Complaint Review: Interstate Equipment Leasing - Swift

Why would anyone lease a truck from a company because there credit sucks and nobody in the world would loan them money to buy a truck. I bought my first truck thru selec trucks of jacksonville, florida and I didn't regret it at all. I put down $8000 down and my payments are $681 a month for 5 years. I got my loan thru a local bank here in jacksonville, florida. Before you sign a lease agreement read the f**king thing completely especially the sections that talks about ending the lease agreement. 90% of people leasing a truck thru a company are f**king dumb and can't understand this at all. If the leasing department tells you that its a walk away lease then double check the sections in the lease contract that talks about ending the lease at any time. Or pay a lawyer to read the contract to make sure that there is a walk away lease option in it. 90% of the same f**king dumb drivers are the ones that if you tell them that they will get rick by investing in a certain stock by just putting in $50 and they will believe you. READ THE WHOLE CONTRACT BEFORE YOU SIGN IT, and if you do sign a contract most likely you are going to recieve a weekly a*s raping because the reason a company does lease programs is to have the leasee pay the truck off for them because 80% of lease drivers DO NOT EVER FINISH the entire lease because you have to stay out on the road every f**king week just to make that weekly truck payment.

Hey, I just recieved the "magic" first of many phone calls from the collection agency that handles Swift's IEL accounts. I was a company driver for a year and a half then decided that to make any money in this trucking game,I became a "mentor"owner/op.MISTAKE (for me at least).
From day one,from the factory no less I leased a 08 International Pro Star. Drove it exactly 73 Miles and ended up owing Swift $300+ for an on road visit (the first of many). the truck was a lemon from the start. After many shop visits and dealership recalls. Gradually it drove my payments to over 5k,wasn't making any money,living off advances at 100 dollars a week for 3 month just don't cut it. Long story short, I too got my "you owe us 84k,how you plan on paying us?" I promtly called Swift owner/op division and was informed that he really wasn't supposed to be talking to me as it has been turned over to collections. But in a low tone after I explained to him my dissatisfaction he replied to me "get it down to a couple of grand and settle" Must be the norm there, Fact is, those trucks get resold more than enough to cover loss. So Mat,if you still read this thread or anyone else in my similar situation. I need a course of action. Bankruptcy? Don't talk to them on the phone? oh did I mention the woman on the phone threatened my CDL's.... I don't know if a settlement could effect my license. But my livelyhood revolves on my license. I am not the happiest of campers.

Hey, I just recieved the "magic" first of many phone calls from the collection agency that handles Swift's IEL accounts. I was a company driver for a year and a half then decided that to make any money in this trucking game,I became a "mentor"owner/op.MISTAKE (for me at least).
From day one,from the factory no less I leased a 08 International Pro Star. Drove it exactly 73 Miles and ended up owing Swift $300+ for an on road visit (the first of many). the truck was a lemon from the start. After many shop visits and dealership recalls. Gradually it drove my payments to over 5k,wasn't making any money,living off advances at 100 dollars a week for 3 month just don't cut it. Long story short, I too got my "you owe us 84k,how you plan on paying us?" I promtly called Swift owner/op division and was informed that he really wasn't supposed to be talking to me as it has been turned over to collections. But in a low tone after I explained to him my dissatisfaction he replied to me "get it down to a couple of grand and settle" Must be the norm there, Fact is, those trucks get resold more than enough to cover loss. So Mat,if you still read this thread or anyone else in my similar situation. I need a course of action. Bankruptcy? Don't talk to them on the phone? oh did I mention the woman on the phone threatened my CDL's.... I don't know if a settlement could effect my license. But my livelyhood revolves on my license. I am not the happiest of campers.

Hey, I just recieved the "magic" first of many phone calls from the collection agency that handles Swift's IEL accounts. I was a company driver for a year and a half then decided that to make any money in this trucking game,I became a "mentor"owner/op.MISTAKE (for me at least).
From day one,from the factory no less I leased a 08 International Pro Star. Drove it exactly 73 Miles and ended up owing Swift $300+ for an on road visit (the first of many). the truck was a lemon from the start. After many shop visits and dealership recalls. Gradually it drove my payments to over 5k,wasn't making any money,living off advances at 100 dollars a week for 3 month just don't cut it. Long story short, I too got my "you owe us 84k,how you plan on paying us?" I promtly called Swift owner/op division and was informed that he really wasn't supposed to be talking to me as it has been turned over to collections. But in a low tone after I explained to him my dissatisfaction he replied to me "get it down to a couple of grand and settle" Must be the norm there, Fact is, those trucks get resold more than enough to cover loss. So Mat,if you still read this thread or anyone else in my similar situation. I need a course of action. Bankruptcy? Don't talk to them on the phone? oh did I mention the woman on the phone threatened my CDL's.... I don't know if a settlement could effect my license. But my livelyhood revolves on my license. I am not the happiest of campers.

Hey, I just recieved the "magic" first of many phone calls from the collection agency that handles Swift's IEL accounts. I was a company driver for a year and a half then decided that to make any money in this trucking game,I became a "mentor"owner/op.MISTAKE (for me at least).
From day one,from the factory no less I leased a 08 International Pro Star. Drove it exactly 73 Miles and ended up owing Swift $300+ for an on road visit (the first of many). the truck was a lemon from the start. After many shop visits and dealership recalls. Gradually it drove my payments to over 5k,wasn't making any money,living off advances at 100 dollars a week for 3 month just don't cut it. Long story short, I too got my "you owe us 84k,how you plan on paying us?" I promtly called Swift owner/op division and was informed that he really wasn't supposed to be talking to me as it has been turned over to collections. But in a low tone after I explained to him my dissatisfaction he replied to me "get it down to a couple of grand and settle" Must be the norm there, Fact is, those trucks get resold more than enough to cover loss. So Mat,if you still read this thread or anyone else in my similar situation. I need a course of action. Bankruptcy? Don't talk to them on the phone? oh did I mention the woman on the phone threatened my CDL's.... I don't know if a settlement could effect my license. But my livelyhood revolves on my license. I am not the happiest of campers.

I just read where this is what is known as a sublease or sublet.
Kinda makes me rethink they can't bill 2 people at the same time rule.
Credit problems? I have a 715 credit score. A lease driver I met at swift was right. This does NOT go on credit report.
Gee makes you wonder why. Doesnt it?

i have noticed swift has alot of 'operators' in leased freightliners, funny, they havent had a lease program contract with freightliner as the supplier in....5 years? and the lease terms are......4 years? thats just amazing how many drivers they have done this to. and continue to do it to.

thanks for the info again. I sent them a debt dispute letter, telling them i would sue them if they called me again, they have 15 more days to respond. in writing. i will keep posting to this to help people who got screwed on their contract and now are getting screwed on their lease contract.

I might be getting a summons, there was no 'settlement' offer, i think after reading what you just said, they only got me on the phone to re affirm it.

now that you bring it up it makes sense, they wouldnt accept any settlement. they would bring up a settlement, and then when i said ok, raise the payment, and hasten the time it was due in.

i need the lawyer from caddyshack 2.

Matthew,

Don't pack yet, thats not how statute of limitations works. The applicable SOL is determined by the state you signed the agreement in. And if the state you signed in is different than where you lived when you signed it, your place of residence at the time is the standard unless the contract specifies otherwise.

Furthermore, they can only sue you for the time between when you defaulted and when they re-leased the truck or sold it, plus actual costs involved. If they charges it off as they are supposed to after 6 months in default, they can only charge 6% interest and they have to ask for court costs and legal fees in the suit.

The biggest mistake here is speaking with them on the phone and even discussing a settlement. You may have re-affirmed the debt without even knowing it.

STAY OFF THE PHONE!!

Yeah now the figure is down to a 5 grand settlement. 3 weeks ago on the first phone call they wanted it paid within 6 monthes. I talked to the lady today again and now its 4 months. I cant fight swift in court right. I don't even have the kind of money she wants, nearly a grand a month originally, now up to 1200 about. Personal loan, credit card limit increase, I dont know.

I dont even know what wording to look for in the settlement to make sure its a real final settlement.

My brother got out of a lease years ago. They call him, thats it. Probably waiting for interest to pile up so they can come after him when he buys a house or something before the statue of limitiations is up in his state. Plus they have no idea where he lives or works.

Then I read creditinfocenter. It has something about a debt dispute letter, but again I can't afford to fight them in court. I am thinking of calling OOIDA, but they were useless when I talked to them the last few days I was in the lease truck. "Yeah we could have helped you" they gave no advice whatsoever.

I am thinking of just changing my address to a florida residence (you only have to live in florida for 2 weeks to be a legal resident) and laying low for 3 years, then after 3 years they cant come after me in florida. I am going to consult an attorney as to what would allow me the fairest legal actions. But I feel s.o.l.

Declaring bankruptcy isnt much of an option.

Was the first figure they offered to settle for, was it accurate?

Being a uckn cowboy is what got me into this mess, ripoff, I need to be done with it.

If I could just get the bill paid off this job has created, I wouldn't even be doing this anymore I dont think.

Mathew, call the collection agency and talk with them if that truck was released than you only have to pay for the time that the truck was setting before they released. If the person at the collection agency want you to come up with this lump settlement in just a few days ask to speak with his/or her manager. That big number is just a scare tactic they will settle for less if your truck has been released.

I leased a truck from swift, i dont understand the sub lease idea, i was pressured into signing the lease, lied to, rushed and felt like i had to sign it, i turned the truck in after they didnt do the little they say they will in the contract.

and a collection agency is coming after me for 85 grand, i just got the bill in the mail.


by the way i never went to swifts owner operator orientation, i went to one of their contractors orientation though.

i was wondering what course you took i would really appreciate your advice.

Rich,

As a new driver seeking training your choices are limited. VERY limited. If you seriously want to do this, do a few things first. And I do mean before you take the job.

Be sure you lower your lifestyle and bills as low as you possibly can, as you WILL have $100-$200 weeks with swift and be lucky to see $600 take home. For your first 6 months - 1 year you will be LUCKY to take home $400 a week. Very lucky.

DO NOT even consider a lease program until you have at least 2+ years in the industry and know how it works, and who's who, etc..

Participate in one of those tax programs for drivers. Get every deduction you can get and take all of your benefits on a pre-tax basis is possible.

Don't let ANYONE force you into operating illegally. It is on you, not them. Your ticket. Your CDL. Your LIFE. Just say NO.

Good luck and have fun!

I drove OTR for 9 years. Got tired of it, divorced, and left the industry.

At .26 per mile, you won't earn a consistent $700 per week. Freight can slow down, you can be in an area where there just isn't a lot going out, etc.

At that rate, 2500 miles per week will gross $650 for you, before taxes, school fees, and whatever else there is taken out of your check. You won't make a lot at first. Took me about two years to feel fully comfortable. And I refused to kill myself from the start. Yes, I ran a couple of weeks that nearly killed me, figuratively speaking. In the long run, it's not worth it... too much toll on the body and soul.

And, as far as Swift is concerned, you'll have problems at almost any large company. Period. I worked for several of the biggies (JB, CREngland, Heartland), and had both good and bad. Find the situation that works for YOU...doesn't matter what anyone else believes. If it works for you, then it's right. My last company was paying me .32. I could have made .40 somewhere else, but I got more miles, had a nicer truck, and, most importantly, a fleet manager that was a good as gold. It's the FM that will make or break you in the end. You could be making a buck a mile....but if your FM isn't worth a hoot, you won't make money. AND you won't get home when you want to. I basically ran my own show with him. I could stay out three weeks, then go home for four or five days, or I could see the house every weekend...it was my choice.

Get your experience.... learn the industry... talk to other drivers. But be careful of those drivers who have nothing good to say at all. Take each comment with a grain of salt. And don't kill yourself for another hundred bucks. It's just worth it in the long run.

Be safe, and good luck my friend.

I AM 35. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW CAREER AS A DRIVER (THROUGH SWIFTS PROGRAM) SOON AND DON'T HAVE TIME TO F* AROUND. I HONESTLY JUST WANT TO EARN MONEY. IS SWIFT THAT BAD; OR IS THERE JUST ALOT OF ISOLATED INCIDENTS? 2 SIDED STORIES? OR FACTUALLY DOES SWIFT JUST SUCK? OTHER OPTIONS? FROM WHAT I CAN SEE I NEED TO BE ANAL ABOUT PAPERWORK AND QUALCOMM.? ALSO WHEN THE TIME COMES I WOULD THINK IT WISE TO FINANCE MY OWN TRUCK/NOT LEASE...? I AM 100% IGNORANT OF THE INDUSTRY, I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT. I DO BELIEVE I POSSESS SOME DRIVING SKILL AND ALOT OF COMMON SENSE WHICH SEEMS TO BE HARD TO FIND ON THE ROADS TODAY. CAN I EXPECT TO AVG. APPROX. $700WK. GROSS AT THE ".26" HR? I APPRECIATE YOUR REPLIES, THANK YOU AND DRIVE SAFE. RECENT SWIFT DRIVERS PLEASE ALSO REPLY...

Regardless of what Swift tells you.

First of all, a driver who leases a truck is just that..A lease driver. NOT an owner operator.

An owner operator is the person who owns and operates his/her own truck. This can be done under the owner operators own authority, or the owner operator can lease his truck on to operate under someone elses authority, then he/she is no longer an owner operator.. He/She is now a lease driver. Swift now owns all rights to the use of that owner operators truck.

When you sign one of these leases, you are not taking out a loan. A loan would be when you purchase the truck. Swift backs the entire deal with the supplier of the trucks. The trucks are actually leased to Swift, and Swift sub-leases the truck to the driver.

This is just a good way for major companies to let drivers buy trucks for the company. The driver never owns the truck. Swift does.

It was covered in Owner/ Op Oreintation. That is part of the reason you are sent to the d**n class. Where on the face of the earth can you take a $85,000.00 loan and not have consequnces? You take a loan, default, you have credit problems.