FREIGHT FORWARDERS LESS THAN HONEST Regularly over the years, one
Page 34
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
or other of the so-called freight forwarders and bacldoad agencies, have taken our industry for a ride. Many names come to mind and I am sure that most haulage contractors have had their fingers burnt on one or more occasions.
Is it not about time that these agencies were required to be registered and to follow a laid down code of conduct.
We must be one of the most heavily legislated industries, yet these people seem to be able to exist, without any control, on our backs. Stupid rates, ludicrously extended terms of payment, one price quoted — a different price confirmed, suspect quoted weights, payment for delays arising from the job — all of these are regular features of our involvement with these people and all the time, there is the knowledge that one or other is likely to go bust, leaving us with the bill. The fact that several of these bankruptcies have been deliberate and elaborate frauds does not help.
Our industry has to toe the line — why shouldn't these people?
Mr Editor, I know that over the years your magazine has been an enthusiastic campaigner for our industry in many areas, I would urge you to promote an investigation into this turgid minefield.
No doubt there are respectable, honest freight forwarders about. I am sure that they _ would support such a move.
Plese do not quote our name. We still have to find backloads!
Name and address supplied
Write to: Dear Sir, Commercial Motor, Quadrant House, The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS.