That Old Truck Might Be Costing You a Whole Lot More Than You Think!
Tony Bass here with a quick question.
How old is the truck you're driving?
Five years? Eight years? Twelve years? More?
Maybe you've convinced yourself that driving an old truck is saving you money.
After all, it's paid for!
NO TRUCK PAYMENT! NO PROBLEM! RIGHT?
WRONG! (Watch the video we recorded this week on this topic!)
That old truck might be eating your profits faster than a hungry hog at feeding time!
And the worst part?
You might not even realize how much money it's costing you!
WHEN YOUR TRUCK STOPS, YOUR PROFITS STOP!
Think about it. Let’s say you've got three employees sitting in a truck that won't start or won’t go! That’s not good!
Or… your employees stop often at the gas station for gas… and snacks… and whatever else! (See how much that fuel stop is really costing you here!)
Downtime burns cash.
Your customers are waiting. Your employees are getting paid. Your mechanic is getting rich. And YOU?
You're losing money by the minute!
When equipment downtime increases, revenue decreases. When revenue decreases, cash flow suffers. And when cash flow disappears, your business is in TROUBLE!
Old trucks needing frequent repairs can burn through cash faster than an outdoor fire pit burns firewood on a cold January night! Sure, that old truck might be paid for.
But is that old truck paying YOU?
Let me explain.
NEW TRUCKS ARE MORE THAN JUST SHINY PAINT!
Today's new commercial trucks offer technology that simply wasn't available ten years ago.
Improved fuel economy. Better diagnostics. Advanced safety features. More efficient engines and transmissions.
And in many cases, technology that helps protect your most valuable assets...
YOUR EMPLOYEES!
Remember, your business doesn't make money because you own trucks.
Your business makes money because your trucks help your employees deliver services customers are willing to PAY FOR! Happy employees produce more work, stay with your company longer and get more done with the right equipment.
Every crew needs a good truck!
A truck should be a profit-producing machine. Not a rolling repair bill!
YOUR TRUCK CAN BECOME YOUR BEST SALESPERSON!
Here's something many landscape contractors overlook.
Your truck is a rolling billboard!
A new truck with professional graphics, a compelling marketing message, and a QR code connected to your website can generate new customers everywhere it travels.
Imagine your truck advertising your business while your employees are mowing lawns!
A prospective customer scans your QR code, visits your website, requests an estimate, and enters your automated sales follow-up system.
Your truck just helped generate another sales opportunity without you lifting a finger!
We wrote an entire How-To-Guide for landscapers who want to grow their sales but are sick and tired of wasting money on expensive GOOGLE and Facebook ads. You can watch the short video and download the guidebook here.
Yes. The right plan can automate your sales faster than you can change the blades on a zero turn…without spending endless money on pay-per-click-ads. That's what happens when you connect low-cost truck advertising with modern digital marketing.
You get more customers in less time! (Step-by-step customer attraction guidebook here.)
And that old, faded, beat-up truck? The one that misses the mark on automating your marketing?
You’re missing out on the easy money! The folks that are shopping for a dependable contractor in the neighborhood or business district you already serve!
These folks are ripe for the picking!
Attract neighbors and high-paying buyers fast when you park your truck (with well-designed billboard signs) in your customer’s yard. Your truck signs start the sales process without you ever knocking on a door!
Yes. It’s painful to think about how much that old truck is costing you! Missed opportunities are costing you a fortune!
There's more to think about…
WARRANTIES PROTECT YOUR CASH FLOW!
New trucks generally come with manufacturer warranties that protect against expensive repairs for years.
Instead of wondering when your next $5,000 repair bill will arrive, you can plan your operating expenses with greater confidence.
With fewer repairs, you have more time to serve customers, create income and grow profits by serving your customers instead of paying your mechanic!
And because new trucks generally qualify for more competitive financing rates than used trucks, you may be able to preserve working capital while upgrading your fleet.
Think of it like this: Predictable payments beat unpredictable breakdowns!
HERE'S SOMETHING FEDZILLA ACTUALLY GOT RIGHT!
SECTION 179 DEPRECIATION!
Under Section 179 of the IRS tax code, qualifying businesses may deduct a substantial portion—or potentially all—of the cost of a new truck in the year it's placed into service, subject to applicable limits and rules.
Think about that!
You purchase equipment that makes your company more productive, improves your marketing, reduces downtime, AND lowers your income taxes!
In effect, the government helps pay for part of your truck through tax savings!
Of course, the actual savings depend on your tax situation, business use, and vehicle eligibility. Ask your CPA. We’re not trying to provide tax advice for hire. But the truth is the truth!
Here's the point.
One of the greatest advantages of owning a business is the ability to invest in productive equipment while legally reducing your tax liability!
STOP THINKING ABOUT THE PAYMENT. START THINKING ABOUT THE PROFIT!
I've spent nearly 40 years in the landscape industry. And I've learned something important.
The cheapest truck to OWN isn't always the cheapest truck to OPERATE!
Before you spend another dollar repairing that old truck, ask yourself:
Would a new truck help my employees produce more revenue, reduce downtime, attract more customers, and protect my cash flow?
If the answer is YES...
Maybe it's time to stop feeding that old truck your hard-earned profits!
We’ve witnessed business owners drop $5,000 on a tranny in April and another $3,000 on brakes in June, just about the time you should be making the most money of the year. Yes, $8,000 in repair bills are painful for cash flow.
But if you miss two to four weeks a year of productive work days, you are probably seeing another $5,000 to $10,000 in revenue lost forever. That’s downright heartbreaking.
Here’s a little rhyme to help you remember this message:
If the truck ain’t right,
The day ain’t bright!
If the truck is down,
My face is showing a frown!
Please. Update your old trucks. Then you can become the Profitable, Reliable, Optimistic, Useful and Determined to be… super-successful landscaper your customers can count on.
Build a Business. Build a Life. Build a Legacy. Be the PROUD Landscaper in your town.
Tony Bass
Founder, Super Lawn Trucks
Author, The Proud Landscaper
Co-Author, The E-Myth Landscape Contractor
P.S. Your old truck might be paid for. But every day it sits in the repair shop, YOU'RE STILL PAYING FOR IT! ☹️
Ready to put a profit-producing truck to work?
Visit www.SuperLawnTrucks.com and discover a better way to work!
Call or text 478-822-9704 to ask questions, get a quote or find out about current specials on Super Lawn Trucks.
P.P.S. - Join us to learn the EXACT number you should be charging for your new or old truck (and all your other equipment), this winter at our LIVE Profit Builder seminar!
In our recording from this week’s webinar, we listed the many costs involved in owning trucks. It’s not just the payment, insurance and fuel! Join us at Profit Builder and learn how to cost your equipment down to the penny to make sure you are covering all of the acquisition, ownership and operation costs of your truck!
RESOURCES:
- “Do You Drive an Old Truck?” Webinar Recording
- “Skip the Stop” - How much your fuel stops are really costing your landscape company!
- Turn Your Truck into a 24/7 Sales Machine
- Get your copy of The Proud Landscaper here!
- Super Lawn Trucks - find your perfect truck now!
