Backloading

On Friday I traveled down to Dover but came back empty even after posting on several sites and ringing ahead. On Saturday I came back from Bounemouth empty again after posting and ringing ahead. Monday all the way from Cornwall again after postong ringing ahead and stopping at Plymouth, Falmouth, Exeter and Bristol to go through Yell. Com on my phone a ring at least a dozen places to see if they had anything that I could backload. NOTHING.

How can we cut down on wasted empty miles and I mean hundreds of empty miles and lost profits. I know its all part of the job and so on, but we must find away there has to be away.

How can we cut down on wasted empty miles and I mean hundreds of empty miles and lost profits.

You cant !

Too many at it trying to scratch a living I am afraid.

Same as Taxis.

Far too many chasing what few jobs are about.

Hi Richard.. You should charge your customer accordingly to compansate for this eventuallity and not low prices to get the job.. Yes it would be nice to have a backload to cover costs, but as your well aware it never happens.

Spot on Gary!

Your A to B should be giving you enough for the return NOT to be a neccesity

Granted it must be fustrating as there MUST be a load partly back you'd have thought SOMEWHERE but it is that time of year, so Courier Companys are going to look after their own first and foremost

The Bournemouth Saturday doesn't surprise me purely cos its Saturday, so less people looking at who is where , and to get a load Monday morning out of Cornwall?

Maybe you're not a member of the yellow lot?

Or maybe it's just wrong place at wrong time

RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD. said:

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Spot on Gary!

But as your well aware Alan when we say customer that means business client and not eBay customer, their is a huge difference..

Wheres your business, as your profile states Doncaster but your website says Cumbria?

Try promp trnsport next time... Very good friendly people who will keep your number & call you.. There's a free tip.. they are based in Bristol

Backloads are a very occasional bonus, not the norm!

Scott.

@ Gas Motorcycles Couriers. I am based at Doncaster for the momemnt but moving business up to cmbria at end of April. So my web site has been set up with that in mind but my moblie phone keeps me in touch wherever I am, just wont someone to ring it now and again lol.

Empty miles eat into profit, not take it all way so yes I charge enough to get there and back with a few quid letf over. But if I had a back load then more profit. I was watching my profit go every empty mile.

Just asking.. But what do you charge customers pm

The reason I ask is I can go all over the country and still make a profit and a backload is a bonus but dont rely on it, I think your charging to low, but your local rate may be a tad to high? Especially with competition

Back loads are a bonus but i've never relied on them

When running a business it is wise to calculated your margins, Ive heard about an seen business's startup and not last because they havent done there homework, theyve charged low and bingo theyre gone, which is a good thing because these people drive the prices down, and we dont want low prices, and judging by some of the comments we all have something in common, we are not selling ourselves low.. But having said that it depends on what kind of clientele you have as well..

It would be nice to receive the proper rate for the job, but in the real world you take what crumbs you can get. Back loads are neccesary.

If you NEED a "backload" then you clearly aren't charging enough on the "front load"

If you take a punt then you can't be surprised if it doesn't always come off

I understand that some take any job they can cos they're in a bad area, and then hope the network can keep them going... And i applaud those that can make this work, but it is a gamble, and this industry is hard enough so for me, each and every job has to be worth doing

TLC Couriers said:

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It would be nice to receive the proper rate for the job, but in the real world you take what crumbs you can get. Back loads are neccesary.

Bill your not doing to bad.. As speed says he applauds those that can make it work, and I think you have got it right.

We are a relatively new business and have to rely on subcontract work. Rates are still at rock bottom.

@tlc subby rates have been rock bottom for over 10 years. i can make subby work pay if there was enough of it around there isnt at the moment im speaking nationally as well as locally to me. hence im usually doing 4 night away in a truck atm (its fairly steady money) and trying to pick up van work when ive been stood down or haven't had any bookings. the down side is alot of people are setting up and unfortunately wont last long due to many companies using nextday networks.

As long as you make sure you can get from a to b om the subby rate given and make a small profit then you should be ok but dont fall into the trap of relying on return loads to make you profit a return is always bonus never a to be rellied on