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Hmm. Thanks for your comment.

I don't think CX can automatically rate payment. That would be very dangerous and probably unjust. I don't believe it is simply a ""Shipper's Market". I am sure some people will not like negative feedback....but if someone is consistently paying late I do not wish to work for them. If a Shipper unfairly leaves negative feedback about me in retaliation I would be straight on to CX. If leaving neutral or negative feedback be factual and fair and NEVER make personal comments. Only do so when you are calm.

Wise words great mate. I certainly resent the time spent chasing them.

I am using a peugeot expert

Yes indeed, however, there is no agreed standard for waiting time on the C Ex and different shippers have different rates. £15ph is fair and largely typical but be aware that some will pay more.... and sadly a few shippers can be very very difficult about waiting time.

I personally like to have all fees set clear before I accept, and never had issues with clearing it with shippers. Also I charge depending on how inconvenient wait time is. Plus I would definitely expect people with higher daily running costs such us bigger vans to charge more. My charge varies between £15 and £20 an hour. When I'll get bigger van it'll go to £20-£25. First 30min free.

Update cx as soon As on site,my charges are £25 per hour ,12.50 per half hour .never had a problem

@marksmith4851 what size of van you're using bud?

@ xlwb

Hmm.....might be worth investigating Audible. Yer know there was a fantastic reading of "Rogue Male" back in the dark ages on Radio 4 that I would love to hear again. Written by Geoffrey Household if I remember. Such a brilliant book.Rather sadly he wrote a sequel years later which was just ghastly. Ahhh...further research shows that it was read by Michael Jayston. Sadly not on BBC Sounds for download....but if anyone knows where it may be please shout!!!!

Possibly it's the glasses. Wouldn't know I never went.

Hi, No I am not upset when I lose. You have missed the point. I am surprised that some bid so low that they "bid against themselves". I believe there are people massively under bidding completely needlessly which hurts them far more than me. I really don't expect to win every bid.

It's entirely up to individuals if they wish to request a cancellation fee. When a driver is booked they refuse other work. I would not always request a cancellation fee it depends on the circumstances, however, mostly I would and believe other drivers should too. EACH TO THEIR OWN THOUGH. Be aware that load cancellations often undermine trust.

Well, that really is interesting Paul!!! My own data reflects this too. Unsurprising when you think about it though. If only they would see that the whole 45 day thing leads to lower service levels in so many ways and actually hurts them more than us. Thank you for such a brilliant comment

Glad you.liked it because it was very much made personally for you...but it also helped me think about what Shippers want out of us. I think more focus on what Shippers want will improve our service to them and increase our earnings...so maybe a couple if videos coming on that theme. One love, Andy

@ haha thanks for the personal service! Yes, you are right that we should think of the shippers and see how we fit into their world. Great idea! Will stay tuned for your next videos.

Sharing a van is an interesting idea but would take a lot of trust. It's a thought..but would test most friendships. However, shelling out to join CX and then doing something else as well makes no sense to me. Either do it or don't.

@andyhollinshead9293 in case of sharing vans, I'd say possibly testing friendship, or perhaps a good contract written between two parties. Regarding other jobs, I'd have to disagree as I'm a great example why it could work myself. I'm working 3-4h throughout very early hours (done by 6-7am). The job covers all van costs including fuel. I can't see reason why joining CX and paying £50 tops a week (paid annually) wouldn't be a good idea as a part time and top up earnings even by extra few hundreds a week. And please don't take my comments as negative interaction, just sharing my experience and thoughts.

Not at all. Thanks for clarity. YES !!!! The CX was designed as a back load site and has somewhat evolved. In THOSE circumstances it could work well for you. To be clear you cannot always rely on loads magically appearing where you are and very often have to drive to them so allow for this.

50h a week x 52 weeks = 2600h. £40k / 2600h is like £15 per hour. If you'd take away cx membership, fuel, van costs including insurance maintenance and depreciation you'd be working well under minimum wage. On the other end if you'd work 50h a week but through 45 weeks in a year, do only local jobs and make the £60k its way above minimum wage. I'd say anyone would struggle to give you "yes or no" answer.

I assume you mean making a profit of £40-60k as a driver. I can't really see that happening in a small van or SWB purely getting loads off CX. A lot depends on where you are based. Additionally, you have to remember there are quiet days and downtime is a factor. Loads DO NOT magically appear when and where you want them to.

@@gregoriovicarian5961 thanks for detailed breakdown. Yes, I am now thinking it’s not worth it! If not guaranteed jobs, could be very difficult to make it work.

Guys, politely jobs do not magically appear when and where you want them. There are no guarantees and if you want a guaranteed high wage CX is not it. Many factors can affect earnings.

It is not easy.That said I quite enjoy it. I feel a pros and cons of CX video coming on....

Hi, Thanks for your comment. I did a few more videos on price negotiation and there is a time when negotiation is helpful....but not always. I think the key is to not get "beaten down" or "squeezed".

Hi, glad it helped. If you would like to chat 1 to 1 we could. Let me know if you would like to. I feel my numbers are somewhere about right...but there are so many variables. It is hard to know. When you say new year I must stress that Jan and Feb could be a really hard time to come in. One love, Andy

Glad you think so!

YEET!!!! I really didn't know that. I have looked this up and it seems that if they are properly cleaned they can be reused for up to a year. The two I have in the van are nowhere near that old but I shall replace them in the near future on your advice. Thanks for your help with the 1% plan 👍

Yeah...I certainly need to pump out more invoices!!! Speaking of which I just realised it is only 5 weeks until Xmas. Xmas....didn't see that coming. DOH!!!

The 1% plan is a proven management tool and it is one of the many practices employed by the Mercedes F1 team. They did it on every part of the car...tiny tiny improvements that resulted in a second a lap. The 1% plan was also seen as a big part of the UKs 2012 Olympic Games medal winning success. Sports teams are brilliant at measuring everything and there is I feel a lot we can learn from them in business. HOWEVER, if anyone feels that the 1% plan is not for them then each to their own. I don't know much about 12v food flasks but it sounds worth investigating so thanks for this.

No problem.Glad it was of use.

Hi, I get what you mean by 'Elasticity Conscious" but I would say they are shopping on price not service. I can assure you that there are some top quality shippers out there and they are to use an HR term 'Employers Of Choice' ...The people you would prefer to work for. More power to them!!!! Drivers who co-load without telling their customer are risking reputational damage. I am not sure that strategy works in the long term. Thanks for a well thought out and thought provoking comment 😀

​@andyhollinshead9293 Hi, Poor shippers and drivers obviously risk reputational damage. The problem is that they don't fear it because platforms don't enforce their rules of membership rigorously enough. If they did, you wouldn't see shippers and drivers accumulating horrendous levels of poor feedback.

The beauty of CX is the flexibility of every load, for instance 2 drivers are parked next to each other in Inverness, one is based in Inverness one is based in Surrey, a job pops up to London, who will be cheaper ?? That's not rate cutting or going cheap, it's simple economics. My point is that EVERY load posted on CX is a backload for someone. Decent videos by the way 👍

Hmm....I would say poor feedback is reputational damage. If I was a shipper making it clear NO co-load then I would be most annoyed.

Yes yes yes yes yes. Of course if a route is perfect for you then you may well discount the rate slightly...but you may not need to. My point is that it's bonkers nuts to do backloads at give away prices.

Martin, that is a really good question. Firstly, know your costs AND control them as much as you can. Be guided by the PPM price per mile data in CX. Right now could bea bad time to start as Jan and Feb will be hard. I enjoy the job but it can be hard. Be happy to chat 1 to 1 if that might help but as my wife will tell you I am not right about everything 😀 Some of my other videos may help you. Where are you based?

Thanks for quick reply,I'm based between Doncaster and Sheffield,I've been watching all your videos and various others and realise that I'll never get rich in this industry but think it will suit my current circumstances

Not an area I know enough about. I don't know your circumstances but Jan and Feb could be very quiet Re-watch my Courieropoly video...I do not know but my instinct would be it is getting late to start this year and you may do well to wait until after Feb.... You will spend money quickly when you start and there will likely be a lot less work in Jan and Feb.

@@andyhollinshead9293 CX PPM data is something most of us don't have access to - it's something that's only been included with more recent subscribers (we can purchase it for a fee). I'd be interested in seeing more about what it looks like and how useful it really is.

Just looked - they want £15 per month off of me for PPM data. No chance!

Sometimes yes...but not always. As I said when someone is saying "backload" but offering flexibility and co-load option then it more "co-load" than "backload". If a shipper says "I want it at x price" and nobody bidsyou will often see them raise the price. Shippers will generally try and get things cheaper. If suppliers refuse to supply at that price then they must either pay more or go without. What we are talking about here is "price elasticity demand".

Mate, after working in HR anything is a holiday!!!

Sorry to hear that. A good enough day for me although a bit more might have been nice. I find other people's experiences a little worrying. I am wondering if we are heading into a recession....

Thanks for this. Yes, I am interested in what early 2025 will be like and preparing for a bumpy ride. I am wondering if there are some drivers who may choose to leave the C Ex....and additionally what the fees for C Ex membership will be in 2025. I suspect an amount of change is going to occur but quite what that is I am not sure yet.

@@andyhollinshead9293 Unfortunately there is a "conveyor belt of fools" (not my words - but I get where the comment is coming from) - currently the CX is largely unworkable in isolation - loads of drivers are quitting, but as fast as they leave, new drivers come online.

Yes, absolutely agree. What I would just add for clarity to others is any job we accept for the next day (or at anytime) has to make sense and align with our goals.

I looked into this and from what I can see THAT WILL NOT BE THE CASE FOR MOST OF US. If you are driving a vehicle between 2.5 tonne and 3.5 tonne and driving in the UK you will NOT need a tachograph. If going internationally you will. The same is true regarding CPC. .It will not affect people such as myself driving a Peugeot Expert or similar in the UK. IF ANYONE CAN PROVIDE A LINK TO A RELIABLE SOURCE STATING OTHERWISE PLEASE DO SO. Thanks for your comment. I AM UNSURE HOW FUTURE LEGISLATION WILL AFFECT OTHERS.

Absolutely agree with you Ivan. Things like Waze will give live traffic and more relaible ETAs but Newbies beware Waze is very good at sending you down single track country roads. Always use a sat nav with caution and go "the long way round" if it makes more sense and is safer.

Hi Bob. Glad you find the videos helpful and it is very reassuring that others agree about the fuel issue. Thanks very much for getting in touch.

Thanks Phil. When I first started I always asked "is there anything unusual about this load?" and I can't think for the life of me when I stopped doing that and more importantly why I did.

Thanks Nick. Glad you liked the video. So many of us self employed just ignore pensions until it is too late and we are creating a time bomb for ourselves. It isn't hard to find an INDEPENDENT Financial Advisor and I had the whole thing sorted out with a few phone calls and a meeting one afternoon the next week. I'm really pleased I did this.

@ great advice. Yes, I started a SIPP but need to top it up as you said! And also agree on budgeting! Great advice. Will keep watching your vids.

I set up a little direct debit. That way there is always something going in. Never underestimate 'the power of inertia'. When you start something it just keeps happening.

@@andyhollinshead9293 great idea and agree mate 👍

Glad you like the videos. Thanks for letting me and everyone else know about the death of 60 day end of month invoicing. I was not aware it had stopped so thank goodness. I do realise that load posters have issues with getting paid just like us but 60 day end of month is frankly unethical in my opinion and should never have been allowed in the first place.

Many thanks for getting in touch

Well, I don't know who is actually behind it but it is integrated on C Ex so they have worked it into the system. It is not on all loads. I have seen at least 2 today. I have seen them before though and I think we will see more of this. I don't believe it will drive prices down...but it could cut what people receive paying the commission. I think it's a good option to have. Thanks for your thoughts. Very interested in what you say about credit rating people. The feedback system does this for us to an extent though. HOWEVER, I make a point of working with various companies every week to limit my exposure to non payment.

@ I should also have added I don’t do work for anyone with a cx number higher than mine? Unless the have very very good pay feedback

A C Ex number higher than yours? Does that mean they must have joined C Ex before you? I always look at the pay feedback before bidding.

@@andyhollinshead9293 pretty much, I look at the name as well. An old boss was a great believer in “sometimes the best work you do is the work you don’t do”. I believe this wholeheartedly

I think if people wish to avail themselves of this CX facility they should use it with caution as you suggest. Personally, it's not for me. If I come across a shipper posting work that has payment terms longer than 30 x days eom I bid higher than I would normally. If I don't get the job fine. For some reason, I tend to find that any bad debts I end up with are usually shippers that have payment terms greater than 30 x days eom. 30 x days is long enough to wait to be paid. When was the last time you engaged a tradesman who gave you any time at all to settle their bills? This year, I've had several tradesmen working at home, all of whom expected and received payment upon completion of their work without it costing them anything off the agreed terms. That's how business should be done. I also hate it when, as happened today, having bid on a job, the shipper rang me straight away to give me the work, but wanted to chip me on the price. I told this large shipper they needed to find another driver. They conceded and gave me the work anyway. All for the sake of £5.00. It turned out that the job was for a new customer who was anxious to get the delivery asap. I have never had either a neutral or negative review on CX, and it would seem that this shipper liked my review record of over 900 positive reviews and wanted the job done correctly, but still thought wise to attempt to chip me on the price of my quote. What are your thoughts on shippers trying to chip you on your quotes? Keep up the entertaining videos. Cheers!! Phil

Thanks for being the first to comment which always takes a bit of courage. Me and MeJulie are inclined to agree with you. I'm really interested if anybody is strongly for or against the idea.

me not buying into it to even though i keep getting a pop up of cx on the saying a customer wants to pay you via smart app which is a lie because last i did a job for said company was about 2 yrs ago ...very sneaky cx

Glad you like it Michael. You might like to see my Courieropoly video....

@andyhollinshead9293 Seen it pal keep em cumin great stuff

Well, like I think I said it depends on what you negotiate. If you drop the price BECAUSE they tell you it is ready then you can quite rightly ask for waiting time as they have not kept to their side of the bargain.

Glad you liked it. I think the board really illustrates 30 day end of invoice well.

Glad you like. I certainly DON'T want to put anyone off the Courier Exchange....but I do think it is important for people to understand how challenging the first 12 weeks can be. After that things begin to stabilise.

Thanks. I would say the van looks quite good as opposed to great. The important thing is to keep it clean and make the most of what you have. Regular servicing is important too. I really rate the Peugeot Expert and glad you like the video.

Hi Steve, good to hear from you and hope you are well.

"KNOWING YOUR WORTH" is something I was planning to about in the 4th and final of my negotiation videos so thanks for this Clive. Clive makes a good point on how his organisation operates. However, other organisations have different strategies and may try and negotiate even if you have put in a sensible bid....which in reality could be the cheapest bid they received. Remember...it is impossible to negotiate up from your original bid so try and get it right first time BUT don't try to win every job you bid on or you will have entered "the race ro the bottom" I spoke about.

Thanks. I am very into analysing data. I think it will be super interesting if we all note down every time we negotiate and see what it tells us.

Glad you enjoyed. Check out Negotiations Part Deux. I am beginning to wonder how much negotiation I actually do. I think negotiation is OK now and again so long as you don't get beaten down all the time. It's something to monitor very carefully.

@@andyhollinshead9293 will do mate

I'd personally never considered raising the price. It is an interesting concept. Thanks for your thoughts.

@@andyhollinshead9293 I've done that with work I have no interest whatsoever and happy to lose because I'm soo busy. I went from a £120 a day to £740 a day within 3 emails and 2 phone calls. Always remember, they came to me and as soon as they want it quick the price always goes up because of the messing around that comes with it. This was as an IT contractor btw.

I'm really glad you think they are helpful. Thanks. Getting started can be really hard both financially and mentally and I think the hardest part for me was around end of month 2 and start of month 3.

I absolutely get what you are saying. If they can't be persuaded to accept digital copies so be it. Just a shame that an additional cost is incurred by drivers. IF it is made clear at time of bidding that PODs need posting back I think applying a postage charge would be unfair. INCIDENTALLY, I was going to say it is worth keeping all original PODs until payment is received in case it is ever required. I actually keep all originals for 6 months before shredding. AND YES it is very important to read all invoice instructions carefully if you want to get paid on time. Good points well made. THANKS 😊