I'm amazed by the hostility on here, and I have to side with Crozz. I think everyone agrees that the X Contract Model is terrible and that the scales are tipped completely in their favor. But I can attest, from personal experience with other Corporation's Contracts, License Agreements and Franchises, that this is how ALL companies handle 'contracted' or 'non-employee' entities. It's how they remain profitable for their shareholders. It's also how they control their brand and frankly it's their prerogative. If you choose to sign any such agreement, it's always best to go in with eyes wide open, a good attorney and with the mindset that you won't hedge any bet that you can't afford to lose. It's the same in almost every industry. I would venture to say that if UPS could get one secret wish, it would be to have the same model as X does. Because it's more profitable and far less cumbersome, from a corporate perspective. The simple fact is that there are really bad experiences and there are really good experiences. I will contest that a stable 25% profit margin, with no inventory expense, is not bad in this economy, especially when compared to other shipping contracts and/or retail businesses. Also, unless any of us are completely new to the concept of X or even contracting itself, I don't think we're 'drinking the kool-aid' in such a way to be blind to the facts. It's simply a political game and a numbers game. If you don't want to get rolled over, you have to drink at least some of the kool-aid, just to operate effectively within the contract. And, if you want to be profitable, you have to find clever ways to play with the numbers, to keep your controllable expenses slim and beef up your bottom line. Of course there's going to be people that hate this model. Sometimes I hate this model and ponder how ridiculous it is. But, since I'm in it and have a great deal of capital invested, it does no good to grind my teeth on all the disadvantages of the contract. If that was all I focused on, I'd be looking to sell. Instead, I'm trying to sharpen my teeth on ways to become more profitable within the confines of my contract. X is not going to change for us. So, I'd like to use this forum to find some new and unique ways to become better at managing growth, to lower expenses, combine resources and become more profitable. We should use this chance to collaborate and combine our unique experiences and wisdom to help each other succeed IN SPITE OF the contract. I know some of you have found better ways to operate and even some loopholes in ways to structure your growth. That's what I'd really like to work with other contractors to accomplish. None of us are too big to fail, we could lose our contracts and investments tomorrow. It's less likely that this same thing will happen to X. So, we're all we've got. Why not take advantage of this valuable resource? I think there's a place for all the negativity and discussion about the dark side of X, even if it's just to vent, but maybe in a separate thread, so that potential buyers and people getting ready to sell can go there to solidify their decisions. Because I'm sure none of the Ex-Contractors said these things to their buyers when they gleefully sold and signed over their routes. Nonetheless, I'd still like to collaborate with existing contractors, to help each other get better. Thanks!