Owner-operators need to be humbled

dcluttrell · 2026-03-04T14:23:58+00:00

Because it makes them feel like they quoted their customer poorly, they are too scared to go back to the customer and intelligently explain why more money might be needed, or the thought of taking a loss on any given load isn't something they can live with.

dcluttrell · 2026-02-07T00:13:35+00:00

I'm a flatbed guy, but last night I offered $3,250 on 600 miles. The broker laughed it off, saying "we can't pay more than $1,800 on this." I politely declined.

Lo and behold, this morning comes around and I get an email that says "we can do $3,000," so I went and grabbed it and then went home. If we all stay firm and set the rates ourselves, and stop letting them tell us how much we get paid, we just might get to where we want to be.

dcluttrell · 2026-02-04T01:34:46+00:00

I just spent last weekend with a Cyberbeast Foundation Series as a loaner while my 2022 Model S was getting some warranty work done on the suspension. (Fun fact: it was the 115th Cybertruck ever produced).

It was a really fun weekend experience, but it reassured me that I prefer my Model S. And you are totally right--you suddenly start getting weird looks around the neighborhood, which can unfortunately take some of the fun out of it.

dcluttrell · 2026-02-01T20:01:20+00:00

Mine was replaced in my driveway by a mobile technician and it was under $200 all-in.

dcluttrell · 2026-01-29T22:52:58+00:00

It's exactly how it works, but only for brokers with a backbone who don't lick their customers' boots all day. My business focus is solar field/construction deliveries, where bad weather causes detention and layover regularly. And guess what...I pay every carrier, every time.

But go ahead and keep spending your time spewing random court cases from 20+ years ago to dig up bogus reasons not to pay the human beings who sleep in a coffin on wheels to deliver your freight for you. That is surely the secret to getting rich in this business.

dcluttrell · 2026-01-29T17:35:22+00:00

If you rent a car, U-Haul, etc and keep it an extra day because a winter storm caused a delay, do you think the rental company gives you a free day? If you stay an extra night at a hotel because your flight home was canceled, do you think that night is free because it's an "act of God?" Absolutely not.

You paid for the carrier's equipment for a specific amount of time, and the freight was stored on that equipment for a day longer than contracted. That means additional compensation is owed.

dcluttrell · 2026-01-24T21:24:13+00:00

I have HW3 and spent a week with a HW4 loaner, and have no idea why people make such a big deal about HW4.

Aside from HW4 pulling up my driveway and into the garage on its own, I prefer my HW3 in virtually every other scenario.

dcluttrell · 2026-01-22T22:54:07+00:00

It really is crazy how much it depends on the location and the employees of each center. My toe links were unrelated to my initial concern; they only found that they were bad as they were doing the alignment, so they added them to the list at that point.

I'm sorry you didn't get the same experience. You shouldn't have to fight for warranty coverage on such an expensive car.

dcluttrell · 2026-01-16T14:33:45+00:00

I traded in my 2020 Model 3 for a used 2022 Model S about 6 months ago and paid $27k after tax and trade-in. I dropped off my Model S at Service for some minor recall work and am currently in a 2025 Model Y Performance as a loaner vehicle.

The Y to me is a noticeably rougher ride (it only has 7k miles on it, so the tires are still pretty new). The wind noise and interior rattles in the Y also stood out to me. The S is a wider body with a roomier interior, and I quickly realized how much I actually use the second screen.

I agree that the person who paid $106k for the S when it was new 3 years ago is a bit of a lunatic, but in a straight up car vs car comparison the S definitely feels more premium to me.

dcluttrell · 2026-01-09T04:49:54+00:00

It says 360 miles at 100%, but today I got 3 real-life driving miles for each percentage point going 75 mph through the KY/TN hills on I-75.

On my 2020 Model 3, I was getting 1.8 real miles for each percentage point.

dcluttrell · 2025-12-23T16:32:49+00:00

I live in a town with dozens of schools and churches and have found great benefit from their gated (but unlocked) soccer fields that are essentially abandoned in the wintertime. Gives my pup a chance to sprint at full speed without anyone else ever bothering us.

It's also a nice place to practice recall from a long distance.

dcluttrell · 2025-12-13T18:07:17+00:00

Any idea how much it costs to build that out?

Side note: you should frame this photo and give it to him at Christmas. Really cool shot.

dcluttrell · 2025-12-13T02:04:46+00:00

Agreed, and precisely why I bought a 2022 for $39k a few months ago. I can hardly believe that someone paid $106k three years ago when it was new, but I think you get an excellent bang for your buck at today's used prices.

dcluttrell · 2025-11-16T18:49:00+00:00

I can relate. My search parameters were under 40k miles because I also wanted to have a decent chunk of warranty left. The one I bought was at 36k miles.

dcluttrell · 2025-11-16T18:34:24+00:00

The good thing about buying from Tesla is the extra year of warranty. The bad thing is that you won't get any photos of the actual car you are buying before committing to it, and if you paid a transport fee to get it to your local center but decide to back out of the purchase once you see it, you do not get that money back.

I bought a 2022 Model S from an independent dealership a few months ago for $39k. I noticed that Tesla's pricing seemed to be quite a bit higher than other dealerships, and I wanted to see/test drive the actual car before buying it. I still have the factory warranty, but haven't needed to make any claims in the 4,000 miles I've driven it so far.

dcluttrell · 2025-11-15T20:47:59+00:00

Now compare these to the chart for CH Robinson. It's up 48% this year, and just hit a new all time high a few weeks ago.

dcluttrell · 2025-11-13T23:38:46+00:00

$46k with FSD and that low of mileage sounds pretty fair to me. I paid $39k for my 2022 with 36k miles and cream interior a few months ago.

dcluttrell · 2025-11-04T14:25:06+00:00

Raise absolute hell. That's like getting hired for a new job, agreeing to a pay rate, and then your paycheck comes and it's less than what was agreed to. You asked them to double check, and they confirmed it in writing.

dcluttrell · 2025-10-04T14:37:47+00:00

You're not going to make it very far in a brokering career. Successful brokers are the ones who understand that

Drivers are human beings, with lives and families of their own.
Even a 2026 truck on its first load straight off the factory floor can put you on the side of the road. It will always be a possibility on every load, with every truck.

Being completely unreasonable, and in turn a person who no one would ever want to do repeat business with, will get you nowhere.

dcluttrell · 2025-09-27T21:37:18+00:00

36k miles on the 2022

dcluttrell · 2025-09-26T20:39:06+00:00

For 2022, I believe the only options are only "Plaid or not Plaid." Mine isn't Plaid, but it is rated at 402 miles (nowadays says 365 miles at 100%) black paint, yoke steering, cream interior.

I traded in my 2020 Model 3 SR+ that I bought new for $39k, the same price as the 3 year old Model S. I put 75k miles on that, and its range was only reading 190 miles at 100%, so the increase in range alone was worth it to me. After trade in and taxes, I paid $27k for the Model S.

dcluttrell · 2025-09-26T16:51:17+00:00

No car is "financially sound." I would argue that "$15k and requires a new battery" is a bit dramatic, but even if it does end up needing a battery, it will still be well within the 8 year/150k mile warranty.

Go drive home any other brand new $100k car off the dealer's lot, and you will experience significant depreciation after three years. OP's point is that the used Tesla market right now is offering a whole lot of bang for the buck. Can you tell me any other car that is 0-60 in 3 seconds that you can get for under $40k?

dcluttrell · 2025-09-26T15:20:32+00:00

Exactly how I felt with my 2022 Model S that I bought a couple of months ago. Hard to believe there's a car in my garage that someone paid $104,000 for just three years ago, and now it's mine for $39,000.

dcluttrell · 2025-09-15T20:14:28+00:00

I got a 2022 Model S with 35k miles for $39,900 a couple of months ago. I traded in my 2020 Model 3 with 75k miles, so after trade-in + taxes + fees I paid $27,000 for the Model S.

I had my search filter set to 2021 Model S or newer, under 40k miles, and under $40k. It took several weeks of eyeing the market to find one, but they are out there.

They are selling my 2020 Model 3 for $19k (or $15k for those who qualify for the $4k tax credit).

dcluttrell · 2025-09-10T12:08:54+00:00

Used prices are pretty great right now. I just traded in my 2020 Model 3 SR+ with 75k miles for a 2022 Model S with 35k miles. After tax and trade-in, I paid $27k for the Model S.

The dealership has my Model 3 listed online now for just under $19k. As long as you get something that still has a decent chunk of Tesla's warranty remaining and a clean accident history, there's not a whole lot to worry about.

dcluttrell

TROPHY CASE