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Iteellang • • • • With reference to the BRS letter concerning costs of breakdown services (CM August 26), the comparison quoted has fallen into the error of applying one company's charges to another's performance.
The only valid comparison is the net cost to the customer for similar jobs. For example, on two occasions recently we have done jobs in the price range quoted (which significantly is 25 per cent above our average). Each entailed a night call-out and subsequent tow back to its own depot.
In one case an AEC tanker necessitated a round trip of 110 miles, the other, a TK, for 102 miles. The net costs to our customers were £61.05 and £48.84. The same jobs at BRS rates would have been £108 and £99. Again, using BRS average of 32 miles round trip, how much would five gallons of fuel cost at night — by us £18.31, by BRS £42.30.
But generally speaking, we feel that the 27 per cent differential in recovery costs between BRS and ourselves (CM August 12) is about right. We don't intentionally undercut BRS Rescue, we just want to provide a top quality service at economic rates.
A price war would do nothing for anybody and the end loser would be the haulier. In any case, marginal variance in price can be completely outweighed by the quality and efficiency of the service. We are willing to be measured by our performance, and rely on next year's renewals to prove the point. F. F. R. CLARKE, General Manager, Nationwide Breakdown Services (Commercial) Ltd, Bradford.