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I'm owner driver past 20 yrs..
Jobs f**ked...
I start on agency next week £1000 a week for 5 days...no headache...

Its not that simple is it, you could have companies not pay on time or at all, blow out, breakdown then now work while its standing, literally a million issues can arise, been doing it 50 years and still get new issues every week its minefield, tbh any less than 5 trucks with good paying major contract, dont bother bloke working for someone else earn more money and he will have a life you wont believe me

I've been owner driver 20 yrs now...
This Yr my profit margins have gone backwards 10 yrs...fuel..killing the job.
Running a 6 yr old truck now and there is no way I'm sticking another noose around my neck...a big recession on its way...I'm out before it arrives...

It’s as good a time as any to go for it. You will probably never get a contract and 99% will be sub contracting of the bigger boys. Research who you work for to see if any horror stories. Don’t over stretch your self financially buy the truck that is right for the job not because it has shiny stuff stuck to it and rent trailers until you are sure what direction you are going to go in.

I honestly believe these changes are made in mind that’s it’s harder for the OD to find n chase invoices
Typical CX of late.

plenty to be made from Amazon also

the rates I saw were shocking, but I suppose if it suited your operation and got a lorry home, it’s another load and another dollar made

the rares you see are not relevant. Plenty of us working for much better I can assure you

that’s it then, it’s not all doom and gloom

I think we should all be respectful of each other, aren’t we all in the same game!
We all have the right to set our own prices as others have mentioned,
We all are in competition with each other, who ever decides that they want to charge less is their own prerogative to do so, that’s called competitive business and those who win the jobs will capitalize even if it’s a small profit!
Example -
You won’t hear Barclays Bank stating to all the other banks you are offering your products and services to cheap and killing it for us, No! Barclays will just have to find away to be competitive.
At the end of the day, the market/customers will dictate the price as they are the money and you can only earn what they are willing to pay.
Let’s be competitive, let’s work hard, let the best man/woman WIN!!
Kind regards Jonatta 🙂👍

Hello all
I left cx few months ago. This MBM have to pay me £312 for a job I did in July and he's not responding to calls and text messages. Can anyone suggest what to do. I'm really desperate.

Thanks in advance

VS

Hi Jamerenz, I sent you a DM

Anyvan is good to make clients but their automatic price generator is shockingly pathetic as it doesn’t even cover diesel in most cases. On the other hand you can maximize your earnings by combining other jobs from other platform.

Waste of money and time

Just wait a few weeks and all the forwarders will be beggars again. It's a seasonal lul, the kids are off school, people take time off from work and company's produce less. This month to Christmas, they'll be phoning you up asking for a fiver again.

You do realize that the courier exchange business model is to sell to couriers that can't find/don't have the skills to find their own work? They don't care if there isn't enough work for everyone on there (they never promised there would be), they simply want your fee.

What’s your long term plan
Is it to build a company with multiple vehicles on the road take on work your self and expand great go for it but expect to work hard
If it’s you one truck bound by drivers hours
You will max out your driving hours spend 20 hours a month in the office invoicing
Spend 20 hours a month chasing payments and at the end of it by the time you pay your bills you will earn less then you will driving for someone else so my advice think about your long term goals and what you are willing to do to get their

A very grey area, that's why shippers should always list the load details like dimensions and weights etc.
I'd say it's a SWB like my old Traffic LWB, can take 2 UK pallets but limited height (1.2m max) and limited weight. A MWB van can take the same number of UK pallets but taller and heavier.

If you’re subbing a job how can you ask for money up front?
Get your own customers and ask for it upfront see how far you get with it.
Why would you pay someone upfront for their van to breakdown or vehicle to be involved in an accident? Would you give the money back?

Very little difference in e5 and e6 emissions systems but maker's have had bit longer sorting out the problems on e6. Emissions zones are everywhere and hassle paying would just be annoying having to remember and penalties if you forget.

Please be vigilant if you ever subbed work to Cargo Express.

did logistiq group get booted off the CX can’t find them in the directory?

no unfortunately not - they are now on there as - Logistics Express 242452

ok mate cheers. Got happy for a second 😆

You won't gain anything, you won't encourage people to pay any quicker and will often throw the invoice until query which can then add more time. If people are late payer beyond what you can tolerate finally or mentally then don't do business. If it's a one off then go the claims court route.
I had lots of late payment s going out when I was using hundreds of cx drivers and admittedly I was awful. If people called or text me to chase I used to ring the accountant and get it paid immediately or the following day. Never paid an invoice with a late payment charge.

For shippers that don't pay factoring company is it a case they don't want to but by law and terms on exchange they have to anyway or is it just case of ignore them shippers completely as they can mess up receiving payment if factoring company is involved I like to use factoring company to avoid what's happened here but their are quite a few job opportunities I will miss out on. And sorry for your loss that's allot of money.

Just take it to the small claims court, they cannot refuse to pay you, add £40 for late payment, then what ever the court costs are, as long as you can prove, it was delivered they have to pay you.
DO NOT LET THEM GET AWAY WITH IT.

Good point. Did 670 miles yesterday, delivery and dead miles. Charged customer £735. Thats £200 in diesel (not timed, so averaged 55mph ish). Leaves me £535 for the (very long) day. Obv got to take out other fixed costs. Wish I could do this 3 times a week! Hard to get direct customers (even harder to keep them with poachers about) but deffo the way forward.

I've started out myself as of January this year, I do have my repair business to fall back on aswell though. I own my truck and trailer, so I'm not pushed to make the money each week for finance or rental. I do have regular customers that I move stuff for, but being machinery it all depends when it requires moving, as it's usually when the job they are on is complete. All the best with it, it isn't easy but worthwhile in the end.

They have reopened as a new company, registered in his wife's name. Also operating back on CX, number 242452 company name Logistic Group Ltd. Be aware.

Just spoke to the lying cow of a wife and she said she’s no longer married to him and it’s her own company 🤣 sent a message to CX to talk to them regarding the matter as she said they said it’s fine to do that not sure even if they know. Thanks for the info mate.

Please see Being Owner operator as a business, I want to say doing business it's not easy and will never be, so for those who find it very difficult it's normal because if it easy everybody will be doing it...so be ready for stress and working from the moment you open your eyes until you go to sleep, and that is what it is...not good not bad it's only what it is, if you see your self can doing such thing so go ahead and hope you good luck.

If you want to Earn better money travel outside Kent. Both Essex and Sussex are head and shoulders pay wise over Kent, just don’t go as far as Suffolk as the pay is dire up there.

Sorry to say I got a x5 Luton vans and sprinter and people wouldn't and never pay that price even if they wee l were rich
Look at the going rate for your size van
I've been in this business for 15 years and still couldn't get that price.
If you get busy and have extra work I'll be happy to help you. We are based in London we cover the whole UK and EU just for the record.

they asked me for a deposit in order to open the account, although they jave way better prices that EDC which I use at the moment, had an offer from Morgan as well so they're about the same prices with AS24.

Found nothing to do in 3 weeks from Sussex. The only 1-2 loads been posted in the area were allocated 1 second after posting. £20 is not much but only a few posts a day.

There’s no wonder why accidents happen with muppets like these putting more weight on a vehicle than the vehicle itself can carry 🤣 bet the leaf springs will be frowning all the way and DVSA will be rubbing their hands together getting the biggest payday going.

I read it that Trustd will contact you to remind you that something is due to be renewed like insurance or whatever when the time comes, there's no mention of charges, yet. It was a pain in the ass to upload but I made it eventually 😏

If he booked the boat he can cancel and amend. Almost all provider's or agents offer hauliers this.
No proof of vehicle, no insurance docs and not willing to show licence hmmm.. you seem doubtful already so you know what to do. Don't be pressured. Plenty of professionals out there.

Open ended question! This is the problem with CX and some posters! If I posted that job I would expect it to co-loaded at that price! At that price it’s a backload or co-load! Simple
I gained my experience and built my business off CX!
It’s not rocket science you just have to weigh up each load and your bottom line!
CX works If you work at it! Simple

Thanks for everyone’s input 🙏🏻

I don’t have any customers pay later that 30 days from invoice.
I don’t do any jobs from cx on 60 days terms not because of the length of time but I’m not confident that they won’t scam people out of money and then fold.

Companies like Amazon are Good at the moment with Christmas coming but like most will suffer in the first couple of months of the new year they will promise you the World but will CHARGE you for it and if you don't do it for the penny's they offer there's always Another o/d that Will! Last but Not Least, STAYING WITHIN THE LAW!

£123.89 this week

I get my bids knocked back even for bidding lower than I should be. Honestly feel like I’ve thrown £2000 down the drain at CX. Earned that back within my first two weeks and now barely getting any work on it.

This Trustd is absolutely shocking as is the help from both the CX and Trustd. Account blocked as we have changed address and is now under review.

🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

Everyone paying interests to borrow cash, unless You pay invoices on receipt, You should get charged for the time You need someone to lend You the above expenses, for the 2-3 months You will take to pay it back, as Your terms with Your own customers it is Your deal and problem, You are just occasional customer for someone so no payment terms should be given 😉
Best of luck matey 🤓

I'm starting to think I should go back to these people and show them my costs of doing such an expensive project, in reality I need to put their rent up so much as you said I've invested in the highest expenses, people, time and not to mention, planning and building control fees, paying over the and odds for windows because its in a conservation area, and everything else that came with doing this through a pandemic, driver shortage, fuel increases and not for getting inflation.
Is that ok with you?

The argument was business in transport/courier and quotes
We can start another conversation about...

Well said and too right but Funny how all the people who are defending the backloads scam are posting company's worrying about there profits on others misery! Shame on them and anyone who participates in ruining the industry!

It’s not nice things to happen with anyone but why people doing jobs pay you after three months doesn’t make sense to me I don’t do jobs anymore with 45 days and 60 days no chance at all.

Hey Garrey,
Starting your own trucking business can be a rewarding journey. It's hard work, but it's worth it if you're committed. My friend and I did the same, and it's been a great experience. Just make sure to plan well using task management software for small business , consider costs, and stay dedicated. Good luck with your venture!

Anyone trying to make a living solely on the CX is a dead duck, you make your money on YOUR customers outbound jobs then fill your boots with a job back for a bonus.

Mate, don’t bother. There’s so much competition ‘cause people like you think they can just fall into it and earn money: ‘transport’s easy so I must be able to make money from it’. It ain’t that easy at all. But if you still wanna try is up to you mate. Good luck.

You get 30 days after invoice and 30 Days end of month sounds like what you have there.
Wild I know as you can do a 45 days eom job and end up getting paid quicker for a 60 days job at this time of the month.

Nowadays nobody seems to bother leaving feedback, not even the drivers I subcontract....It's just weird.
If your friend likes this business and wants to grow up in this, than all he needs to do is to pay attention to everything, if he wins a job he should ask himself why and the same goes if he didn't won. And of course patience...lots of it.
Hope it helped somehow. Take care. 👍🏻

Thank you very much everyone! Great eye opener as I was a bit “rigid”. For example: years back my mechanic told me to stay away from VW Crafter but they are the best review so far. Now I will consider it! It really helped! Thank you and safe journeys everyone!

If someone does not pay you. 1. Report it to CX. They can then get the member kicked off the exchange. 2. Either issue legal proceedings after a LBA or feel free to message me to help you recover.

Pros- get to see places general haulage drivers don't get to go, farmers are generally friendly chatty people (don't tell them that though, they like the miserable reputation that they have), plenty of brews and butties, park on farm and possibility of a vehicle to use or a lift to get dinner, physical job so you won't gain as much weight as some folk do driving, and quite rewarding really.
Cons- early starts, late nights, horrible in the winter months most of the time, proper hard work at times.
I would say if you can cope with them little obstacles then go for it....it'll be easy to get a job on general if it doesn't work out for you.

Paying to work is never worth it... ever... regardless... you work to earn money why pay to earn money... don't make sense...

The factoring companies will destroy your customer base badgering your customers that aren’t even due, they used to phone the office demanding payment when not even due in the end we refused to work with anybody who factored

My point being if you have no connection now it's an up hill struggle to get in somewhere where they'll run your truck 24/7. And if you can, you might not want to because you'll end up tramping Sunday to Friday or Monday to Saturday most of these guys will use you as if the truck was theirs but they don't pay for parking or nights out and this is where you start to lose money. I get the attraction of owning your own truck but it soon fades when you've got a truck in the workshop and it needs a clutch, brakes, turbo, or more serious and you're paying for it.

I'm currently tramping Monday to Friday so that’s not to much of a problem for me but if it’s not cost effective like you say working on a black book full of contacts would be better.

If you get extended credit on fuel you'll be paying more for it or a fee. As an owner driver you only earn money by maxing your hours and being smart. You need to be up and out before the guy who works as a driver rather than a subcontractor....

My own oil change every 10k miles not an issue for over 1.4 years. If you do service every 2 years as others any van you get end up same. Cheers!

Mine is £1500 for H&R with Business Choice Direct. £160 GIT - 25k (24hrs cover) and £70 for PL -1 million. I am 34 and with 0 points, 0 fault claims, and 6 years Business NCB. Based in Kent

Lack of places to park if you can't make services or where you intended (planning doesn't always work) & industrial estates have imposed no parking!! Car drivers don't understand how trucks move around the roads, for example it takes trucks longer to get going from a junction etc...how am I doing so far...but you did ask!!

I'm sure all owner drivers must support this, greedy transport/courier company owners with logistic agents been taking the whole logistic work down the drain. That in most cases you will make more money in Mcdonalds.

and to expensive to road tax that’s why nobody wants them

🤌 Who will give you this information? In this weather everyone keeps his umbrella over his head…

Quite simple use the laws of pallet truck physics
They can carry mass weights but can't roll over a plastic cable tie on the floor
Simply put a cable tie on the floor at the front and back of each wheel
It's going nowhere

Check your home insurance, sometimes they add employment law cover, or ACAS,

Ye that’s why gave up.. got 3 E6 dafs for sale if anyone interested
2 x 66 plates 510
1 x 69 plate 530

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It's a con don't waste your money simples