When i started my own biz, I was young and a little bit wild. nothing much in the bank and less in my pockets. I was full of enthusiasm and very willing to do the dirty work along with the gravy. The only truck i could afford was about ten years old, but big enough to haul all i needed to haul. for the first several years, I bought only old and beyond their prime trucks and ran into the ground. I was ecstatic when I finally was able to purchase new. I still ran them as long as possible and bought new again. When i had a large payroll, that seemed to work for me. I did, always pay close attention to maintenance, usually, before needed.
I always tried to be honest with my customers and give good value, even when driving a truck that was close to end of its days. I kept the equipment looking good even if under the sheet metal it was groaning. I had all the work I could handle even tho I have never advertised. Even with old trucks, I sometimes got jobs i knew i was high bidder on, so one time i asked a new customer why they had given me their work when i had told them i had never done some of what they had on the plans and my equipment was so ancient. That was asked as we were sitting over a couple of beers. The wife told me they liked my honesty and even more, they liked my enthusiasm. I always remembered that; and it is important. I am now in landscaping and slowly phasing out. I have a great group of clients, some on whom have kept me around for over 30 years. I have decent, but ancient, equipment. I buy my LS equipment new, but my trucks I find better to get used after thorough inspection and good pricing. Maybe when i get to be 40, i will retire and get a new truck once more.
The last truck i bought brand new was perhaps the worst deal i ever made, both in the truck and especially the dealer. the less said about that,the better. The present truck and the least expensive over the long haul is the truck i now drive. A 1/2 ton chevy 4x4 pickup with the short wheelbase. I bought it from a dealer. i was looking for a new 3/4T 4x4 pickup. i had never bought a 1/2T before, but spotted this one used. It had 55k on it but looked brand new. i crawled around underneath and checked all I could check that way, told the salesman this is the truck I want. He told me they only took it in a half hour ago and had not gone over it yet. i gave him a payment telling him to call me when it was ready. that was nearly 100k miles ago and i have only replaced the tranny other than regular service.
I used to service my own equipment as TimTool does, but I can afford now to have it done. I have been in this area for a looong time and know where I can get good service. To me, I have found that being careful what i buy, buy used and run forever and keep the maintenance up to date and thorough works for me. It does not work for everybody, but I am satisfied.
Tinker
