Courier Business Stuff

I don’t see how you can complain that they all look similar. If everyone was to stop using ‘Network’ invoices and starts using Quickbooks you’d have the same situation.

Agreed that it’s a total ballache having the same company issuing two different invoices, pure stupidity really. If they’re going to send their own invoice then why raise the ‘Network’ invoice to start with? It’s easy to avoid the double payment problem though – just match the invoice against jour job reference or purchase order when the invoice comes in. You can only pay for each jon once, so the second invoice goes in the shredder.

I’m not sure what the “not technically legal” refers to, apart from the absence of correct business names on some of them. That’s just as common with companies’ own invoices though.
 

Posted under Accounting Systems, Courier and Freight Exchanges, Courier Basics, Courier Financial Issues

Paul, do you mean that the driver knew the weight of the goods but loaded anyway?

I think you’ve got your answer right there then. Unless (and I’m not actually suggesting that you would do this) you and the subcontractor mutually decided to ‘turn a blind eye’ to the fact that he would be a few kg over, or if you misled the subcontractor about the weight, then it’s entirely his fault and the costs are legally and morally his responsibility.
 

Posted under Legal Issues, Vans

They’re putting up all their rates for calling 08xx numbers.

New call charges for calling 0870/0845 etc http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/services/uk/08/

Posted under Mobile Phones

someone wrote:The only people to object to sign writing are other couriers you sub from when they are paranoid or terrified your going to try n nick their customers

As I’ve said before when this topic is raised, I’ve always had sign written vans.
1) Its my/our business and I’ll promote it as I want.
2) More professional appearence, especially when you/your driver wears a matching uniform
3) Less hassel and more leniency from Police, Traffic Warden & Security Guards when tipping/parked on double yellows etc!

Do a search for the last time this came up and the majority went WITH the sign writing!

1) I think the only people that notice are other couriers
2) Only your own customer would notice anyway and just the uniform would create the same impression, as would a clean white shirt, a tie (clip-on for H&S reasons ), polished boots and just ‘clean’ overalls.
3) I agree 100%. How about ‘generic’ signwriting though? Express Sameday Courier – no logos, no phone numbers. That way you don’t get the bad driving complaints or the fake insurance claims either.

I don’t care much either way myself. Given the choice of a plain van or a company liveried van for some jobs the plain van might influence the choice under certain circumstances. I know that many other companies are strongly against their subcontractors having liveried vans though.

Posted under Courier Basics, Vans

Small vans: Fiesta, Astra, Combo, Berlingo, Connect, Caddy.

LWB Connect is just about a Midi van, Dispatch/Scudo is a Midi, Vito is borderline Midi/Transit, Traffic is borderline Transit/Midi.

If you’ve got a van smaller than a Berlingo (Fiesta/Astra) then check what the goods are before putting your bid in.

Posted under Courier Basics, Vans

When you join the courier ’Network’ do the ‘Network’ give you any advice on invoicing procedures, dealing with other members, supplying PODs etc? Is there a simple ‘how to be a ‘Network’er’ page somewhere, or a standard ‘instruction’ email?

If not then maybe we could come up with something for new members to let them know how to get the best out of the ‘Network’ and how to operate to our unwritten ‘standards’. Perhaps that would stop some of the recurring problems?

Just a thought. Any comments?

Posted under Courier and Freight Exchanges, Courier Basics

We’ve just been threatened with legal action by these people www.asapsameday.com because our website includes the phrase “QUICK RESPONSE COLLECTION AND ASAP SAME-DAY DELIVERY “.

I’ve decided to follow their example, so any of you with the word ‘Anywhere’ on your websites had better remove it straight away.

Posted under Uncategorized

While we’re on this subject can I point out to all our suppliers that in future we will only accept invoices printed on mauve-tinted 100gsm laid paper and delivered by carrier pigeon.

With up to TWO supplier invoices to handle a day we really don’t see why we should accept invoices delivered in any other fashion.

Oh and you can stick your £40 late payment charges where the sun doesn’t reach because in our opinion a message on a chat page is service of our notice to you that this is how we require our invoices delivered. Despite this it goes without saying that delivery of invoices by similar means is unacceptable.

Posted under Courier and Freight Exchanges, Courier Basics, Courier Financial Issues, Late Payment