vlade5394 Wrote:
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> You are welcome.
>
> Yes, I agree there are benefits to this job that
> simply don't fit into the balance sheet. Those
> can include getting your foot in the door with new
> MSPs, an enjoyable drive, or otherwise mixing
> personal pleasure and business.
>
> However, I have to disagree with your
> characterization of getting $40 net for the day
> ($80 fee - $40 gas). Like many shoppers you are
> ignoring your car expenses. You put 155 miles on
> your van that you would not have done otherwise.
> Now it is that many miles closer to the next oil
> change, tire replacement, radiator leak, etc..
> That trip cost you more money than gas. Unless
> you get car trouble like a flat tire while on a
> route, you just don't pay until later. The IRS
> allows us a simple way of calculating that cost.
> It is 56 cents per mile in 2014. The figure can
> change each year as the costs that go into formula
> change.
>
> Another IRS approved method is to divide expenses
> by business mileage. First, you add up all your
> van expenses for the year. These would be gas,
> insurance, repairs, maintenance, interest on any
> loan, etc.. and divide them by the percentage of
> miles you used the van for business. It is
> harder, so most people don't use this method. But
> if you give it a thought, you might see more
> clearly why I'm saying you really netted much less
> than $40 for that trip.
>
> Was it worth it for you? Hopefully it is worth it
> for you to get your foot in the door with at least
> some of those companies. It sounds like the
> 'daycation' was enjoyable. At times I will do
> trips like this for the enjoyment and pick up a
> shop or five along the way to add some income for
> the day. It comes down to is the question, "Is it
> sustainable as a business?" The answer is no. We
> could not do this every time out and survive.
> Companies realize that in rural areas they have to
> offer significant bonuses to get shops done. In
> time, when you get recognized as a reliable
> shopper, you will be able to ask for better
> bonuses to make it worthwhile. When you ask for
> them, include mileage as part of your cost. Your
> business depends on it.
You are absolutely right!! I am choosing to ignore certain things, and no, it wouldn't be sustainable over time. I'm actually paying the MSC's to work for them!
That said, I see great potential and a sustainable future. I have established myself with several major MSC's with average shop ratings of 9 and 10. I have developed a reputation as a "go-getter," I have let my schedulers know that they can depend on me if they are ever in a bind, even if it costs me money. And best of all, I am moving into a major metro area (Billings, MT), with an entire under-shopped state just begging to be shopped! The MSC's that I have notified are thrilled that I will be based in Billings! So, yeah, right now I'm shopping just for a little gas/food money because we are in a bad way financially. It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!! :-D
(My sister once described me as a "hopeless optimist!"
--
"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door.
You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet,
there's no telling where you might be swept off to!"
Bilbo Baggins