How many regular vs adhoc drivers do you use?

This post is mainly aimed at Speed, Pronto and anyone else who regularly posts work on other exchange sites (CX etc).

I'm interested to know when you post work are you normally getting it covered with guys you know and have used before or is it quite regularly that you're picking up new drivers?

Basically what I'm interested in is the split between using X exchange to simply alert your regular guys of work you need covering vs using the exchange as a recruitment tool.

what a great question, because if they only use it to alert their regular drivers then what is the point of sites like this, no wonder i am not picking up any work as a newbie, however i am sure that its not like that at all, it has been very quiet today on here.

Fastback Parcel Solutions said:

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what a great question, because if they only use it to alert their regular drivers then what is the point of sites like this, no wonder i am not picking up any work as a newbie, however i am sure that its not like that at all, it has been very quiet today on here.

You (well I) would expect vendors to use people they know and have used before rather than someone totally new every time. I think it'd be pretty risky to use someone you haven't met before every single time. This is why you must persevere to get that 1st job... do that well and I'd imagine you're much more likely to get something in the future.

My post was not meant as a dig at all, the information would just be useful when deciding how or what we do to the site next.

I didnt think you were having a dig, as i said its a great question to ask, and could be full of useful information for yourself.

OK, fair enough. However I don't think that means there's no point in sites like this as it's one of the easier places to find someone new when you need them.

Well to a certain extent exchange sites are a victim of their own success, in that, once you've used the same guy a few times, and you're happy with how he does things, you're more likely to ring him direct than put the job on here. Makes sense i'm sure even fastback will agree. On CX there is a facility to put a job on directly to the driver so as not to appear "for sale" so doesn't waste anyones time. The downside for is that the site appears quieter than it actually is. Those drivers who are used regularly in effect become part of our team so would be given the details in exactly the same ways as our own drivers get em...automated text from our website.

Yep i agree with you 100%.....and i cant wait to get automated texts from all and sundry...lol.

So, Rob, are you saying there is a way for your own "team" to receive texts from www.speednationwide.co.uk??

Have used exchange sites to build up a huge list of drivers / companies that we use nationwide, the only time any of our work gets put on an exchange is when we cannot cover it through our own vehicles / subbies.

average of 6 jobs a day being subbed out at the moment (over 7 days) and say approx 12% of that will go on an exchange.

This is based on last weeks figures.

HSP Couriers said:

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Have used exchange sites to build up a huge list of drivers / companies that we use nationwide, the only time any of our work gets put on an exchange is when we cannot cover it through our own vehicles / subbies.

average of 6 jobs a day being subbed out at the moment (over 7 days) and say approx 12% of that will go on an exchange.

This is based on last weeks figures.

And the stuff you put on the exchange, so you normally get someone unknown, or does someone you've used before contact you & get the work?

as little as possible, i will not use anyone i do not know, 99% of the time i try and cover everything in house, apart from my euro runs but this all goes to one company and i take my cream of the top, 7.5t / 18t'er this all goes to one company as above just take my cream job done

Majority of the time its someone who has worked for us before who will call in for the job. They will get the work every time over someone who hasnt worked for us before.

Unfair playing field ? yes.

But thats just how it works, whether people admit it or not !

Si, how much do you really know someone though ? How do you know that we wouldnt mess a job up for you ?

Not a criticism, just an observation mate

but i dont know you :-)

i only use 4 subbies thats it, i have to met people face to face for any jobs go out to them, and then start with the little jobs 1st

its like when i take a new driver on, he will spend a week with one of my other drivers so he can see what i want from them

thats fair enough Si, although your right we havent met face to face.

If I get a new subbie bid on one of my jobs I look at his "trusted" and feedback and base my decision on other members experiences. Surely this is what the feedback system is for?

Simon expect a visit from Mr G . Im Looking to add to my Notts /m1 connections .

Si, I've had a job off you ;-)

...and never met you, but then my reputation precedes me

I will only use an exchange when I have no option preferring to use my main subbies or people that I have conversed with locally and on forums (I have normally met them previously) , it very hard to maintain a particular level of service to your customers using people hundreds of miles away from you on a regular basis, but then I'm not interested in empire building.

We all have a lack of time so exchange sites are by far and away the easiest way of alerting both known and unknown subbies. Depending how busy it is will depend on whether we have time to ring/text our regulars or stick em all online. Either way it's all about covering as quickly as possible, at the right price for us, and to those in the right place for us.Timing is equally, if not more, important than price, and getting the job covered as quickly as possible is what its all about so we can move on to the next one. Exchange sites speed up the process by alerting more drivers in one go...simple as that

tony but some told me about you and it was only a little one :-)

and i was up shit creek with it any way lol :-D

Someone recommend you to me as well Tony. albeit a few years ago now. You also suggested a few others I could try as well as avoid!

I could also advise those who have become my work colleagues / friends, who to avoid using at all costs too!

Oi si I'm off to my solicitor to get a super injunction thats an evil rumour!

What junction is this super Inn at MK?

Junction 14 lovely roast!

Hve you tried the crown carveriers? In Brum they are just £3.59 for adults with all the veg you can eat . That is terrific value in my book . I always have a pint of tap water with it to keep costs down.

Did you not see that programme about a year back when an investigative team exposed the fact that lost cost pub meals werent actually what they were supposed to be, when they genetically tested the beef it turned out to be some form of african ox.

You cant buy and cook a proper meat meal for a fiver

mmmmmm African ox ...yummy .Is that like Kobe beef?