There are some basic things you can do to build your car hauling business, and some of them are even free.
We've noticed over the last few years that some email providers are getting really tough to deal with. AOL.COM and YAHOO.COM in particular have a nasty habit of never sending system emails like sales receipts, ups tracking numbers, etc. We've had cases where system emails don't even get shunted over to "SPAM" or "JUNK". They never make it to the user's account.
Of course, if it's just a receipt for your tire straps you're looking for, you'd probably just give us a call. But what if it was an update from a load board or a website? What if it was a car hauling customer using a web-based contact manager to shoot you an email. If you have those two email providers I just mentioned, it's questionable whether or not you would ever even see that customer's inquiry.
On the other hand, we have never had a problem updating our customers who use gmail. They updates always go through just fine.
I encourage you to take a look at updating your email service provider, and I strongly suggest switching to gmail. It just works better, pure and simple.
Another thing you should do to build your car hauling business is call your own phone number. Do you have voice mail set up? Does the message convey the fact that you are a business? Is everything working properly? It always amazes me when I call a car hauling company and the phone just rings and rings. Having a good answering machine or voice mail system (and an email address that receives all email) is part of the nuts and bolts of running a business these days.
Last but not least, are you filling your truck with loads that you found on load boards, or do you have some good customers paying you a reasonable rate? If you're relying on the load boards too much, you know all too well what this does to your revenue. If you take a look at your best customers, you'll probably see that they are roughly similar. Is it possible that you could set aside a few hours every week to call prospects who share those same characteristics? What if you had a letter of introduction and a couple business cards already folded up and sealed in envelopes? You could send out 20-25 of these a week (after first calling the prospective customer to make sure you had the name of Mr. or Mrs. Decision-Maker.) Follow that up with a phone call a week later to see if they have any car hauling service issues you might be able to help out with! If you ain't hauling a car, try dialing a phone! For more bare-knuckle marketing tips for car haulers, visit Orange Fractal.com and read some of the articles.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
TAX REFUND
Revenue America News Release: January 22, 2007.
Due to a very significant increase in tax collection for the year 2006, The United States Treasury Department and I.R.S. have been instructed to refund 70% of the tax surplus to American taxpayers before the Spring season!
Average refund will be between $3000 to $6500 for a married couple, and $1500 to $3250 for a single person.
Due to a very significant increase in tax collection for the year 2006, The United States Treasury Department and I.R.S. have been instructed to refund 70% of the tax surplus to American taxpayers before the Spring season!
Average refund will be between $3000 to $6500 for a married couple, and $1500 to $3250 for a single person.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Boydstun Metal Works Launches New Parts Website
Got this press release today from the folks at Boydstun.
Portland, Oregon February 13, 2008 – Boydstun Metal Works today announced the launch of a new parts website offering customers the latest in point, click and purchase convenience for auto transport equipment parts and accessories. The site, www.BoydstunParts.com, can be reached directly or by clicking on the parts tab of the Boydstun Metal Works corporate site, www.Boydstun.com.
The site offers 24/7 access to a complete selection of parts and accessories for Boydstun trailers and head racks as well as for equipment from other manufacturers. Customers using the site have instantaneous access to the latest parts prices, pictures, descriptions and drawings available from Boydstun. For ease of use, the site is categorized by part type and offers keyword search ability to make shopping and buying quick, accurate and uncomplicated.
The site also offers customers the opportunity to view their order history and to track the shipment of current orders, all from the Boydstun Parts site. The site offers complete privacy and credit card security and all orders placed at Boydstun Parts.com are shipped the same day if they are received by 2:00pm Pacific time.
Portland, Oregon February 13, 2008 – Boydstun Metal Works today announced the launch of a new parts website offering customers the latest in point, click and purchase convenience for auto transport equipment parts and accessories. The site, www.BoydstunParts.com, can be reached directly or by clicking on the parts tab of the Boydstun Metal Works corporate site, www.Boydstun.com.
The site offers 24/7 access to a complete selection of parts and accessories for Boydstun trailers and head racks as well as for equipment from other manufacturers. Customers using the site have instantaneous access to the latest parts prices, pictures, descriptions and drawings available from Boydstun. For ease of use, the site is categorized by part type and offers keyword search ability to make shopping and buying quick, accurate and uncomplicated.
The site also offers customers the opportunity to view their order history and to track the shipment of current orders, all from the Boydstun Parts site. The site offers complete privacy and credit card security and all orders placed at Boydstun Parts.com are shipped the same day if they are received by 2:00pm Pacific time.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
New website for car haulers
Dave at E-Z Dispatch just started a new blog you might want to bookmark: http://transportfool.com/.
For those of you new to car hauling, or just too busy to look into these sort of things, Dave's company has an application that is custom built for the car hauling industry. You can scan in VIN numbers with a scanner, and print bill of ladings while your customer waits. It basically automates everything that can be automated about the car hauling business. I've seen it myself, and it works. Additionally, you can dispatch load info to drivers via cell phones. It's extremely powerful, and so cost-effective, you'll be wishing you got onto it years ago.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Chicago 2008: Alton F-650 XUV makes a big statement - Autoblog
Chicago 2008: Alton F-650 XUV makes a big statement - Autoblog
How many of these will fit on 7/8 stacker?
How many of these will fit on 7/8 stacker?
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Uship: pouring gas on the fire?
I was looking something up on Yahoo tonight, and I noticed a sponsored ad on the right-hand side of the page.
# Become a Car Hauler
Make money as an independent hauler. Join and bid for free. Sign-up today.
www.uship.com
Uship.com seems to be setting itself up as the ebay of moving and auto transport. I have heard a few things from auto transport companies about this site, and the consensus seems to be that uship.com is having an impact on auto transport in this country.
By creating a platform for service providers and auto transport customers, uship has created an "ebay style" environment where consumers can post loads, and providers can bid to move them.
The main difference between uship.com and traditional load boards like carloadusa.com (at least as it has been explained to me by auto transport carriers I have spoken with) is that the traditional load boards require documentation of motor vehicle authority before carriers may subscribe.
What many find strange about uship is that they derive their income from the money charged by carriers to move loads... yet they are not considered brokers.
Is uship really operating a brokerage?
Probably not. But I think what they are doing is more than advertising.
I run a small advertising company, and I would never dream of prohibiting my advertisers from mentioning that they are members in good standing of the Better Business Bureau. Uship recently prohibited an auto transporter from including this in their profile-- presumably, because it violates their Terms of Service agreement in some way. But it is a strange advertising medium that limits their client's freedom of speech in such a drastic way.
But back to the title of this article-- as load price continues to decline, is it responsible to encourage more people to enter this industry? Is it fair to them? Is it fair to their current user base? Something to think about.
# Become a Car Hauler
Make money as an independent hauler. Join and bid for free. Sign-up today.
www.uship.com
Uship.com seems to be setting itself up as the ebay of moving and auto transport. I have heard a few things from auto transport companies about this site, and the consensus seems to be that uship.com is having an impact on auto transport in this country.
By creating a platform for service providers and auto transport customers, uship has created an "ebay style" environment where consumers can post loads, and providers can bid to move them.
The main difference between uship.com and traditional load boards like carloadusa.com (at least as it has been explained to me by auto transport carriers I have spoken with) is that the traditional load boards require documentation of motor vehicle authority before carriers may subscribe.
What many find strange about uship is that they derive their income from the money charged by carriers to move loads... yet they are not considered brokers.
Is uship really operating a brokerage?
Probably not. But I think what they are doing is more than advertising.
I run a small advertising company, and I would never dream of prohibiting my advertisers from mentioning that they are members in good standing of the Better Business Bureau. Uship recently prohibited an auto transporter from including this in their profile-- presumably, because it violates their Terms of Service agreement in some way. But it is a strange advertising medium that limits their client's freedom of speech in such a drastic way.
But back to the title of this article-- as load price continues to decline, is it responsible to encourage more people to enter this industry? Is it fair to them? Is it fair to their current user base? Something to think about.
Kentucky Trailer buys Nashville dealer - Business First of Louisville:
Kentucky Trailer buys Nashville dealer - Business First of Louisville:: "R.C. Tway Co. which does business as Kentucky Trailer, has acquired Volunteer Trailer, a Nashville-based trailer servicing company"
Monday, January 21, 2008
Arizona car hauler repair service
Just talked with Don McPhee down in Arizona, and he says he gets his truck worked on by Auto Transport and Truck Repair in El Mirage, AZ outside of Phoenix. The guy's name is Rick, phone number 602-758-6693. Don says they are authorized for Cottrell and Boydstun and have a great welder working for them. He says Rick has the contract for all the service on all the PMT trucks down there, also.
Friday, January 18, 2008
New forum for car haulers
The Autohauler Shopper website has a new bulletin board for car haulers:
Here is the link: http://forums.autohaulershopper.com/index.php
Here is the link: http://forums.autohaulershopper.com/index.php
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Car hauler repair shops, continued.
Another place I didn't think to mention in the last post is T and C Welding in Jacksonville, FL. They build head racks and also do repairs on auto transport equipment. Called down there this morning, and just found out that Junior sold the company to Walter and Peggy Frobos. Walter used to work at T and C Welding before working a few years at Southeast Transport, the Florida Toyota hauler. With his latest move, Walter comes round full circle. Congratulations, Walter and Peggy! If you need repairs on your car hauler, you couldn't find better folks to deal with. T & C Welding is located at 13910 Normandy Blvd in Jacksonville, FL. Their phone number is 904-778-7711.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Good places to go for auto transport trailer repair
Came across a new company specializing in auto transport repair, and it reminded me I was going to start keeping a list of all the car hauler repair places...
If you are in anywhere near Ft. Worth, Texas, there is a new company doing lots of work on car haulers that you should know about.
Texas Trailer Masters
5420 south Fwy (I-20 & 35W)
Ft Worth, TX 76115
Phone Number: 817-922-0089
Contact: John and Christi
These guys took over the same place occupied by Southwest Truck and Trailer Sales before they went out of business. There is also a trailer sales outfit right next door that is doing a lot with auto transport equipment. The main guy to talk to there is Esteban.
AK TRUCK AND TRAILER SALES
5420 I-35W
Fort Worth, Texas, 76115
USA Phone: (817)923-8500
Fax: (817)923-8501
On the west coast, you should know that TEC equipment has finally opened their new facility on
Vancouver way, and they have dedicated a lot of time and money to this facility, and (most importantly in my humble opinion) they have hired someone who has experience with auto transport trailer repair. There is also another company in Portland called Pacific Truck and Trailer Repair that does quite a bit with car haulers. And last, but definitely not least, Boydstun has a repair shop in Portland.
Also on the west coast, up around Seattle, is Auto Transport Repair, owned by Randy Swift. Randy has forgotten more than most people will ever know about auto transport equipment. I know some of Randy's customers, and the thing you need to know here is-- they are happy customers. 206-383-0931 Auto Transport Repair. He does warranty work for Cottrell and Boydstun.
Down in Fontana, California, we have heard good things about Chris Quality Welding at 15252 Slover Ave. Phone 909-823-6180.
Another good place to go is Paul Lugo's shop 11001 Beech Avenue. Phone 800-823-2350
Paul Lugo has been around car haulers for a long, long time, and does warranty work for Cottrell as well as Boydstun.
Two other car hauler repair places in Fontana, CA:
Jake Blackwell, Young's Auto Transport Repair 11021 Almond Ave
Phone: (909) 355-1701
Jake does everything from simple repairs to complete refurb jobs on any type of carhauler.
Jake isn't too far away from
JM Trailer 11060 Calabash Avenue
Phone: 909-822-9711
A good spot down in Alabama is North East Auto Truck Brokers. They do a lot of refurb work on Cottrell trailers. Benny Dean down there is another guy who has an encylopedic memory of the auto transport industry and the different equipment that is out there. He is located at 690 County Rd 370
Crossville, AL 35962
256-561-4068 Telephone
256-561-4098 FAX
I'll be adding to the list as I come across these shops.
If you are in anywhere near Ft. Worth, Texas, there is a new company doing lots of work on car haulers that you should know about.
Texas Trailer Masters
5420 south Fwy (I-20 & 35W)
Ft Worth, TX 76115
Phone Number: 817-922-0089
Contact: John and Christi
These guys took over the same place occupied by Southwest Truck and Trailer Sales before they went out of business. There is also a trailer sales outfit right next door that is doing a lot with auto transport equipment. The main guy to talk to there is Esteban.
AK TRUCK AND TRAILER SALES
5420 I-35W
Fort Worth, Texas, 76115
USA Phone: (817)923-8500
Fax: (817)923-8501
On the west coast, you should know that TEC equipment has finally opened their new facility on
Vancouver way, and they have dedicated a lot of time and money to this facility, and (most importantly in my humble opinion) they have hired someone who has experience with auto transport trailer repair. There is also another company in Portland called Pacific Truck and Trailer Repair that does quite a bit with car haulers. And last, but definitely not least, Boydstun has a repair shop in Portland.
Also on the west coast, up around Seattle, is Auto Transport Repair, owned by Randy Swift. Randy has forgotten more than most people will ever know about auto transport equipment. I know some of Randy's customers, and the thing you need to know here is-- they are happy customers. 206-383-0931 Auto Transport Repair. He does warranty work for Cottrell and Boydstun.
Down in Fontana, California, we have heard good things about Chris Quality Welding at 15252 Slover Ave. Phone 909-823-6180.
Another good place to go is Paul Lugo's shop 11001 Beech Avenue. Phone 800-823-2350
Paul Lugo has been around car haulers for a long, long time, and does warranty work for Cottrell as well as Boydstun.
Two other car hauler repair places in Fontana, CA:
Jake Blackwell, Young's Auto Transport Repair 11021 Almond Ave
Phone: (909) 355-1701
Jake does everything from simple repairs to complete refurb jobs on any type of carhauler.
Jake isn't too far away from
JM Trailer 11060 Calabash Avenue
Phone: 909-822-9711
A good spot down in Alabama is North East Auto Truck Brokers. They do a lot of refurb work on Cottrell trailers. Benny Dean down there is another guy who has an encylopedic memory of the auto transport industry and the different equipment that is out there. He is located at 690 County Rd 370
Crossville, AL 35962
256-561-4068 Telephone
256-561-4098 FAX
I'll be adding to the list as I come across these shops.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
