24 hour service

Is there much call for this?

What's a typical night time rate? (Dangerous question!) Is it a higher pplm, or standard rate plus a haulmeselfoutofbed charge?

It all depends on what you have agreed with your customer

We have agreed with 3 of ours, at no extra cost, to provide a 24/7 service. It is all signed and agreed, and we get called, during the night, on average once or twice every week. The nature of their work, means that if something breaks down it needs fixing fast, and that can happen at any time, often necessitating a run overseas.

Sorry I can't answer your question as I am not aware of any night rates.

If we get one off enquiries, after normal hours, I just quote them what I want, and they can take it or leave it.

Hmmm... Out of hours, you may well have opened a can of worms

I know of those that charge an extra 50%, and those that charge 25% and those that charge nothing.

I do know that the roads are clearer, so getting from A to B won't take as long AND

If you are offering a 24hour service then your customer won't expect a haulmeselfoutofbed charge cos you won't be in bed, you'll be in your office

It very much depends on what your local competition do, and what you feel about the subject

Morning, I can only offer an opinion as a subcontactor. I find it doesnt make any difference what time or what day it is the rates seem to be the same for an owner driver. If I have quoted a higher rate because I think it warrants it I wont normally get the job as obviously someone else has quoted a normal rate for it. The transport industry has always been different to other trades where it is set in stone that out of hours jobs are charged at a higher rate. Because of that there will obviously always be some that charge and some that dont. Like Rob says, I suppose it depends on your competition around you. Is there such a thing as out of hours in the transport industry? I am just asking the question, not saying I believe there is not!

Back in the day, out of hours was how I made my money, taking IT parts from Watford to all corners of the country for 75pplm and 100pplm at weekends. But I don't think there's much of that kind of work any more. The firm I sub for now doesn't pay anything extra for out of hours on a weekday but does for weekends. But they already pay very decent rates anyway (just wish they had more work). Certainly doesn't seem as if the jobs on Courier Exchange command a premium for being out of hours or weekend.

I took a call on Saturday from someone who wanted to move a spare part from wales to the midlands, before I had chance to calculate the price, he stated the price didn't matter, he just wanted to know if I could get a courier out to him and get it delivered within the same day!

At this point, I could have probably made up any price, but I quoted him the going rate anyway and got a courier to him within the hour. Job done and hopefully a customer that will use us again.

There seems to be a lot of companies out there who claim to offer 24/7 service, but don't answer their phones after 6pm or weekends. However, before considering manning your phone evenings/weekends, be prepared for 9 out of 10 calls to be eBay customers, who are just thinking about buying something and want a price for delivery first.

Or possibly another option is to offer out of hours providing its per booked.

It's not often I get out of hours jobs (unless they are pre booked by account customers), however last week was quite unusual and we got 3 over night long runs booked after 9pm. As has been said often the price is irreverent as you are likely the first to answer the phone, however I don't charge extra to account customers and only a tad extra to non account. Its far easier to get around the country at night so in many ways it should be classed as a good job. At night the rate you should command should be one that doesn't need a back load to make it profitable (that said any time day or night shouldn't require subsidising)

I don't advertise 24/7 but will more often than not answer the phone

RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD. said:

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It all depends on what you have agreed with your customer

We have agreed with 3 of ours, at no extra cost, to provide a 24/7 service. It is all signed and agreed, and we get called, during the night, on average once or twice every week. The nature of their work, means that if something breaks down it needs fixing fast, and that can happen at any time, often necessitating a run overseas.

Sorry I can't answer your question as I am not aware of any night rates.

If we get one off enquiries, after normal hours, I just quote them what I want, and they can take it or leave it.

If they are ringing out of hours then 9 times out of 10 they will be desperate so will pay if you don't get TOO greedy IMO.

If they are ringing out of hours then 9 times out of 10 they will be desperate so will pay if you don't get TOO greedy IMO.

Blockquote

Had a 2.30am call this morning Lost keys needed a spare set taking 60 miles.

Gave our price, and he actually said I am ringing round for best prices.

He obviously couldn't get anyone else to answer their phones :) as he called back 20 mins later and asked us to do it!

RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD. said:

Had a 2.30am call this morning Lost keys needed a spare set taking 60 miles.

Gave our price, and he actually said I am ringing round for best prices.

He obviously couldn't get anyone else to answer their phones :) as he called back 20 mins later and asked us to do it!

I have had a couple like that, I find it hard to believe that you can quote someone a 'normal rate' and then they think they can shop around for prices in the middle of the night!

If they can shop around at that time of night then the very best of luck to them!