My issue with Amazon it, it could be Chinese stuff, especially with cheapo speakers. I don't like supporting XI if at all possible and Amazon delivery (at least around here has been going down hill pretty fast. Last shot I had was they backed into my roadside mailbox and wiped it out, Not the post but the box but in retailiation, my mailbox put a huge dent in the back doors of the delivery truck and they just drove away. Post is a 6 x 6 in concrete. I've been experiencing non delivery too. Guess that cannot read or something. Last delivery wound up down the road and they delivered it to us because they know us and time before that, I checked the tracking and it said I signed for the package but it was tossed in the front yard and I wasn't even home to sign anything. Getting stranger by the day. No issue with Fed-Ex or UPS. In fact we know the regular drivers and they always bring the pup biscuits as well he waits at the fence for his treats and to get petted. One of my hunting buddies works for FED-Ex managing 60 tractors leased to them and he told me Amazon's drivers wages are very low and they have a huge turnover in drivers. His contract drivers (Fed-Ex) average over 100 grand a year plus fully paid health care and they get a monthly fuel bonus plus a safety bonus for safe driving and on time deliveries. Of course the all pull short doubles and run teams from here Toledo distribution to Dallas and Fort worth Texas and normal 48 footers to the east cost plus Fed-Ex gives him a fuel discount and all the trailers are pre loaded and drop and hook, just back the convertor dollies up to the pup and hook it and then back and hook the lead and sometimes the yard jockey if not too busy will couple them up ahead of time.
They used to run west coast but no more. He has all late model Freightliner double bunks with automatics and disc brakes and turns them every million miles. Been having issues with Freightliner about getting new tractors so he went to Peterbilt for the most recent 5 units. Same as the Freight shakers but with ISX C Cummins instead of DDEC engines and Pete is telling him 3 tenths of a mile fuel increase and 3 tenths over 60 trucks is a lot of jack today and I know he will track that closely.
Two Albanian brothers own the trucks and they are the two nicest guys I have ever met plus they are drivers themselves and have a fantastic work ethic. If a driver is sick or has to take off for something personal, they replace him(or her) with themselves.
I had a Cadillac Seville they wanted to buy and did. Told them what I wanted for it, no haggling, nothing. Came up to the farm and paid cash and drove it away. I hunt with them as well. They speak somewhat broken English, don't bother me one bit though I do have to listen carefully some times and some of the things they say I find humorous.
I wish native Americans had the same can do attitude they do, we'd be a lot better off if they did.
They have zero driver turn over as well and yes, I've been offered a job, more than once but after almost 30 years o0f driving big trucks I really have no interest, besides, I already own a semi and contract haul grain with it.
Finally, they make big money. They own a 63 foot offshore diesel boat, drive new Ford diesel pickup trucks and I've never asked what they gross but I'd have to assume in the millions. They own outright 2 beautiful homes up north of Port Huron, Michigan and a summer place nearby our property in Big Rapids, Michigan on a private lake with 35 acres of wooded property.
I admire them for not only their attitudes but their outstanding work ethic as well. Great guys and so are their wives and children.
