Charging for additional items.

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GH Transport Scotland

5
Original Poster

I'm sure some of you will have some across this, but it is really starting to get to me. 


For example this morning go to job which was booked to collect 5 items, turn up and its more like 12 and a bike!!! Now the van was empty so space wasn't an issue it's just the fact they expect you to take it for the same price because your "going anyway". Now I'm not greedy and had they asked it most likely wouldn't have been a problem but it's the assuming you will just do it. 

Am I been petty? 

Actually considered putting an additional charge for excess items in my Ts&cs

Springer Express Couriers

2148

it's simple when they mention 'ebay' double the price and they normally don't bother!!
it's an idiots force field.

Nottingham & Derby Couriers

3179

This all depends on how you sell your service,

With us we sell under the pretext that the customer is booking the van whether it's 1 item or the complete vanload.

We only ask that any and all goods are within the weight limit of the van requested.

MK BIKES

2821

Are they all going to the same destination?

GH Transport Scotland

5
Original Poster

Mainly these jobs come from auction sites and are either backloads or little extras on way somewhere, but occasionally I do local stuff on it if I'm quiet. 


Yes most of the time all going to them same place.

Nottingham & Derby Couriers

3179

If you do alot of deliveries from sites such as shiply and anyvan you will generally be a busy idiot so to speak as people want a bargain delivery service to go with their bargain purchase.

3T Deliveries

238

i have a bit on my website that states the extra cost for anything extra added to the journey.

this way they can see im not trying it on.

you should charge them more as the quoted price was for the listed items, what if you didnt have space in the van, would they leave the stuff behind?

GH Transport Scotland

5
Original Poster

That's what's bothering me, I use it to fill dead miles or take a little extra when the van has space.

So if I bid on for example 5 boxes it's because I know I have room for 5, not 7, 10 etc.

MK BIKES

2821

That's the difference then you are filling space in the van not the van, I'd imagine they do it because the cost will be less and once you turn up your good nature will take over and you cant possibly refuse, the only thing you can do is to reiterate on booking that its space they are buying, more space more money.

Doo Moves

242

As and when i use these sites with my bid i include a list of conditions ie one man and van or 2 men etc and always state its based on the information given and extra items will be charged for, you have to cover your self , and generally these people are getting a good price in the first place. Like anything nowadays you have to cover yourself. 


RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD.

2848

just quote PROPERLY for 'a Van'

Matters not then if it is just filled with an envelope or 5 pallets !


GH Transport Scotland

5
Original Poster

Yeah I think I will be adding that in for these sites.


If you read it quoting for a full van isn't the point its extra space I'm trying to fill.

3T Deliveries

238

When i charge a price its not on whats delivered its the distance.

it can be a single letter or it can be a van full, the miles are still the same.

yes i know weight can mean more diesel but you cant charge 40 p a mile for a letter and 90 p a mile for larger things, that will just mean you get more letters to deliver and have to do more hours to make the same money.

i price for the distance not what im carrying, if though i turn up and there is more id charge more as you can always use the excuse the space is already booked and to cancel it will mean you pay the cost.


Gator Couriers

5

I came across this quite often when I used to move the ebay stuff all the time.

If it was just an odd small additional item I used to let them get away with it but if it was something large or there was a number of extra items I always used to charge them a bit extra.... £10 - £20

I use to tell them.... Price quoted was to move the items as listed, your paying for space on the van, you don't have sole use of the van, not at this low rate. Any additional items are charged extra!

If they try haggle about it offer them sole use of the van which they can fill up to the back doors if required at Full Standard Rate of ££££.

As for "your going there anyway" tell them to try send 3 boxes through Royal Mail and only pay for 1 because they are going there anyway! 

Any additional collection or delivery location was always charged extra to cover time and fuel if it wasn't disclosed when making the original booking.

Remember, chances are with ebay stuff you'll never get another booking again from at least 95% of these people.

Don't let these people take the pee out of you.   Your doing this to make money!

Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd

10314

Sameday work then its for mileage from A to B as long as it fits into the van they've booked....as they're paying for the use of your van to be a dedicated vehicle then whether its an envelope or a pallet the cost is the cost.

Ebay work is a different kettle of fish cos they're not paying for a dedicated driver, they're paying for space on your van...and to get it to em you've worked out how much you can fit on to your van from what they've told you its dims and weight are, and worked out your route accordingly.
If they've added more on, then you may have to take something else off, therefore making it an unprofitable route, or a route you can no longer fulfill...
Two completely different types of Business

GH Transport Scotland

5
Original Poster

Thanks for all the replies guys. 


Really the problem is Ebay, auction etc work and as soon as I make enough elsewhere not to do it I will be ceasing to do so, but until then I guess I will just have to deal with the headache.

I don't plan to become overly strict but if it gets to the point that i have to cancel stuff then they will either be paying for my loss or not getting the extra stuff simple as. 

Ecosse Logistics (Lanark)

107

I had that the other weekend there, from Glasgow to London, Customer insisted all parcels would fit on my SWB Transit.... they didnt and I had to bring in another van along side my own.

021 SAMEDAY

3691

Unfortunately that is the problem with a SWB - half the jobs you get offered will go in a SLV ( Berlingo or even an Estate Car) and for the rest you could justify a 3500 LWB which costs little more to run than the SWB.

Nottingham & Derby Couriers

3179

We don't bother with SWB vans.
Sometimes a customer will ask have you got a SWB van but this is rare.
When a new courier calls and asks for some advice on vans i always say personally would get the biggest small van and the biggest big van i could afford.

RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD.

2848

we have a Bipper and I know 2 other couriers with same.  great little van . depends on what your customers require and often the little Bipper suits the task adequately. 

One needs to find a niche and source work accordingly but the 2 mentioned are doing ok with just one van!

PTC Sameday

540

I've got an opposite situation tomorrow. Delivering to Exeter in my Transit Jumbo and the load is in the cab! Apparently it was supposed to be a Transit Connect job but when the customer's office girl rang to book, she asked for a Transit. So I'm going all the way there empty and, unless I get backload, all the way back empty too! 

Smart Services

17

Hi, From experience,  I now state that additional items maybe charged for should a customer not let us know before hand.

 Sometimes you get the odd genuine customer who asks politely, and even offers to pay more, in this instance I usually say its ok, but yes i agree there are people out there who expect 5 items for the price of 10 !

The large couriers and royal mail wouldnt do it so why should we just becuase we are going there!

We also have the same problems when quoting on removals online, the odd couple of boxes, no probs, but on several occasions using other sites, you turn up having quoted for 1 van load, and they have two?! And then you have the embarrassment of negotiating with the customer, as they haven't listed there items correctly, and dont want to pay any more money!?

Some people just expect evrything for nothing!

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