights per week. Apply in person at Cottrell, Inc. 2125 Candler Road, Gainesville, GA.

Source - Athens Banner-Herald

Requirements:
Please refer to the Job Description to view the requirements for this job"

Trucker's Height Stick: Video