Episode 186: Don’t Trust Your Invoices! The Dangers of Outsourcing without Oversight

"You may outsource your M&R, but you can't outsource your fleet management. That has to be internal." – Marc CantonThe trio unpacks real-life horror stories, including unnecessary tire replacements, duplicate battery charges, and a $7,000 bill for work that should’ve cost $1,000. They hammer home the point that outsourcing maintenance is fine—but abdicating responsibility isn’t.Whether you're running 100 units or 4,000, this episode is a masterclass in oversight, system integration, and having the guts to ask, “Did you actually do that repair?”Key Takeaways:Outsourcing your M&R is not outsourcing your responsibility.Always audit invoices—even small transactions add up.Use your own fleet maintenance management system—don’t rely on the vendor’s software.Write clear, performance-based SLAs with incentives and penalties.A fleet maintenance system should flag warranty work and repeat repairs.Empower your team (or hire pros) to spot check the work physically on vehicles.Your FMC’s priority is their bottom line—not your fleet longevity.Marc Canton30-year fleet veteran, currently leading product and consulting at RTA. Known for calling out industry fluff with sharp insight and sharper humor.Steve SaltzgiverFleet Whisperer and consulting legend. Former director of fleets for Coca-Cola and multiple government entities. Brings unmatched operational wisdom to every conversation.Scott RoodFleet expert, wrench-turner-turned-strategist, and master of sniffing out invoice BS. Trusted industry voice and audit specialist. Looking to take the next step to fleet success? Start by requesting your free copy of The Fleet Success Playbook. Written by fleet professionals for fleet professionals, the Playbook breaks down the four key pillars of fleet success, and gives you the tools you need to build a truly great fleet. Request your free (yes, really, free!) copy here: https://rtafleet.com/resources/fleet-success-playbook?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213 Control fleet chaos with RTA Fleet360, proven software designed by fleet managers for fleet managers: https://rtafleet.com/book-a-demo?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213