Early rush for CM's cost tables
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THE 1979 edition of our Tables of Operating Costs, which includes a rate and utilisation card for each class of vehicle, has already attracted over 2000 buyers.
Operators were queueing for CM's Tables of Operating Costs when they were published last week. Within 48 hours over 2000 had been sold. The enthusiasm for this latest edition of the Tables can be traced not only to their established authority but to the 1979 innovation.
Using the Mercedes Benz (UK) Ltd Transport Consultancy Department, we have introduced a utilisation table. This shows the cost incurred and the amount to be charged for each class of vehicle at various mileages, running one to five loads daily and being utilised at 50 and 75 percent.
Haulage operators faced with a customer who wants the exclusive use of the vehicle will be able to show his rate is not excessive. Similarly customers will be able to check haulage quotations against the rates to ensure they are being fairly treated.
The Tables are a must on every traffic desk_ They take the guesswork out of instant quotes and should lead to stable profit margins. Customers need no longer take days to place orders and operators no longer require to spend weeks compiling rate cards. CM has done it for them.
Many insurance brokers and solicitors settling loss of use claims use CM's Tables as a fair basis for calculation. They are based on fact and experience.
The information used to calculate costs and rates is published in detail for comparison. Any adjustment between an operator's actual costs and our published costs will be minimal. CM's costs are likely to appear marginally higher. This is because we have taken everything into account.
It has been suggested in previous years that operators could not charge our rates. We cannot calculate how an operator can stay in business for more than a few years by charging less.
For example the depreciation charge in the Tables is based on inflation accounting, not historic accounting. This makes provision for replacing vehicles in five year's time at the anticipated 1985 price, not today's price. The costs take into account the 1 979 Budget increases and the latest rise in minimum lending rate. The Tables include a fuel price calculation chart which takes account of all possible fuel increases in the next year.
Of great consideration to most companies is the cost of operating fleet cars. CM's Tables show in detail what it should cost to operate cars of four different capacities in four cc ranges. This table can be used as a basis for calculating the cost of private mileage or the cost of operating company cars.
Bus and coach operators, many of whom use the Tables, will find the '1979 edition invaluable. We have published the cost and charge per passenger mile for both classes of vehicles and the bus calculation is shown for two-shift working for mileages up to 1400 per week.
In the explanatory notes we publish how the costs are arrived at so that operators who doubt the accuracy, and we can assure them they need not, can run their own figures through our system.
Newcomers to the industry who keep their own records will find our simple specimen cost sheet easy to copy and simple to use. Copies of the cost sheet can be purchased and we will quote for quantities on request.
The 1979 Tables of Operating Costs are £1.50 each for personal callers at our retail Sales Counter, Paris Gardens, Stamford Street, London SE1 9LU or from I PC Business Press Ltd Sales and Distribution Department, 40 Bowling Green Lane, London EC1 ONE for £1 .75 including post and packing.
The Road Haulage Association at Radway House, 22 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1 OES can supply its members direct from its special bulk supplies.
Organisations or companies wishing to order in bulk should request a quotation from The Publishing Director, Commercial Motor, Dorset House, Stamford Street, London SE1 9LU. Bulk quantities 'are 50 or more copies.