Is this a scam? Need advice

Posted by Serious_Mongoose61@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 14 comments

So I’ve been given an offer by let’s call him an acquaintance where I leave the company I’m working for once I get a bit more experience, then I go work for him as he has a truck (currently working for a mega so leaving won’t be the issue). He says everything will be split 50/50 after expenses (def/fuel, and insurance) he will cover any maintenance, and I will be W-2 not 1099.

It sounds great but it also sounds risky and I’m a new driver so I’m sure there’s things I’m unaware of where I can be taken advantage of. Very humble and nice guy so the trust is there but you never know peoples true intentions until you take that leap of faith.

Any advice would be great, would you take this offer? Is there things I should be asking? Or is this a flat out no and decline his offer?

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PlsCheckThisBush@reddit

Are you paying DEF/Fuel and Insurance? If so you’ll be bankrupt unless he has some major high-paying contracts.

Either way for a W2 position I would like a LOT more of a clear pay plan on what sort of loads and equipment and breakdown stuff is going on.

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Serious_Mongoose61@reddit (OP)

He would pay for def and fuel I would pay half for the insurance. For the loads it would be going through JB hunt

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Financial-Prize9691@reddit

I don't understand how you are W-2 and still paying expenses.

Assuming that the numbers work out, you are going to be taxed on those expenses, because you can't deduct them as a W2.

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AutumnBrooks2021@reddit

JB Hunt sucks. You couldn’t pay me enough to drive for them. Keep looking.

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CakewalkNOLA@reddit

Don't do it. It'll be possibly the worst decision you ever make if you do.

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Environmental-Pear40@reddit

I mean, it sounds weirdish But I think what you're talking about is someone is trying to put together their own fleet. 50% of the load is kind of high especially for a new driver. If it's W2 it's probably not a scam. You would want a sold employment contract with them of course. Have it require them to also send you the rate con for every load you pull and probably like a quarterly summary of expenses. You might want to talk to legal aid or a lawyer about that. I'm not exactly a contract attorney so.

If someone is going to pay you percentage they have to send you the rate con otherwise they're trying to fuck you, imo. I mean, I worked for a company doing 32% of the load and ended up getting screwed because I didn't know that I should be asking for the rate con. And that was with 5 years of experience just to get in the door.

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Serious_Mongoose61@reddit (OP)

Thank you for this response, he’s definitely trying to put together a fleet but in the earliest of stages. So if I get a lawyer involved and demand the rate con I should be good?

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Environmental-Pear40@reddit

The lawyer is optional, in my opinion. But would be the smartest move if possible. At least legal aid should be able to help. Yeah, rate con should be a non negotiable, imo. If the dudes chill I wouldn't look a gift horse to hard in the face. Just make sure it has teeth.

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deezkeys098@reddit

Team with him? You would be getting paid about the same as a regular company driver in your own truck as long as you have 1 year experience you can get on with a company that will pay you .60-.65 cpm you would be making that if not less working with the guy on his truck and you would be sleeping in a moving truck not worth it in my opinion

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Serious_Mongoose61@reddit (OP)

No not team id be driving solo

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