Bidding

Hello,

Can anyone give a heads up on successful bidding techniques or what a business needs to consider? Thanks

It'll be a combination of price and where you are in relation to the pick up

Being cheaper than anyone else is not a guarantee,

At the end of the day you are NOT going to get every job you bid for, so if you have only quoted on one job, then you need to be a little bit more patient than that.

It may well be you had the right price and distance but someone got in there before you or maybe you have no GIT insurance on your profile

Whatever the reason, there is nothing you can do except move on to the next one.

Your price is your price, sometimes it'll be right, sometimes it won't

I have bid on a few jobs on here, only a few as there seems not to be many opportunities if you only have an estate car, and have been very keen to price low to try and be competitive but not too low as to not make any profit. I have only bid on jobs that have been less than 25miles from my location and yet have not been successful in securing any work, even when it shows I was the only member to make a bid. I will keep trying as this may supplement my small customer base. Good luck

It could be the fact your using an estate car the load may have been a pallet so You would need a van to load it or it could be the vendor only uses vans and has a no car policy'

Legrys Express Ltd said:

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It could be the fact your using an estate car the load may have been a pallet so You would need a van to load it or it could be the vendor only uses vans and has a no car policy'

I only bid on car and estate car jobs, alerts are set up so I only receive car work. I have looked at small van jobs when the vendor has stated a car will do. Otherwise I do not waste peoples time bidding on work for other vehicles.

DJ Specialist Couriers said:

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even when it shows I was the only member to make a bid.

It doesn't tell you how many called/text/emailed a quote, I think there needs to be a clearer and easier way for the vendor to show how they wish to receive quotes. If they don't check quotes received online there's no point in quoting online?

I think that the best way to quote for a job is to call the vendor.

Scott Garner said:

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DJ Specialist Couriers said:

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even when it shows I was the only member to make a bid.

It doesn't tell you how many called/text/emailed a quote, I think there needs to be a clearer and easier way for the vendor to show how they wish to receive quotes. If they don't check quotes received online there's no point in quoting online?

I agree, if a person posts work online it would be good to get some kind of feedback if you bid on a job and were unsuccessful, maybe tick boxes.. I. E. to expensive, too far from pick, incorrect vehicle, its not good to be left hanging as sometimes its hours before the job shows its closed

RMD Transport Ltd said:

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I think that the best way to quote for a job is to call the vendor.

If you are quite new to the site and have less than 200 reputation points the vendors contact details are hidden.

I wasn't really on about feedback, more preventing you from wasting time quoting with the online facility when the subber wants you to call or text a quote

Scott Garner said:

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I wasn't really on about feedback, more preventing you from wasting time quoting with the online facility when the subber wants you to call or text a quote

DJ Specialist Couriers said:

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If you are quite new to the site and have less than 200 reputation points the vendors contact details are hidden.

Hmm, yes I guess that kind of ruins that for you! Best get posting and build up that rep! Although you can most likely google the vendors details?

Scott Garner said:

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I wasn't really on about feedback, more preventing you from wasting time quoting with the online facility when the subber wants you to call or text a quote

I thought that was the whole reason for having the online facility to enable to make a quote!

I have just done a yell. Com search for you in Bournemouth, also done a google search for couriers in Bournemouth checked the first 3 pages and your not on them, most peope don't lok past the 1st page, my advice would bedont worry about bidding too much but get the others in order wouldn't you say

DJ Specialist Couriers said:

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Scott Garner said:

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I wasn't really on about feedback, more preventing you from wasting time quoting with the online facility when the subber wants you to call or text a quote

I thought that was the whole reason for having the online facility to enable to make a quote!

I hear you brother! But some vendors don't want you to use that facility, as bizarre as it may seem!

Scott Garner said:

Hmm, yes I guess that kind of ruins that for you! Best get posting and build up that rep! Although you can most likely google the vendors details?

Oops, no sorry, guess you probably can't see the name of who posted it either.

DJ Specialist Couriers said:

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RMD Transport Ltd said:

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I think that the best way to quote for a job is to call the vendor.

If you are quite new to the site and have less than 200 reputation points the vendors contact details are hidden.

Contact details will be in the alert although I agree the phone number should be in the job details

Scott Garner said:

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Scott Garner said:

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I wasn't really on about feedback, more preventing you from wasting time quoting with the online facility when the subber wants you to call or text a quote

DJ Specialist Couriers said:

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If you are quite new to the site and have less than 200 reputation points the vendors contact details are hidden.

Hmm, yes I guess that kind of ruins that for you! Best get posting and build up that rep! Although you can most likely google the vendors details?

Just to be totally clear, if you're Pro, you get the Vendor details in the alerts, whatever your rep score.

And...

The only reason the Vendor phone number will not be visible to Pro's is if the Vendor specifically asks for online bids only.

Our advice is, if there's a phone number in the alert, call it.

Wouldn't it be an idea to let members know who the job was allocated to when it says "This job was allocated to an Mt van member". Just a thought!

JH Logistics said:

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Wouldn't it be an idea to let members know who the job was allocated to when it says "This job was allocated to an Mt van member". Just a thought!

Agree

I don't see the relevance of who has been given the job. It has nothing to do with anybody but the vendor and the person it was sold to

Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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I don't see the relevance of who has been given the job. It has nothing to do with anybody but the vendor and the person it was sold to

This. It is irrelevant.

Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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I don't see the relevance of who has been given the job. It has nothing to do with anybody but the vendor and the person it was sold to

Maybe some sort of feedback as to the reason you were turned down for the job rather that naming the person who got the job. If there is something I can change to make it more likely I would be successful would help.

DJ Specialist Couriers said:

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Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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I don't see the relevance of who has been given the job. It has nothing to do with anybody but the vendor and the person it was sold to

Maybe some sort of feedback as to the reason you were turned down for the job rather that naming the person who got the job. If there is something I can change to make it more likely I would be successful would help.

You're probably best off asking the vendor. I don't think those posting the work would appreciate us requiring them to give feedback on each quote received.

I understand how fustrating it can be when you're itching to get that 1st job, but as has already been said, there are many reasons a quote is unsuccesful, and to ask a vendor to tell a dozen failed "bidders" why they didn't get a job is not going to happen. As soon as a job has been sold, as a vendor you move on to the next job.

I do, when time permits, answer anyone who has texted me that " sorry already sold, thank anyway" so they can move onto the next one too, but this is not always possible.

You're expecting too much of vendors if that's what you want to happen

Many quotes i get are after its been sold, so rule of thumb is be as quick as you can when quoting

Website Admin said:

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DJ Specialist Couriers said:

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Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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I don't see the relevance of who has been given the job. It has nothing to do with anybody but the vendor and the person it was sold to

Maybe some sort of feedback as to the reason you were turned down for the job rather that naming the person who got the job. If there is something I can change to make it more likely I would be successful would help.

You're probably best off asking the vendor. I don't think those posting the work would appreciate us requiring them to give feedback on each quote received.

Don't no what the vendor can see as a quote is received, is there a accept, reject button and if so maybe a few tick boxes for reason for rejection as feedback.

Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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I understand how fustrating it can be when you're itching to get that 1st job, but as has already been said, there are many reasons a quote is unsuccesful, and to ask a vendor to tell a dozen failed "bidders" why they didn't get a job is not going to happen. As soon as a job has been sold, as a vendor you move on to the next job.

I do, when time permits, answer anyone who has texted me that " sorry already sold, thank anyway" so they can move onto the next one too, but this is not always possible.

You're expecting too much of vendors if that's what you want to happen

Many quotes i get are after its been sold, so rule of thumb is be as quick as you can when quoting

I can appreciate if you have a lot of people txt and ringing for work it would be impossible for you to give feedback, in regards to the online bidding system, reading between the lines vendors are more than likely to ignore online bids and give the work to couriers that txt or ring... Hence making the online bidding system worthless... Am I right?

I can only speak for myself, but I always prefer a call or text, and i say as such on any jobs i put on exchange sites... Purley because that puts the quotes in my face

Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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I can only speak for myself, but I always prefer a call or text, and i say as such on any jobs i put on exchange sites... Purley because that puts the quotes in my face

Now I know were I'm going wrong, I will in future ring or txt. thanks

*purely because

Cheerzz

Thats just me

Don't beat yourself up about it, like I said MANY quotes I get are after its been sold, so not always about price or anything else... Just down to not being quick enough

If in doubt why not ring, text and do the online quote, then you're covered

Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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Thats just me

Don't beat yourself up about it, like I said MANY quotes I get are after its been sold, so not always about price or anything else... Just down to not being quick enough

If in doubt why not ring, text and do the online quote, then you're covered

Thanks for your advice in future I will txt/ ring then quote online.

I always bid online and text the vendor myself. I have bid on a lot of jobs on here and not heard anything. I do have 3 regular vendors on here that phone me direct. I could do with more but ive only been going it alone for a little while and i get work nearly everyday. Some are only small jobs but you have to take what you can to keep the reputation going. I find if you ring the vendor tho, you stand a better chance of getting the work. I've also messaged vendors in my area that im available if they have work that needs doing. That can sometimes pay off, because the have your details to phone you direct.

A lot of work on here is posted on other exchange sites aswell, so it doesn't mean that it always goes to anyone on here. It is tough getting that first job, but when you do and you do the job how they want it done, it can pay off.

Ironically the software on here being better than Courier Exchange has meant that I don't think many expect to see an online bid so often don't look...

Once you get used to it i think it'll come into its own, but I still think a lot like to hear the person who's quoting. A voice can tell you a lot

Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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Ironically the software on here being better than Courier Exchange has meant that I don't think many expect to see an online bid so often don't look...

Once you get used to it i think it'll come into its own, but I still think a lot like to hear the person who's quoting. A voice can tell you a lot

It sure can.

Which is why I text

Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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I can only speak for myself, but I always prefer a call or text, and i say as such on any jobs i put on exchange sites... Purley because that puts the quotes in my face

Im with you on that one Rob, adding additional info in the comment box regards call or txt is something I do, but you have to be quick, but as speed says there could be a number of reasons, I prefer to use trusted mbrs and call direct, rather than post, some also message direct, but TBH if they are showing no Ins I wont really touch them. Just to make a point this is not the only exchange there are other exchanges as well, so the job could have been sold on another exchange.

This is the way we work:

Quoting through mtvan online (or sending a text), sends your quote directly to the courier controller.

Phoning up gets you through to someone who writes the message on a 'post it note', and at some point finds it's way to the controllers desk (often after the job is already covered). Many a time, people have lost out on jobs, because the courier controller who is usually very busy, looks at what is right in front of him first (the computer screen), before sorting through scraps of paper.

Quoting online though mtvan or text message, also creates a record of when and how much you quoted.

If you want to phone as well, that's ok. But i would recommend submitting your quote online first, so you don't miss the boat.

I think we've covered this by suggesting people text ring and quote online Andrew, that way they've ensured that whatever way is prefered by the vendor, he has covered all angles.

Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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Thats just me

Don't beat yourself up about it, like I said MANY quotes I get are after its been sold, so not always about price or anything else... Just down to not being quick enough

If in doubt why not ring, text and do the online quote, then you're covered

Courier Expert said:

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This is the way we work:

Quoting through mtvan online (or sending a text), sends your quote directly to the courier controller.

Phoning up gets you through to someone who writes the message on a 'post it note', and at some point finds it's way to the controllers desk (often after the job is already covered). Many a time, people have lost out on jobs, because the courier controller who is usually very busy, looks at what is right in front of him first (the computer screen), before sorting through scraps of paper.

Quoting online though mtvan or text message, also creates a record of when and how much you quoted.

If you want to phone as well, that's ok. But i would recommend submitting your quote online first, so you don't miss the boat.

I have quoted online for a couple of jobs posted by yourselves, one of the jobs I was 3 miles away from pick up point in Salford. It was about 2 hrs before the job was closed. Just think it would be a good thing if there was a quote rejected button so a bidder would know

"Bidding" such a horrible term

HSP Couriers said:

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"Bidding" such a horrible term

I have got to agree with you young man.

I don't think feedback on failed bids is a workable idea. I should think that could get quite annoying for a vendor to have to do. Just accept that you didn't get it, like you didn't get the date with the girl, and move on.

AJM sameday Couriers said:

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HSP Couriers said:

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"Bidding" such a horrible term

I have got to agree with you young man.

I agree, we prefer quote to bid.

Don't know why people get so hyped up about the word bidding.

Bid quote tender no matter what you call it it comes down to the same thing, a price you're willing to do the job for, others are also quoting, bidding, tendering.

It all comes down to the same thing your either successful or your not.

PB Express said:

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Don't know why people get so hyped up about the word bidding.

Bid quote tender no matter what you call it it comes down to the same thing, a price you're willing to do the job for, others are also quoting, bidding, tendering.

It all comes down to the same thing your either successful or your not.

Paul I'm not hyped up by the word, there is/might be better words, I won't be offended if it is still used.

Dunno what you want to call it but there are some weird and wonderfull bids/quotes out there, 70 mile small van/car job with no urgency produced a quote of £180 yesterday!

Springer Express Couriers said:

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Dunno what you want to call it but there are some weird and wonderfull bids/quotes out there, 70 mile small van/car job with no urgency produced a quote of £180 yesterday!

That's cheered me up, hope you snatched there hand off?

What car was it, a Lambo?

PB Express said:

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Dont know why people get so hyped up about the word bidding

Bid quote tender no matter what you call it it comes down to the

Same thing, a price your willing to do the job for, others are also quoting, bidding,

Tendering. It all comes down to the same thing your either successful or your not.

I think people get hyped up about misuse of the Queen's English, not so much the word itself. Bidding, although not exclusively, is a term usually meaning how much you offer to pay to buy something (often in an auction). Quoting is a term, in this context, meaning how much you require someone to pay you for your services.

This is an exchange site not a reverse auction, although I guess at times some vendors may use it that way, therefore 'bidding' is a less appropriate term.

Let's not get too hung up about the termanology, whatever you want to call it, to get your quote accepted you generally need to be competitive, in the locality of the pick up, and the quicker you get your quote in, the more likely you'll get it. If its pre booked i. E. Not for now but later, then more often than not the vendor is looking for a cheaper quote than usual (although in my case that's not true, mileage is mileage)

I work on a straight forward theory if the driver has to go out of his way to do the job at a specific time then its a urgent commanding top money, if the window is wider and we can work around the driver then it's a back load with a price to suit, most of the stuff I do will fit on a bike so pretty much any vehicle will do, it's all a bit of give and take unless it's an eBay job which they generally just take (normally the green hot wet stuff)

Scott Garner said:

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PB Express said:

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Dont know why people get so hyped up about the word bidding

Bid quote tender no matter what you call it it comes down to the

Same thing, a price your willing to do the job for, others are also quoting, bidding,

Tendering. It all comes down to the same thing your either successful or your not.

I think people get hyped up about misuse of the Queen's English, not so much the word itself. Bidding, although not exclusively, is a term usually meaning how much you offer to pay to buy something (often in an auction). Quoting is a term, in this context, meaning how much you require someone to pay you for your services.

This is an exchange site not a reverse auction, although I guess at times some vendors may use it that way, therefore 'bidding' is a less appropriate term.

To be exact; Bidding . to offer (a certain sum) as the price one will pay or charge. Quote. to state (a current market price) of (a security or commodity).

Both are acceptable but in terms of this site the author uses the word quote so we should do likewise.

The author actually uses the word bidding but no matter, I think we all know what it refers to whatever you want to call it

Ok lads. We don't need 101 explanations of the word bidding, so put your dictionaries away.

AJM sameday Couriers said:

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Ok lads. We don't need 101 explanations of the word bidding, so put your dictionaries away.

I couldn't agree more lol

east-lancs sameday couriers limited said:

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AJM sameday Couriers said:

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Ok lads. We don't need 101 explanations of the word bidding, so put your dictionaries away.

I couldn't agree more lol

Nowt wrong wi' educatin' tha sen lad! ;-D

DJ Specialist Couriers said:

To be exact; Bidding . to offer (a certain sum) as the price one will pay or charge. Quote. to state (a current market price) of (a security or commodity).

Both are acceptable but in terms of this site the author uses the word quote so we should do likewise.

Where did you get this definition, not being funny or awkward, I'm genuinely interested? Yes I did check the dictionaries that I have at my disposal, I see nothing wrong with that. I prefer to confirm my knowledge as best as possible before stating something. Which is why I put 'not exclusively' as the dictionary definition leaned heavily toward the 'offering to pay'.

Scott Garner said:

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east-lancs sameday couriers limited said:

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AJM sameday Couriers said:

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Ok lads. We don't need 101 explanations of the word bidding, so put your dictionaries away.

I couldn't agree more lol

Nowt wrong wi' educatin' tha sen lad! ;-D

DJ Specialist Couriers said:

To be exact; Bidding . to offer (a certain sum) as the price one will pay or charge. Quote. to state (a current market price) of (a security or commodity).

Both are acceptable but in terms of this site the author uses the word quote so we should do likewise.

Where did you get this definition, not being funny or awkward, I'm genuinely interested? Yes I did check the dictionaries that I have at my disposal, I see nothing wrong with that. I prefer to confirm my knowledge as best as possible before stating something. Which is why I put 'not exclusively' as the dictionary definition leaned heavily toward the 'offering to pay'.

Hi Scott,

To be honest not taken from a dictionary but from the dark recesses of my brain, and expressed in plain English, not jargon or gobbledygook. If I'm incorrect I apologise but pretty sure its bang on the money.

Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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Let's not get too hung up about the termanology, whatever you want to call it, to get your quote accepted you generally need to be competitive, in the locality of the pick up, and the quicker you get your quote in, the more likely you'll get it. If its pre booked i. E. Not for now but later, then more often than not the vendor is looking for a cheaper quote than usual (although in my case that's not true, mileage is mileage)

Mileage is mileage so true rob, I remember the early days of mtvan when Alan at CFL was the main vendor of GTM. Load you out, load you back at same rate none of this backload malarkey... Price the job properly take your margin and pay the driver. That's how a courier site should work.

With a network there are always going to be people clearing where the collection is, that are going back to where the delivery is, or certainly enroute, so to ensure they get the job they may well quote lower than they would normally do.

The problem is vendors have taken advantage of this and introduced the term "backload"

A backload used to be a word only a courier would use i. E. "i got a load back home"?

What is a backload now except an invitation for vendors to get their jobs covered cheaply therefore making a bigger profit off the back of the courier

I very much doubt the vendor has offered a reduced price to hs customer!

Oh and now we have eBayers to add to the mix too

All this make what was a very simple task of me having a job, and you quoting for it that much more confusing

I do not offer a backload rate to my customers, if they ask if I can do a job cheaper i tell them that unless they can move the delivery address closer then no

If i did, then i would set a precedent and an expectation that our rates are negotiable, and for me that would be a slippery slope to where a lot of couriers and courier companies now find themselves. That's to say not making a living and/or having to pay couriers low rates.

We can all be busy fools

Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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i tell them that unless they can move the delivery address closer then no

I like that :)

Before I get shot down in flames it's my opinion which you don't have to agree with, and I don't expect everyone to agree with, but it is my opinion nonetheless... Take it or leave it

Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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With a network there are always going to be people clearing where the collection is, that are going back to where the delivery is, or certainly enroute, so to ensure they get the job they may well quote lower than they would normally do.

The problem is vendors have taken advantage of this and introduced the term "backload"

A backload used to be a word only a courier would use i. E. "i got a load back home"?

What is a backload now except an invitation for vendors to get their jobs covered cheaply therefore making a bigger profit off the back of the courier

I very much doubt the vendor has offered a reduced price to hs customer!

Oh and now we have eBayers to add to the mix too

All this make what was a very simple task of me having a job, and you quoting for it that much more confusing

I do not offer a backload rate to my customers, if they ask if I can do a job cheaper i tell them that unless they can move the delivery address closer then no

If i did, then i would set a precedent and an expectation that our rates are negotiable, and for me that would be a slippery slope to where a lot of couriers and courier companies now find themselves. That's to say not making a living and/or having to pay couriers low rates.

We can all be busy fools

I totally agree!

Just bid siples

So is it bidding or quoting? ;)

JH Logistics said:

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So is it bidding or quoting? ;)

Bartering

Had an email alert for a gtm off the yellow one this morning

BACKLOAD

Bury st edmunds

To

Bury st edmunds

IN THE NOTES

2 pallets collect A. S. A. P. Deliver sameday a. S. A. P.

there's your company requesting a cheap rate

PB Express said:

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Had an email alert for a gtm off the yellow one this morning

BACKLOAD

Bury st edmunds

To

Bury st edmunds

IN THE NOTES

2 pallets collect A. S. A. P. Deliver sameday a. S. A. P.

there's your company requesting a cheap rate

Backload can mean anything on Courier Exchange Ive found, Ive quoted a normal Sameday rate and got it before now. All you can do is ring up and give a price but I would have thought a local like that would have attracted a minimum anyway!

DJ Specialist Couriers said:

I have quoted online for a couple of jobs posted by yourselves, one of the jobs I was 3 miles away from pick up point in Salford. It was about 2 hrs before the job was closed. Just think it would be a good thing if there was a quote rejected button so a bidder would know

We do in fact have our own quote rejection button, well actually it automatically emails unsuccessful couriers at the point we allocate the successful courier to the job. Obviously this only applies to our own couriers, nol mtvan quotes.

However, I agree that is a useful feature, it works well for us and would be great to have something like that in mtvan too. From their point of view, perhaps it would encourage more people to bid through the system?

Courier Expert said:

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DJ Specialist Couriers said:

I have quoted online for a couple of jobs posted by yourselves, one of the jobs I was 3 miles away from pick up point in Salford. It was about 2 hrs before the job was closed. Just think it would be a good thing if there was a quote rejected button so a bidder would know

We do in fact have our own quote rejection button, well actually it automatically emails unsuccessful couriers at the point we allocate the successful courier to the job. Obviously this only applies to our own couriers, nol mtvan quotes.

However, I agree that is a useful feature, it works well for us and would be great to have something like that in mtvan too. From their point of view, perhaps it would encourage more people to bid through the system?

Completely agree it would be a welcome addition to the site.

Admin... I've just spotted that you stated up there that you prefer the word quote to bid, yet on the news feed, when a job come in it says "open for bids"... Maybe needs changing then?

Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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Admin... I've just spotted that you stated up there that you prefer the word quote to bid, yet on the news feed, when a job come in it says "open for bids"... Maybe needs changing then?

Thanks for the heads up and yes we do, although we're not overly strict on it and opinions and reasons change. It may be more recently that we decided the word quote is more accurate. I expect it'll be changed when the news feed is next worked on.

Agree with Rob with regards to the backload malarkey! Sometimes when I "quote" for work on Courier Exchange for a load heading from north to south they ask me where I am heading back to, I say I am heading where ever the loads take me. I am sure as they can tell from my accent I am from south they expect me to put a backload quote in presuming I am heading home. (I only go home at weekends). If they are charging their customer a hotshot rate then it should continue to the courier. Obviously if someone is heading home and they quote a cheaper price to make his trip worthwhile then that is fine and I dont blame him for doing that.

Esi Logistics said:

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Agree with Rob with regards to the backload malarkey! Sometimes when I "quote" for work on Courier Exchange for a load heading from north to south they ask me where I am heading back to, I say I am heading where ever the loads take me. I am sure as they can tell from my accent I am from south they expect me to put a backload quote in presuming I am heading home. (I only go home at weekends). If they are charging their customer a hotshot rate then it should continue to the courier. Obviously if someone is heading home and they quote a cheaper price to make his trip worthwhile then that is fine and I dont blame him for doing that.

Excellent.. My sentiments exactly Esi, I have had the self same debate with someone not long ago. Out of interest, if anyone doesnt get the job, do you say 'Ive been outbid' or 'Ive been outquoted'?