What would you do in this situation?

Just wondered what you would do in this situation. Was on way up to North east yesterday, tipping around 18.00hrs. On way up saw, quoted and booked job from North east to Kent, load 2am tip by 10am. A good result! Now believing I would be clear in Kent by 10am I was keeping an eye on any jobs out of Kent from say 11am. Now as it happens nothing came up. Two hours later the customer called to say their customer now required a 7.5t so really sorry the job is cancelled. No problem these things happen, on to the next. But my question is if I had booked a job from Kent what would I or you of done. Do you phone the customer and say really sorry but my load to Kent has been cancelled. They would then just resell it. Or do you honour the job and run empty from North east to Kent to do the job. I know this is hypothetical but It got me thinking to what I would have done. Not often jobs get cancelled like that, but if I had booked a job from Kent would I have been running too far ahead.

Difficult to say, its a dilemma we all face from time to time. If it was for someone you know and work for, you could call them and explain had happened and see if they still wanted you to honour it, if it wasnt, then you really should look at cancelling and apologising profusely.

As with everything communication is the key. Let the seller of the job in Kent know what you are doing and what could go wrong, then he won't be let down if you have to cancel.

I had a similar scenario the other day went upto Edinburgh but drop of was closed so had to bring stuff back but while I was on me way up was trying to obtain a return load if I had got one how do I let them down if I call say 50mins before and place was about to close if they where then to get penalty charge could they pass it on to me?

Schofields couriers said:

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I had a similar scenario the other day went upto Edinburgh but drop of was closed so had to bring stuff back but while I was on me way up was trying to obtain a return load if I had got one how do I let them down if I call say 50mins before and place was about to close if they where then to get penalty charge could they pass it on to me?

If there is any doubt that you will be able to make the drop by closing time always ring the recipient to check their closing time and also find out what is the earliest time they are willing to accept on the next working day. Then check how the sender wishes you to proceed. Unless the receiving point is open 24 hours then the goods will not be wanted until the next day anyway. Aim on arriving at the delivery point AT LEAST 15 minutes before they open.

Only do this with the full approval of the sender!

If you actually get caught out and cannot contact either the sender or the recipient then find a reliable Sameday Co near to the drop off point to complete the job for you.

This is the problem with the way some vendors are asking you to operate. It's all fine until something goes wrong, and then it all starts to fall down like a pack of cards. This is something that i see happening more and more as drivers are having to plan ahead to justify the low rates they are being asked to run at. By planning ahead you are trying to maximise your mileage in the most profitable way, and it could be argued that is what these exchange sites are all here for... The downside is when one leg of your "run" in cancelled, delayed, or wotever, which then has a knock on effect for your "planned" journey.

In this instance, depending on what kind of rate you quoted on, you either take the hit, or sub it out

The problems with back loads going forwards!

Speed Couriers Nationwide said:

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This is the problem with the way some vendors are asking you to operate. It's all fine until something goes wrong, and then it all starts to fall down like a pack of cards. This is something that i see happening more and more as drivers are having to plan ahead to justify the low rates they are being asked to run at. By planning ahead you are trying to maximise your mileage in the most profitable way, and it could be argued that is what these exchange sites are all here for... The downside is when one leg of your "run" in cancelled, delayed, or wotever, which then has a knock on effect for your "planned" journey.

In this instance, depending on what kind of rate you quoted on, you either take the hit, or sub it out

Agreed, often i do not find or get my next job until im clear but thats not through lack of trying. I think if i had have had a job booked i would explain what had happened and said if they could get covered great but if not then i would have took the hit and done it.

Well Kevin, it could be argued that your inability to get your next job until you're clear from the previous one, is exactly the right way to do it. It would certainly avoid the scenario of your earlier example.

I've just had a quote from someone in Coventry for one i had South of London going to the midlands...

Supposing it gets cancelled at the last minute, or the wrong sized vehicle has been booked. All very well if he's clearing near the collecton but If this guy has travelled empty from Coventry how can he or I justify a call out/ cancellation charge that takes that into account?

You really do have to be careful

Yes it can be very tricky. I would be happier clearing one job before i think of or find the next for the reasons described. The trouble is if im on my way to lets say Newcastle and im clearing at 14.00 and i see a job come up from Newcastle load by 15.00 its very difficult not to go for it. The chances are i would clear by 14.15 and all is good but there could be a problem at unloading and ive then shot myself in the foot. Or if i dont go for it you can bet your life ill be clear by 14.15 and sit for hours with nothing kicking myself. It is very difficult as you want to maximise running time, minimise sitting time and not let anyone down.

More difficult in a sprinter than a small van its true, as you are more likely to have delays at either collection or delivery or both, particularly if handballing is involved...

Very true, only last week i was collecting at 15.00hrs, 1 pallet, to be delivered the next morning 300 miles away. Saw a car job sameday urgent going same direction, the time was 14.45 so thought if i got that one as well i could load the pallet go and pick the car job up and go straight to drop. Called and it had just gone. Ended up still waiting for pallet at 16.00hrs. I could have waited till i got pallet on first and if it had been ready then call the car job but it would definitely have been gone by then. As it is im glad it had gone otherwise i would have let someone down. I suppose the best answer is to either always wait till you know you are clear to proceed or be honest with the vendor and explain what the situation is so if it goes wrong they are prepared for it.

Depends how flexible the collection is really. I know there are some vendors who seem to have some work that's more flexible than mine would be, so never say never, but the rule of thumb for me is if you can't guarantee the collection, then don't quote. That said 99% of my stuff is ready NOW for an ASAP and that isn't true of all of us

Yes that was a lesson learned. Any job i take on which is collect asap and go with it i would never then try and double it or anything, the vendor is after a sameday load and go so that is what he will get. If it is load and tip the next day then i may try get something that loads and tips sameday that way no job is compromised.

Hey Kevin how do ya keep an eye on jobs when driving?, maybe I could use that excuse to get off fines

Ha i was wondering when someone would ask that. Well i have my laptop securely positioned and just keep refreshing it every so often to see whats come on. To me its no different to getting text alerts and reading them though i would say easier as i dont have to pick the phone up, just tap the button. If anytihing comes up i then stop as soon as for 2 minutes to work out the miles and call them on hands free as im setting off again.

I take mine now an then but it ends up in footwell, doh.

BusinessBuddy said:

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I take mine now an then but it ends up in footwell, doh.

Go to PC World, they do a plastic laptop holder. Designed for your lap, about a tenner if i remember, i just put a small strap through the folds underneath and ratchet it under the seat, 2 bits of velcro on the bottom and it goes nowhere, you can position it perfect for easy viewing.

Guess who's of to PC World lol

Sounds like something for the wife.. lol

Phew glad I dont have one. Cant afford the running costs

BusinessBuddy said:

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I take mine now an then but it ends up in footwell, doh.

You must do a lot of last second emergency braking!

That'll be due to looking at the laptop

Speed Couriers Nationwide said:

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Sounds like something for the wife.. Lol

Lol the only bit she dont like is the velcro