Lets all start digging a hole for ourselves shall we?

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Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd

10314
Original Poster

Seems to me the ability to drive is all some vendors are interested in, indeed, a growing number of end users don’t seem to know or even care whether the person transporting their goods has the relevant insurance, goods in transit cover, or even a driving license.

Not sure if you saw in the news today about a driver pulled up without a license or insurance? He’s been driving around like this for the last 40years!!!!

Sadly I don’t think he’s alone.

Isn’t it up to us all to check, rather than take it for granted?

Is it true vendors and end users don’t care, or is it more likely that they assume that the drivers have the relevant documentation and only when things go wrong do we discover that assumption may be misplaced? I have to say though, that you have to ask yourself whether a company that charges 80pplm can be expected to have nice, clean, up to date vans, with English speaking drivers, all with relevant insurance in place? Yes its true, a Courier Company, and no not one of the Multi Nationals, charging 80pplm, around the same price Companies were charging 15 years ago.

Are they really taking a nominal 5-10% cut and relying on volume, or is it more likely that it is again the poor driver who is expected to take the hit?

As an end user can you really be surprised if your package doesn’t get there when you expect it to at rates as low as this?

For a Courier Company to quote rates this low...an urgent must go straight there no messing about kind of urgent, not a backload, not because of competition from elsewhere....what damage does this kind of idiotic pricing policy have on our industry?

It sets a precedent, and not a good one

I will never get involved in a price war, because I believe that what most of us lot offer is more than just about “how much is it from A to B”. There will always be those that care about little else, and there are Companies around for them, but come on...80pplm...really?

RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD.

2848

Well said Rob

I will add though that the blame lies solely on the 'numptie' owner driver who works for these clowns and then moans about how much they get paid against how much the vendor makes! It is of no concern what profit the vendor makes, the deal is done between the 2 parties, If Owner drivers were more realistic and refused to work for a pittance things would have to change!

As for insurance, the only way is to rely on the likes of Shed5 who do actually check on their members, giving anyone selling on a job, some sort of security.

I have said before that their are differing 'tiers' of service, and I for one only get involved in the 'Urgent' side of things, my customers do not like their goods mixed with others, and pay for that service, and rightly expect a delivery being concluded in the fastest possible time.

I get sick of all the calls [especially from 'joe soap'] asking for a price, and then to hear them clearly have a shock that a delivery costs more than their alloy wheels they bought on E bay!

GD EXPRESS

1152

I totally agree with all the above comments. Especially as most of us have paid an & leg to be fully insured for the work we do & lose out to those that dont have the necessary insurances in place.

Shed5 has the right idea insisting on seeing up to date GIT, giving those of us on there the piece of mind when dealing with other members. Personally I have no problem showing my GIT, PL & H&R so others can see i'm above board. Maybe thats the way forward on here or at least that option so vendor's can see whos got what before subbing work out.

MK BIKES

2821

RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD. said:


As for insurance, the only way is to rely on the likes of Shed5 who do actually check on their members, giving anyone selling on a job, some sort of security.

Its only GIT thats being checked, you can get it for £150 per annum then drive around in your van insured as a painter & decorator at half the cost of H&R a saving of around £500 per year.

I believe you should have to show H&R and GIT (not to mention PL for you personally) for EVERY vechicle service you offer on trade sites

GD EXPRESS

1152

I believe you should have to show H&R and GIT (not to mention PL for you personally) for EVERY vechicle service you offer on trade sites

I totally agree Tony.

LwsExpress transport solutions

1161

Courier Guru said:


RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD. said:


As for insurance, the only way is to rely on the likes of Shed5 who do actually check on their members, giving anyone selling on a job, some sort of security.

Its only GIT thats being checked, you can get it for £150 per annum then drive around in your van insured as a painter & decorator at half the cost of H&R a saving of around £500 per year.

I believe you should have to show H&R and GIT (not to mention PL for you personally) for EVERY vechicle service you offer on trade sites

Why, if a customer asks me for mine I just email them copies, so why is it so important to you?

MK BIKES

2821

Because folk running around without the correct insurances creates an unfair playing field not to mention bring the while industry in to disrepute, there are a hell of a lot of couriers offering a motorbike service, a few openly admit its a service that only get used less than a dozen times each year, the difference between H&R and a SDP is approx £500 per annum, divide this by 10 is an extra cost per job of about £50 in insurances, not worth having.

The police often have road stops in London, checking the insurances of all bikes especially the ones that appear to be working on them, I've witnessed a dozen or so bikes at one of these road stops, maybe its something they should consider for vans & cars.

AJM sameday Couriers

3440

Courier Guru said:


Because folk running around without the correct insurances creates an unfair playing field not to mention bring the while industry in to disrepute, there are a hell of a lot of couriers offering a motorbike service, a few openly admit its a service that only get used less than a dozen times each year, the difference between H&R and a SDP is approx £500 per annum, divide this by 10 is an extra cost per job of about £50 in insurances, not worth having.

The police often have road stops in London, checking the insurances of all bikes especially the ones that appear to be working on them, I've witnessed a dozen or so bikes at one of these road stops, maybe its something they should consider for vans & cars.

Get off your high horse and please get a life, take an holiday I have had four this year I'm well chilled you need to do the same your so boring, there is more to life than work and preaching about insurance.

MK BIKES

2821

On the money you saved on insurance?

AJM sameday Couriers

3440

Courier Guru said:


On the money you saved on insurance?

Wrong again mr assumer

RGM Courier Services

1737

AJM sameday Couriers said:


Courier Guru said:


On the moneiy you saved on insurance?

Wrong again mr assumer

If you uploaded it people wouldn't have to assume. What on earth is the big deal about spending 2 minutes to upload it anyway?

Gas Motorcycle Couriers

3617

I agree on Robs point totally and RLT's... I personally ask for documents to cover my butt and the customers goods as I dont want an unlicensed, uninsured and unroadworthy vehicle operating on behalf of, and if they cannot provide then they do not get the work its as simple as that... Mind you even if they tick all the right boxes it still doesnt mean they can do the job correctly though.. But thats another storey

Gas Motorcycle Couriers

3617

Oh and welcome back Rob..

Swiftukcouriers

1086

Yer I agree with you about the insurance side of things cause since ive added my git its not made a difference in work ive got...

AJM sameday Couriers

3440

RGM Courier Services said:


AJM sameday Couriers said:


Courier Guru said:


On the moneiy you saved on insurance?

Wrong again mr assumer

If you uploaded it people wouldn't have to assume. What on earth is the big deal about spending 2 minutes to upload it anyway?

Bob, I don't take any work of here, I don't do any sameday work anymore, so I don't feel the need to upload it.

MK BIKES

2821

Gas Motorcycle Couriers said:


I agree on Robs point totally and RLT's... I personally ask for documents to cover my butt and the customers goods as I dont want an unlicensed, uninsured and unroadworthy vehicle operating on behalf of, and if they cannot provide then they do not get the work its as simple as that...

Thank you Gary ;-)

LwsExpress transport solutions

1161

AJM sameday Couriers said:


Courier Guru said:


Because folk running around without the correct insurances creates an unfair playing field not to mention bring the while industry in to disrepute, there are a hell of a lot of couriers offering a motorbike service, a few openly admit its a service that only get used less than a dozen times each year, the difference between H&R and a SDP is approx £500 per annum, divide this by 10 is an extra cost per job of about £50 in insurances, not worth having.

The police often have road stops in London, checking the insurances of all bikes especially the ones that appear to be working on them, I've witnessed a dozen or so bikes at one of these road stops, maybe its something they should consider for vans & cars.

Get off your high horse and please get a life, take an holiday I have had four this year I'm well chilled you need to do the same your so boring, there is more to life than work and preaching about insurance.

Spot on Gary, Tony must be getting old as he never used to be like this :-)

LwsExpress transport solutions

1161

AJM sameday Couriers said:


RGM Courier Services said:


AJM sameday Couriers said:


Courier Guru said:


On the moneiy you saved on insurance?

Wrong again mr assumer

If you uploaded it people wouldn't have to assume. What on earth is the big deal about spending 2 minutes to upload it anyway?

Bob, I don't take any work of here, I don't do any sameday work anymore, so I don't feel the need to upload it.

I agree :-)

SMH

1863

AJM sameday Couriers said:


RGM Courier Services said:


AJM sameday Couriers said:


Courier Guru said:


On the moneiy you saved on insurance?

Wrong again mr assumer

If you uploaded it people wouldn't have to assume. What on earth is the big deal about spending 2 minutes to upload it anyway?

Bob, I don't take any work of here, I don't do any sameday work anymore, so I don't feel the need to upload it.

Cash?

PB Express

1049

I dont know where you lot are coming from with this unfair playing field as regards to insurance

Insurance is a fraction of penny per mile it really doesnt make that much difference

On a £1500 policy doing 60000 miles per year your insurance cost per mile is a meagre .025 per mile

Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd

10314
Original Poster

Anyone who expects a courier to move for anything less than 70-75pplm can't be surprised when the driver does not have the relevant insurance in place. That's why it isn't a level playing field. Rates of 40, 45, 50 or 60pplm cannot be sustained by anyone who has done what the majority of us do, which is ensuring we have a reliable, and insured van, with GIT, driven by someone who can speak English, doesn't rely solely on a satnav to get anywhere, and has done their homework.

We have 2 issues here, those that are offering sameday couriers to endusers at 80pplm and therefore expecting the drivers to move for peanuts, and those that may well be charging a more realsitic rate to their customers, but who are NOT passing that on to the drivers... I. E. They're taking a larger slice than they should.

As Alan at RLT says though, if drivers continue to offer their services at low rates, then Courier Companies will continue to let them.

SMH

1863

It is if its a return load?

Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd

10314
Original Poster

Is there such a thing?

Do any of us offer our customers a return load price?

I suspect the answer from most will be no, it is merely a vendor again trying to fleece the driver.

If a driver just happens to be going back the same way as a job appearing on an exchange site, i can understand said driver quoting lower than normal... But are we really saying all these low rates are drivers going back empty?

At some point someone's got to be being paid the right rate to go somewhere, in order to be able to be going back empty from in the 1st place.

PB Express

1049

Rob the cost of insurance really doesn't make a difference to pricing at .025p a mile it's practically irrelevant

I'm not saying i condone it, but it really isn't going to make a quote any cheaper is it.

Esi Logistics

261

14 years ago i was getting 62pplm with diesel at about 75ppl subbing for a company in kent. This was before all the exchange sites came along. In them days you hoped for the long jobs, you set off unloaded and got back as soon as you could to get the next job. So if the rates had risen to coincide with todays running costs and todays cost of living then with the exchange sites we would be getting a proper rate to start off with and the bonus of getting hotshots back as well would be a great bonus. The courier companies could take more work on and get it covered better. Sadly the rates have not got any better so to make it work we have to work even harder and without getting loads back then its not sustainable. Its ok for people to say you shouldnt run at lower rates but if your quoting higher you can end up sitting on your arse all week. So we end up running around and waiting around for onward loads to try and make it work. Some but not all companies are using the sites to screw down the courier as much as possible because they know the position we are in and know they will quite often find someone to do it for peanuts. I have quoted what i think to be a fair but decent rate on jobs and the lower quotes they tell me they have can be shocking. And dont get me started on the backload scenario. Its quite simple really, if someone has a load that will not fill my van and is very flexable with collection and delivery so i can co load it then that can demand a competative rate but if any job is load, go and deliver then it should make no difference where the courier wants to end up, the company will be charging a sameday rate so should not expect the courier to do it for anything less than a sameday rate.

PW Courier Services

1302

There should be no such thing as a back-load rate, courier companies don't say to their customers i can do this at a back-load rate no way do they. They the courier companies are just screwing owner drivers so that they can make as money out of the job as possible

Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd

10314
Original Poster

But Paul, if i don't bother getting the relevant insurance and just use my car, am i not saving around £1500-2500 by not getting courier insurance? Also by not getting a van, even a half decent 2nd hand one im going to be looking at £3-3500.

So i've already saved £4500-6000, allowing me to undercut those that do things properly.

The fact that my car will blow up within the next 6months and i'll no longer be able to work as a courier is neither here nor there, cos they'll be another one to fill my spot soon as

This is what's happening, and it's being allowed to happen, and it's not right

Esi Logistics

261

Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd said:


But Paul, if i don't bother getting the relevant insurance and just use my car, am i not saving around £1500-2500 by not getting courier insurance? Also by not getting a van, even a half decent 2nd hand one im going to be looking at £3-3500.

So i've already saved £4500-6000, allowing me to undercut those that do things properly.

The fact that my car will blow up within the next 6months and i'll no longer be able to work as a courier is neither here nor there, cos they'll be another one to fill my spot soon as

This is what's happening, and it's being allowed to happen, and it's not right

I agree Rob, correct me if im wrong but is there anything stopping a company subscribing to a exchange site and registering a fleet of lets say 2 vehicles all with correct insurances but actually maybe operating more vans or cars without the proper insurance. How would anyone know they are doing this. Its possible they cannot do this but its just a thought.

Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd

10314
Original Poster

You don't actually need any vans at all to be a courier company. You can trade from your shed using exchange sites to cover ALL your work, but thats another story altogether!

To answer your question, there is nothing stopping you subscribing to a site that is only interested in you uploading a copy of one GIT insurance irrespective of how many vehicles you actually have no, but as admin keep pointing out, its up to you to make the additional checks if you can be bothered. Sadly most don't, due to having little to no time to do so...

Which is why it would be nice to see an exchange site that can be bothered, and does have the time.

Esi Logistics

261

Yes it would certainly be a good thing as im sure there are many who operate this way. If you operate just the one vehicle then you obviously have to show correct insurances therefore putting you in competition with those that dont.

Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd

10314
Original Poster

For me its more about good practise than anything else. If you can be bothered to be insured properly, have got a decent uptodate, well cared for van, can speak the lingo, and do have at least some idea of the Geography of the UK without having to stick the satnav on as soon as you move, then i can be bothered to give you any additonal work i may have, and at a rate we can both work with.

I may be in the minority, but that doesn't make me wrong

Phax

2250

I dont see anything changing anytime soon. Having to work for a lower rate is sometimes needed, it hurts but its a fact of life. You cant say to banks, utility companies etc 'oh I did not earn much this month because nobody would pay me £1pplm so you are not getting paid. If you are one of the 'established' couriers and the phone never stops ringing then great, but till you have done a couple of years in a difficult economy then if you can survive at lower rates then thats what people will do. I have all the relevant requirements to do the job and do some work for less than the accepted rate. Any market will always have the few that take the pee and get away with it.

Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd

10314
Original Poster

The problem with feeling obliged to "do some work for less than the accepted rate" is it becomes exactly what you dont want it to be...

It becomes the accepted rate.

If no one did it, then no one could take the pee. If you do run at pee taking rates then you still won't have any money for the banks, utility companies etc. So i can't see the difference.

SMH

1863

Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd said:


Is there such a thing?

Do any of us offer our customers a return load price?

I suspect the answer from most will be no, it is merely a vendor again trying to fleece the driver.

If a driver just happens to be going back the same way as a job appearing on an exchange site, i can understand said driver quoting lower than normal... But are we really saying all these low rates are drivers going back empty?

At some point someone's got to be being paid the right rate to go somewhere, in order to be able to be going back empty from in the 1st place.

We do many a return for our customers, some are even free of charge, ive just got back from doing our daily run to reading and a 40% return for the one customer

Over a week i bet we do around 15 returns

Swift Couriers Haverhill

4050

If the exchange sites took a leaf out of Royal Mails Requirements for same day deliveries there would be no qualms about who had the correct insurances. The list as follows: H&R Insurance £20.000 GIT minimum £2 Million PL Passport, driving license Photo and paperwork 4 photos of van, front, back and sides 2 utility bills This way everybody would be confident in subbing out work if all these documents were uploaded on sites for everyone to look at, plus maybe a ID badge from the site as they will know everything is in place.

AJM sameday Couriers

3440

Swift Couriers said:


If the exchange sites took a leaf out of Royal Mails Requirements for same day deliveries there would be no qualms about who had the correct insurances. The list as follows: H&R Insurance £20.000 GIT minimum £2 Million PL Passport, driving license Photo and paperwork 4 photos of van, front, back and sides 2 utility bills This way everybody would be confident in subbing out work if all these documents were uploaded on sites for everyone to look at, plus maybe a ID badge from the site as they will know everything is in place.

You forgot to say they pay crap money, so who would go through all this rigmarole for jack sh#t, come on man get with it.

Swift Couriers Haverhill

4050

They do but if your getting a backload for 80pplm as that's all I use them for and not same day deliveries at that rate it makes sense instead of coming back empty.

AJM sameday Couriers

3440

Swift Couriers said:


They do but if your getting a backload for 80pplm as that's all I use them for and not same day deliveries at that rate it makes sense instead of coming back empty.

Yes, that's fare enough.

021 SAMEDAY

3691

Swift Couriers said:


plus maybe a ID badge from the site

That is a joke - I have had Driver's Passports rejected when collecting Airfreight Goods, but they will accept an ID Badge made up on our computer.

RGM Courier Services

1737

Swift Couriers said:


They do but if your getting a backload for 80pplm as that's all I use them for and not same day deliveries at that rate it makes sense instead of coming back empty.

Same here. They are good for backloads. The std rate is 50pplm from royal mail but you can negotiate higher rates..

Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd

10314
Original Poster

SMH said:


Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd said:


Is there such a thing?

Do any of us offer our customers a return load price?

I suspect the answer from most will be no, it is merely a vendor again trying to fleece the driver.

If a driver just happens to be going back the same way as a job appearing on an exchange site, i can understand said driver quoting lower than normal... But are we really saying all these low rates are drivers going back empty?

At some point someone's got to be being paid the right rate to go somewhere, in order to be able to be going back empty from in the 1st place.

We do many a return for our customers, some are even free of charge, ive just got back from doing our daily run to reading and a 40% return for the one customer

Over a week i bet we do around 15 returns

I think we're confusing two different things here.

I'm not talking about doing a wait and return for a customer, that's a different thing altogether. I'm referring to a driver returning home from doing a delivery and offering a reduced rate as he is going back home empty. For said driver to offer a reduced rate is one thing, for the vendor to offer his customer a reduced rate because of it is, i would suggest, rather unlikely.

I understand those that offer low quotes to ensure they get the load to take them home, that's the whole point of mtvan (the clue being in the name), but too many vendors expect drivers to do outbound jobs at backload prices, and that's my gripe. As i said before, in order to get a return load, you have to be going somewhere at a reasonable rate first. All too often nowadays it seems more and more are taking jobs on, on the hope that they'll get something to bring them back. That used to be called the "icing on the cake". Now it seems its becoming a need.

Why? Because the rates on offer are so low you NEED something to bring you back.

It's like rolling the dice. Thats not the way to run a business.

Safe Transit ltd

234

SDP... H&R? I'm new to this business so can someone please explain what these are? I have to say though I agree that the couriers charging low rates are ruining the business.

Scott Reid

1029

Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd said:


SMH said:


Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd said:


Is there such a thing?

Do any of us offer our customers a return load price?

I suspect the answer from most will be no, it is merely a vendor again trying to fleece the driver.

If a driver just happens to be going back the same way as a job appearing on an exchange site, i can understand said driver quoting lower than normal... But are we really saying all these low rates are drivers going back empty?

At some point someone's got to be being paid the right rate to go somewhere, in order to be able to be going back empty from in the 1st place.

We do many a return for our customers, some are even free of charge, ive just got back from doing our daily run to reading and a 40% return for the one customer

Over a week i bet we do around 15 returns

I think we're confusing two different things here.

I'm not talking about doing a wait and return for a customer, that's a different thing altogether. I'm referring to a driver returning home from doing a delivery and offering a reduced rate as he is going back home empty. For said driver to offer a reduced rate is one thing, for the vendor to offer his customer a reduced rate because of it is, i would suggest, rather unlikely.

I understand those that offer low quotes to ensure they get the load to take them home, that's the whole point of mtvan (the clue being in the name), but too many vendors expect drivers to do outbound jobs at backload prices, and that's my gripe. As i said before, in order to get a return load, you have to be going somewhere at a reasonable rate first. All too often nowadays it seems more and more are taking jobs on, on the hope that they'll get something to bring them back. That used to be called the "icing on the cake". Now it seems its becoming a need.

Why? Because the rates on offer are so low you NEED something to bring you back.

It's like rolling the dice. Thats not the way to run a business.

Well said!

Swiftukcouriers

1086

The debate about whos to blame for low rates will never be settled. As sure theres courier companies who are under paying drivers and drivers offering stupid rates properly ones who aint got the docs and less overheads. In my opinion the bidding system stinks. Maybe courier companies offering work should put there price willing to pay (exposing the bandits who want jobs covered at silly money) too get jobs covered for type of vehicle needed. And then only use people who have correct docs right vehicle. . And prove to offer reliable and good sevice.. so way I look at it drivers who have all correct docz decent vehicle and show to be responiable should be given the work over a silly low rate and the chance to prove themselves. I do think it goes both ways unless the doc check and vehicle checks are more tougher there will always be room for people doing jobs cheaply and getting jobs done cheaply.. it would be great to see more professional people on both sides on these sites.

RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD.

2848

When will people realise that the cause of so called low rates, is due to owner drivers actually doing work at unsustainable prices?

One cannot blame a company maximising their profits, it is what business success is about. If only people refused to work for silly rates the prices offered would then have to go up!

This is NOT rocket science!

LwsExpress transport solutions

1161

RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD. said:


When will people realise that the cause of so called low rates, is due to owner drivers actually doing work at unsustainable prices?

One cannot blame a company maximising their profits, it is what business success is about. If only people refused to work for silly rates the prices offered would then have to go up!

This is NOT rocket science!

Same old same old, while basically I agree with you Alan,But I know of quite a few drivers who work for £1.20-£1.30 -£1.50etc etc and at times take work off Courier Exchange and the likes for 70pplm - 80pplm because it suits them at the time (better earning £25 than nothing ) One tells me if he earns £140-£150 three days a week he can throw the odd less profitable day in to keep his wheels turning. On the other hand do some people not like competition? You never hear of a Tesco, Asda, or waitrose complain about Aldi or Lidl do you? And you never hear of Marks and Spencer's, Debenhams or John Lewis complain about Primark do you? There are many successful people out there who have made their fortune by cutting profits to the bone and many more making a decent living by doing the same. It always seems to me its the same old people who moan about this situation and the same old nodding dogs who tag along every time it's mentioned ( not you Alan as your attitude voiced in the past is the same as mine I think that if someone wants to run at those rates then let them, its a bit hypocritical of some to receive say £1-70 Plm from end users and then sub it out for 75-90 pplm BUT hey ho that's business I suppose.

RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD.

2848

Competition should be more than welcome Les, We have our prices which do not suit the companies wanting their stuff delivered cheap at any time of the day! If they want it URGENT and delivered professionally, that is what they get!

As stated numerous times there are differing levels of service in this industry. The term 'same day' is misleading because if it collected and delivered any time of the day, that SLA [service level agreement] has been achieved. If the items are needed to be collected and delivered in the fastest possible way that is urgent, and is priced accordingly.

All I was saying is don't moan about what vendors sell jobs on for, if it doesn't suit DON'T DO IT and whatever mark up the vendor makes is no one else's business!

Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd

10314
Original Poster

Its nothing to do with not liking competition.

The reason John Lewis or M&S don't moan about primark or Tesco moan at Lidl is they offer different quality of product to different types of customer. However, Some of what they sell is through exploiting workers from what used to be called 3rd world countries, and if you're making the comparison, then that is exactly what some courier companies are doing.

There are drivers out there moving around at rates as low as 45pplm ffs, and there are endusers paying for a premium service and unbeknown to them getting uninsured drivers on rates that put them on less than the minimum wage.

There will always be those that want cheap, aned those that supply cheap, but at what cost to those that have worked hard to build a reputation, and standard, and do it all within the law.

Having an endless stream of naive drivers continually entering the industry is not an excuse to keep taking the p*** out of them.

RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD.

2848

Without regulation though, this will always be the case

LwsExpress transport solutions

1161

There will always be those that want cheap, aned those that supply cheap, but at what cost to those that have worked hard to build a reputation, and standard, and do it all within the law.

What? We all have worked hard to build our reputation I'm sure.

With a good reputation like mine or yours why does it bother you what people are running at?

If I go in to one of my customers at £1.60 Plm do you think he is bothered that I also do £50 eBay jobs?

They know me and they know my reputation for doing their job properly so they would not dream of using Joe blogs who runs at 50 pplm as I'm sure your customers would not be interested either.

Just get on with your life and leave each to their own, you should be more worried about the end users and courier companies who are regularly gettin 2 and 3 pallet jobs covered on Shiply and Anyvan London to Glasgow or Birmingham London for £50 in fact last week Heathrow to Aberdeen 2 pallets 700kg Sameday £57 ,now as I have said before that will be the end of all the courier work sites.

Swiftukcouriers

1086

It seems the same old same old people blaming each other when.. Its down to both sides to be responsible and act professional and charge and pay a professional rate not rocket science

ProLink Logistics Ltd

636

It's all about finding the right customers.

We had one who always wanted local work doing for next to nothing because their customers scoffed at paying for short journeys. We tried to accomodate them but after a while we told them we weren't making a penny on their jobs and that was that. They weren't particularly reliant on timed/express deliveries and the like, so we weren't the right fit for them and vice versa.

On the other hand, we have customers who need a reliable, bespoke service. They ask us to pick up and deliver at specific times, store things overnight, collect cash and cheques on delivery, occasionally cancel at the last minute knowing that we'll take it on the chin because it's all about give and take... These kinds of things can't be entrusted to just anyone on Anyvan, the trust needs to be earned. In this situation, what company is going to risk things going tits-up just to save a few quid on each delivery?

The hard part is getting in there in the first place to earn their trust.

Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd

10314
Original Poster

LwsExpress transport solutions said:


There will always be those that want cheap, aned those that supply cheap, but at what cost to those that have worked hard to build a reputation, and standard, and do it all within the law.

What? We all have worked hard to build our reputation I'm sure.

With a good reputation like mine or yours why does it bother you what people are running at?

If I go in to one of my customers at £1.60 Plm do you think he is bothered that I also do £50 eBay jobs?

They know me and they know my reputation for doing their job properly so they would not dream of using Joe blogs who runs at 50 pplm as I'm sure your customers would not be interested either.

Just get on with your life and leave each to their own, you should be more worried about the end users and courier companies who are regularly gettin 2 and 3 pallet jobs covered on Shiply and Anyvan London to Glasgow or Birmingham London for £50 in fact last week Heathrow to Aberdeen 2 pallets 700kg Sameday £57 ,now as I have said before that will be the end of all the courier work sites.

Very true... I shall say no more

LwsExpress transport solutions

1161

Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd said:


LwsExpress transport solutions said:


There will always be those that want cheap, aned those that supply cheap, but at what cost to those that have worked hard to build a reputation, and standard, and do it all within the law.

What? We all have worked hard to build our reputation I'm sure.

With a good reputation like mine or yours why does it bother you what people are running at?

If I go in to one of my customers at £1.60 Plm do you think he is bothered that I also do £50 eBay jobs?

They know me and they know my reputation for doing their job properly so they would not dream of using Joe blogs who runs at 50 pplm as I'm sure your customers would not be interested either.

Just get on with your life and leave each to their own, you should be more worried about the end users and courier companies who are regularly gettin 2 and 3 pallet jobs covered on Shiply and Anyvan London to Glasgow or Birmingham London for £50 in fact last week Heathrow to Aberdeen 2 pallets 700kg Sameday £57 ,now as I have said before that will be the end of all the courier work sites.

Very true... I shall say no more

:-)

Speed Couriers Nationwide Ltd

10314
Original Poster

Nothing much changes

Andy McTighe

796

The more things change the more they stay the same. Nothing meaningful will happen unless there is full regulation like the HGV market and that isn't going to come in my lifetime.

Phax

2250

Some people dont care about insurance if they can get jobs covered at D/H's quoting 56pplm. Ooooooooooooooooo look at all that lovely profit.

AJM sameday Couriers

3440

PHAX said:


Some people dont care about insurance if they can get jobs covered at D/H's quoting 56pplm. Ooooooooooooooooo look at all that lovely profit.

56 pence is too much it's about time everybody reduced there rates now that fuel has come down in price people are so greedy.

RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD.

2848

Quite agree Gary! It is no one's business if you make 200% profit on anything you sub out! If they are happy at 55pplm GREAT! [it will have all been estimated in their business plan]

Phax

2250

I will change my Business Plan (cough) to allow for the fluctuation in the price of fuel.

Phax

2250

Bugga! Snooze and you lose, too bleedin true. Peed off I missed ya job Rob Stansted to Appleton grrrrrrrrrrrr. What a plonker.

3D Courier Services

25600

RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD. said:


Quite agree Gary! It is no one's business if you make 200% profit on anything you sub out! If they are happy at 55pplm GREAT! [it will have all been estimated in their business plan]

It's absolutely impossible to make 200% profit! It's not even possible to make 100% profit if you have outgoings.

RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD.

2848

3D Courier Services said:


RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD. said:


Quite agree Gary! It is no one's business if you make 200% profit on anything you sub out! If they are happy at 55pplm GREAT! [it will have all been estimated in their business plan]

It's absolutely impossible to make 200% profit! It's not even possible to make 100% profit if you have outgoings.

Fair play Should have said 'Mark up' NOT Profit

http://www.answers.com/Q/Howdoyougetmorethan100percentprofit_margin

Andy McTighe

796

200% mark up? Should change your name to Wonga Couriers

Phax

2250

Bugga! Snooze and you lose, too bleedin true. Peed off I missed ya job Rob Stansted to Appleton grrrrrrrrrrrr. What a plonker. I do apologise for putting this here. I was in a rush sorting another job home. Sorrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyy.

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