Easy Guide To Transport
Some useful tips when booking transport and the terminology.
1.Same day = goods collected and delivered same day.
2. Next day service = goods delivered next working day between 9.00am and 5.00pm. If the delivery destination is closed during these hours and we are unable to deliver, you will be re-charged the same amount again for re-delivery on another day.
3. Economy delivery = as with the above hours, but delivered within three working days (except for Ireland, some off-shore islands and some Scottish highlands).
4. Quotes are given without V.A.T. This is added to your quote at the current rate.
Sizing up your goods
Make sure you size up your pallet/s or load correctly. If you give the incorrect size or weight, you will be charged extra and the load may not fit on the vehicle sent - so
it is imperative you size up your goods correctly.
Some people book transport by saying "I need a 3.5t van or 7.5t lorry". Please be aware that a 3.5 tonne van only has a payload of 1400kg. A 7.5 tonne lorry only has
a payload of 2800kg. An 18 tonne lorry only has a payload of 9000kg. A 26 tonne lorry has only a payload of 14000kg. An artic has only a payload of 24000kg.
Groupage
If your goods travel via this method (groupage), then this means your goods are all grouped together with other people's goods. This all carries risk from damage,
as groupage companies will always try to get more on a load, (more on a load, more money per load) and your goods have a high risk of missing the delivery date. The vehicle only needs to be held up at an earlier delivery and your goods will not arrive on time.
Dedicated Transport
This is quite possibly the exact opposite to groupage. Your goods run entirely on their own, and is by far the best way for them to travel. There is no danger of other people's goods damaging yours and you know, barring unforseen circumstances, your goods will be delivered on time and intact, but this is by far the the most expensive means of transport.
Same day/Courier
This is for the job that has to run on the same day that you are booking the job. Please remember when booking this, the costs will always vary from day to day
dependent upon vehicle availability and size, etc. Make sure you book the right size vehicle and that you allow sufficient time for your goods to be loaded and to
travel to your destination. It is also a good idea to furnish us with a contact name and all telephone numbers etc., for the delivery destination and of course, your out of hours contact number.
Demurrage
Remember this, if you were to keep a taxi car waiting outside your house for an hour or more, that taxi would charge you. Remember that the taxi only costs 10%
of what a lorry costs and all our drivers are paid by the hour. So be sure to ask how much time is allowed in your quoted price, for loading and unloading. After that time has elapsed, you could be charged demurrage at a rate per hour, or part hour. Demurrage rates vary depending upon vehicle size. Please ask for this rate.
Loading condition
As the customer, if you are not happy with how your goods are loaded, then please do not allow that vehicle to leave your premises without getting authorisation
from our head office. Remember, that it is the driver's responsibility to make sure the goods are safe for transport, but it is your responsibility, as the customer, to make sure the goods are packaged safely for transport. If in doubt, please ask.
Postcode/Address
I know this sounds silly, but it is imperative, if you want your goods to get to the correct destination, you must furnish us with the correct name on site, company
name, full address and full postcode, plus any telephone numbers for this destination. Please remember if it goes to the wrong address, you will be charged
for a re-delivery.
Timed deliveries
Be sure to ask your customer when they want their goods delivered. If you request a timed delivery, then this is what you will be charged for. Indeed, your customer may well be happy to receive between 9am and 5pm, so it is worth asking your customer and you may save money. Remember, if you select a next day delivery
and on the delivery day you call to say your customer needs the goods more urgently, this cannot be changed on the day of delivery. You will end up just receiving
the original service level you book, so be sure to make the right choice.
Booking Transport
A bit like going on holiday, the earlier you book, the more choice you have. If you leave it to the last minute before making the call to book transport, then you may
end up having to pay a higher price due to vehicle utilisation, or missing time slots for us to make outbound trunks. At worst, you will be unable to obtain a vehicle.
Delivery of goods
Remember, from the moment the goods have been lifted off our vehicle, the goods/insurance must now be covered by you or your customer. They are no longer covered from that moment. If we are unloading the goods via a tail lift, then once you sign for those goods they become your responsibility.
