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 Canton

Episode Summary

In this brutally honest episode of The Fleet Success Show, Marc Canton sits down with fleet OGs Steve Saltzgiver and Scott Rood to expose one of the most dangerous habits in fleet management: blind trust in outsourcing. Whether it’s an FMC, dealer service center, or third-party vendor, too many fleets are operating on autopilot—and hemorrhaging money in the process.

The 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.
  
  
  

Speaker Bios

Marc Canton
Head of Product & Consulting, RTA
With a background in consulting and analytics, Marc now leads the design of tomorrow’s fleet management software—one that meets real-world needs in the shop and the boardroom.

Steve Saltzgiver
Fleet Whisperer and consulting legend. Former director of fleets for Coca-Cola and multiple government entities. Brings unmatched operational wisdom to every conversation.

Scott Rood
Fleet expert, wrench-turner-turned-strategist, and master of sniffing out invoice BS. Trusted industry voice and audit specialist.

PODCAST HOT TAKES:

Why You Should Never ‘Set It and Forget It’ with Your FMC

Fleet Red Flags: Tires & Batteries Don’t Lie!

$7K Repair Bill? Here’s How a Fleet Pro Got It Down to $1K

You Can Outsource Maintenance, But NOT Fleet Management