Courier Directory -Services available? ALL OF EM!

Gas motorcycle recently questioned why firms offer m/bikes yet don't have one.

Scanning through the courier directory i see a similar pattern.

A lot of ODs who clearly operate solo strangely list multiple services they can offer . From motor bike to 6.5 tonne hgv they got them all...

Apart from being unable to drive all their vehicles listed at the same time, its quite obvious that if an enquiry came they would look to sub it out ..which defeats the object resulting in loss of customer confidence.

Alternatively is it too easy to tick all the boxes when joining MtvAN because it looks better on your C.V?

I have a small van and list a small van ( oh and a motorbike which can be subbed out to Gas or Mk bikes)

I think you should only be able to list 1 vehicle as an owner driver. 1 membership per vehicle, unless you can prove you are a courier company or fowarder.

I would have much more confidence in the directory, if what i saw was accurate. If I am looking for a XLWB, then I do not want to waste time calling people who do not actually have one!

Yes but an od with a large could potentially bid on a small van or motorbike job as they are on the way back or even if they are traveling to a job

Legrys Express Ltd said:

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Yes but an od with a large could potentially bid on a small van or motorbike job as they are on the way back or even if they are traveling to a job

That's got nothing to do with your services provided list, that's having the appropriate alerts list setting, as was stated in the other thread...... http://www.mtvan.com/forum/vehicles-listed-on-profiles

Courier Expert said:

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I think you should only be able to list 1 vehicle as an owner driver. 1 membership per vehicle, unless you can prove you are a courier company or fowarder.

I would have much more confidence in the directory, if what i saw was accurate. If I am looking for a XLWB, then I do not want to waste time calling people who do not actually have one!

I get what you're saying but some OD's do have more than one vehicle available, so it is appropriate to list more than one vehicle.

Perhaps Mr. Admin could send a global message to ask people to review their profile page/listings to give a more accurate representation, explaining the difference between 'Services' and 'Alerts'

Mr G -Award winning courier service said:

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I have a small van and list a small van ( oh and a motorbike which can be subbed out to Gas or Mk bikes)

So you are doing exactly what you shouldn't be. This site is here as a trade exchange to sub the work out, so you would in effect be sub-subbing the work where a m/bike is required. It is not here for end-users to post work, therefore inappropriate for an OD to state services available outside of their means.

Scott he may have a bike in his possession as he has had one listed for some time, so in affect he wouldnt be sub-subbing the work out, and rather than me post work for a bike in his area I would call him direct to see if he wants it.. but dont expect Mr G to come out to play on his bike after his injury.

Even though some list bikes, and these may actually be business's that either have or can get hold of a bike, such as Speed or RLT, I dont have a problem with that, its those that state they have bike but don't or cannot get hold of one, I mean that cannot look good to a customer anyway.

In my profile I state Bikes and sm van, but the van is an extension of the bike and thats it, I dont use it F/t for courier work unless its a harsh winter, the van doesnt earn as much as the bike for dedicated stuff being a tad slower, and pays less when its subbed out, so I'd rather it sit and do nothing. Only use when the need arises.

Even though some list bikes, and these may actually be business's that either have or can get hold of a bike, such as Speed or RLT, I dont have a problem with that, its those that state they have bike but don't or cannot get hold of one, I mean that cannot look good to a customer anyway.

Hang on Gary, I have 2 motorcycles that I regularly use for courier work thank you!

I still think one membership per vehicle registration number, rather than one membership per individual, would sort the problem out.

I think that is how some of the breakdown services operate, it's per vehicle (rather than any vehicle you claim to own). Then maybe a small premium per vehicle for any extra one's you want to register? Obviously no one would pay extra to register vehicles they either have not got, nor have access to.

Showing H&R Insurance docs for each vehicle ;-)

Courier Expert said:

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I still think one membership per vehicle registration number, rather than one membership per individual, would sort the problem out.

I think that is how some of the breakdown services operate, it's per vehicle (rather than any vehicle you claim to own). Then maybe a small premium per vehicle for any extra one's you want to register? Obviously no one would pay extra to register vehicles they either have not got, nor have access to.

Don't agree. The vehicle is just the tool used for the job, it's the driver that does the work. Would you expect a plumbers directory to have entries for each set of tools the plumbers had?

RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD. said:

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Even though some list bikes, and these

may actually be business's that either have or can get hold of a bike , such

as Speed or RLT, I dont have a problem with that, its those that state they have bike but don't or cannot get hold of one, I mean that cannot look good to a customer anyway.

Hang on Gary, I have 2 motorcycles that I regularly use for courier work thank you!

I know you have 2 ie the Busa and maxi RLT, I stated "have or can get hold of", and Speed "may have" but certainly can get hold of..

I just used you as an example of either owning or obtaining ..

MyVanCan said:

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Courier Expert said:

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I still think one membership per vehicle registration number, rather than one membership per individual, would sort the problem out.

I think that is how some of the breakdown services operate, it's per vehicle (rather than any vehicle you claim to own). Then maybe a small premium per vehicle for any extra one's you want to register? Obviously no one would pay extra to register vehicles they either have not got, nor have access to.

Don't agree. The vehicle is just the tool used for the job, it's the driver that does the work. Would you expect a plumbers directory to have entries for each set of tools the plumbers had?

Plumbers tools are not really a proper comparison. I really can't see the point in anyone listing a XLWB or Motorbike, if they don't actually have one or have access to one.

It was in response to your one membership one vehicle, why couldn't they list more than one if they have it?

MK Bikes said:

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It was in response to your one membership one vehicle, why couldn't they list more than one if they have it?

I wasn't saying you should be prevented from listing vehicles you actually have, I just think there should be something to stop people listing vehicles willy nilly. A small charge per extra vehicle is just one idea, but there could be other ways to achieve the same result.

I think it simply arises from confusion between service provided and the desire to be alerted to suitable jobs. A simple line explaining the difference on the form should be enough rather than more draconian measures.

I dont want to get into slanging match over this, but on your profile Mr Courier expert you list a few different types of vehicle but you then have posted no GIT needed, so your asking others to post which van they have and you are posting different types, is there 1 rule for you and 1 rule for us? I know you offer the types of service but so do others, like me for instance, I have a lwb sprinter, which is bigger than a xlwb transit but there is no where to post size! So what should I do?

ILKLEY EXPRESS said:

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I dont want to get into slanging match over this, but on your profile Mr Courier expert you list a few different types of vehicle but you then have posted no GIT needed, so your asking others to post which van they have and you are posting different types, is there 1 rule for you and 1 rule for us? I know you offer the types of service but so do others, like me for instance, I have a lwb sprinter, which is bigger than a xlwb transit but there is no where to post size! So what should I do?

I think your van will cover a multitude of vehicle sizes including small van so that would be down to alerts, but on that note would you accept small van prices for your size of van?

ILKLEY EXPRESS said:

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I dont want to get into slanging match over this, but on your profile Mr Courier expert you list a few different types of vehicle but you then have posted no GIT needed, so your asking others to post which van they have and you are posting different types, is there 1 rule for you and 1 rule for us? I know you offer the types of service but so do others, like me for instance, I have a lwb sprinter, which is bigger than a xlwb transit but there is no where to post size! So what should I do?

I have access to all the vehicles I have displayed. As I mentioned before, there should be a different rule for courier companies / forwarders, as we are in a different situation to owner drivers.

But isn't every courier potentially a freight forwarder? And so we turn a full circle LOL

This has all been confused are the vehicles on your profile are those which you can offer trade or are they for information purposes only?

Who seriously is going to take trade work of another member to sub it to the vehicle they have access to?

MK Bikes said:

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But isn't every courier potentially a freight forwarder? And so we turn a full circle LOL

There is a difference between potentially and actually being one, lol.

MK Bikes said:

Who seriously is going to take trade work of another member to sub it to the vehicle they have access to?

I don't actively look for that type of work but if someone were to ring and ask if we have an available vehicle in location xxxx then i would offer a price for the job. Assuming of course i had a vehicle available at the time and within my own network.

At a trade rate?

Guys... My original post was pointing out that owner-drivers are listing services that they can't possibly provide either because the system allows them to add extra vehicles to create a"big" company image or as i also suggested wishing to sub work out if required.

This is normal if you operate your own website but not necessary on an exchange site like this where it just creates confusion and frustration.

Of course if you are a courier company you will have access to all owner drivers with varying size and types of vehicle.. Thats a fact and totally acceptable to list.

Would it be simpler to have a directory that contains ODs in one section and companies/controllers in another one?

Oh and Scott, yes i do own a bike.. A kawasaki z750e and as Mk pointed out because of my accident now have to sub my bike work out to my trusted friends.. But i've still got it so why not list it?

Mr G -Award winning courier service said:

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Oh and Scott, yes i do own a bike.. A kawasaki z750e and as Mk pointed out because of my accident now have to sub my bike work out to my trusted friends.. But i've still got it so why not list it?

Because when the courier company call you asking you to do a bike job you can't do it so you are wasting your time and theirs. The way you talk here about it you wouldn't take on that job, it's not a service you offer as a subbie any more, due to your accident. You are going against what you asked in the first post!

If we ignore certain threads and concentrate on what this topic is actually about, then this is the way it is

If you have an XLWB or LWB or Transit, you are going to want alerts for ANYTHING that will take you back home.

To do this you will add small van as part of your "fleet"

I see nothing wrong with this

BUT

I wouldn't advise anyone to put a bike unless they actually have one because that is specific.

People ask for bikes for a reason, so a XLWB turung up would not be a good idea

No one with a small van should be listing themselves as a transit or LWB becasue gettin alerts for anything bigger than what they have clearly is no good to them

Gas Motorcycle Couriers said:

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Scott he may have a bike in his possession as he has had one listed for some time, so in affect he wouldnt be sub-subbing the work out, and rather than me post work for a bike in his area I would call him direct to see if he wants it.. but dont expect Mr G to come out to play on his bike after his injury.

But surely that's exactly what he said, he would sub any bike work to you or MK, so it is inappropriate to list a bike here. Would you take a bike job from Mr G if it was A N Other Courier Co. that listed the job? He quotes them and then you quote him? By the time you get it there'll be no money left in it!

His original post, and my point here, if you do not provide the service - don't list the vehicle.

Even though some list bikes, and these may actually be business's that either have or can get hold of a bike, such as Speed or RLT, I dont have a problem with that, its those that state they have bike but don't or cannot get hold of one, I mean that cannot look good to a customer anyway.

Customers are not looking at mtvan, it's a trade work exchange. If you wish to grow your business and have a friendly subbie with a LWB Transit at your disposal, you would advertise on your website/marketing media

In my profile I state Bikes and sm van, but the van is an extension of the bike and thats it, I dont use it F/t for courier work unless its a harsh winter, the van doesnt earn as much as the bike for dedicated stuff being a tad slower, and pays less when its subbed out, so I'd rather it sit and do nothing. Only use when the need arises.

But you do have one available and you use it when the need arises, so it is appropriate to offer the service, assuming that it is insured etc.

Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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If we ignore certain threads and concentrate on what this topic is actually about, then this is the way it is

If you have an XLWB or LWB or Transit, you are going to want alerts for ANYTHING that will take you back home.

To do this you will add small van as part of your "fleet"

I see nothing wrong with this

BUT

I wouldn't advise anyone to put a bike unless they actually have one because that is specific.

People ask for bikes for a reason, so a XLWB turung up would not be a good idea

No one with a small van should be listing themselves as a transit or LWB becasue gettin alerts for anything bigger than what they have clearly is no good to them

But that's your alert settings Rob, not your services provided or 'fleet' as you put it.

I stand corrected Scott, you're 100% correct

I think some confuse the 2 as i have

We all "offer" on our websites all types as we all "big ourselves up" and have a network to help with vehicles we don't actually have

Indeed there are those "Courier Companies" that don't have any vehicles whatsover.

As this is trade it should be vehicles you physically have

Scott don't take things too literally... I posted My motorbike as a tongue in cheek response to Gas and MK Couriers other posting about A, B. C, D etc and if you read my post on that thread you can clearly see me state that i would advertise a bike for him if they reciprocate and offer a small van. That is what i have done .

As speed sums up my original post.. This is trade so it should be vehicles you physically have

Mr G -Award winning courier service said:

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Gas motorcycle recently questioned why firms offer m/bikes yet don't have one.

Scanning through the courier directory i see a similar pattern.

A lot of ODs who clearly operate solo strangely list multiple services they can offer . From motor bike to 6.5 tonne hgv they got them all...

Apart from being unable to drive all their vehicles listed at the same time, its quite obvious that if an enquiry came they would look to sub it out ..which defeats the object resulting in loss of customer confidence.

Alternatively is it too easy to tick all the boxes when joining MtvAN because it looks better on your C.V?

I have a small van and list a small van ( **oh and a motorbike which can be subbed out to Gas or Mk bikes****)

**Tongue in cheek for our biker friends

Although you take things a little too seriously Scott your point is correct and its the alert and services provided section which needs addressing ..which bizarrely is what i meant in the beginning?

why do posts always go full circle before we get anywhere? doh!!

MK Bikes said:

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At a trade rate?

Yes I do offer a lower rates to mtvan and previously Courier Exchange members

Scott Garner said:

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But you do have one available and you use it when the need arises, so it is appropriate to offer the service, assuming that it is insured etc.

Gas Motorcycle Couriers said:

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Scott Garner said:

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But you do have one available and you use it when the need arises, so it is appropriate to offer the service, assuming that it is insured etc.

DOH! Forget to add text..

Yes is my reply...

And only used when the need arises, I dont offer it generally to trade but its there if the need arises and Im available and the price is right, my preference is offering it to my regulars who have items that just wont fit on a bike or if the weather is just to dangerous for 2 wheels... And if its too big then I will call upon a reputable source (as I have done in the past, thanks RLT) or pass them onto someone whom I know meets an industry standard.

I am a courier company, not a cab firm, and the vehicles I offer represent that.

Nuff said

Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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I am a courier company, not a cab firm, and the vehicles I offer represent that.

Nuff said

What does that mean exactly?

Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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If we ignore certain threads and concentrate on what this topic is actually about, then this is the way it is

If you have an XLWB or LWB or Transit, you are going to want alerts for ANYTHING that will take you back home.

To do this you will add small van as part of your "fleet"

I see nothing wrong with this

BUT

I wouldn't advise anyone to put a bike unless they actually have one because that is specific.

People ask for bikes for a reason, so a XLWB turung up would not be a good idea

No one with a small van should be listing themselves as a transit or LWB becasue gettin alerts for anything bigger than what they have clearly is no good to them

Totally agree with you Speed.

Heres the one i posted earlier which preston has started again...

Courier Expert said:

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MyVanCan said:

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Courier Expert said:

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I still think one membership per vehicle registration number, rather than one membership per individual, would sort the problem out.

I think that is how some of the breakdown services operate, it's per vehicle (rather than any vehicle you claim to own). Then maybe a small premium per vehicle for any extra one's you want to register? Obviously no one would pay extra to register vehicles they either have not got, nor have access to.

Don't agree. The vehicle is just the tool used for the job, it's the driver that does the work. Would you expect a plumbers directory to have entries for each set of tools the plumbers had?

Plumbers tools are not really a proper comparison. I really can't see the point in anyone listing a XLWB or Motorbike, if they don't actually have one or have access to one.

Your seeing it one sided somebody with an xlwb van has the ability to cover any job from motorcycle upto xlwb not that i would go for a motorcycle job as i tend to think of motorcycle as a specialist service but small van jobs or anything upto xlwb is fair game to me a small van job going home is a bonus much better than going home with MTVAN

PB Express said:

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Your seeing it one sided somebody with an xlwb van has the ability to cover any job from motorcycle upto xlwb not that i would go for a motorcycle job as i tend to think of motorcycle as a specialist service but small van jobs or anything upto xlwb is fair game to me a small van job going home is a bonus much better than going home with MTVAN

I am not disputing that you have the ability to cover those jobs, what I was suggesting in the other thread and others in here is that it shouldn't say what services you can cover but what vehicles you actually have, this would be better for vendors and have no impact your use of MTVAN.

EG Your listing.

Vehicles Available: XLWB Transit
Alerts: 2 Man, LWB Transit, MWB Transit, SWB Transit, Small Van, XLWB Transit