Harry Monk Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 I was being offered effectively £5k more for the same age and mileage trucks than I was a year ago. In a word, sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldberry Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 If you look after something it will look after you....seriously, if I were looking for a removal firm or even looking for a heating engineer, if their van or truck was dirty and unkempt how would I think their quality and excellence of service be?....just a thought. Or they are really good and busy with not enough time to clean the van. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Monk Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 From TruckNet. I work for boyes or should i say worked for boyes and i can tell you the writing was on the wall for a while. It all started in July when my vehicle i tramped in got reposesed because of unpaid finance ( we were always told the vehicles were brought out right!)and we all knew then that something wasn't right' date=' then the takeover buy tinnelly transport, maintence started to suffer becuase they wouldn't pay for parts, We had a contract with a local tyre company that was never paid so subseqently they replaced all the quality tyres we had on the units with crap, and if tyres were getting low they would change wheels over form units that were hardly used or gonna be sold. It's a shame because before all the crap started they were a great company to work for, everyone got on, the office staff where all a great crack, and would never be on your back, you could leave on a monday morning and not speak to them till thursday for either reloads or just to see if everything was ok. plus all of the lorries were well maintaned and always looked after. I am owed near enough 1200 quid after tax in wages and my personal opinon is i'm gonna have to go to the small claims court to get it. Today was a sad day for myself saying goodbye to alot of guys that have literaly taught me everything i know to do with the industry, and to a company who took me on with no experince and gave me a new vehicle within months of passing my test. But all these things happen for a reason and today starts a new chapter in my life. [/quote'] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNACR Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 I have noticed more 'layby' VOSA inspections recently than during the good times. Also when taking them to the VOSA test centre for 'plating' they have to be clean. I would say the opposite. I don't think we've had so many trucks pulled in by VOSA since the recession. However, they're getting smarter and targeting operators with low compliance or a lot of test failures rather than random pull ins to weighbridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winkie Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Or they are really good and busy with not enough time to clean the van. No excuse....there is always time if you can be bothered to make it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldberry Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 I would say the opposite. I don't think we've had so many trucks pulled in by VOSA since the recession. However, they're getting smarter and targeting operators with low compliance or a lot of test failures rather than random pull ins to weighbridges. There is a specific parking 'layby' close, and the inspection frequency has definitely increased. It's not one of the specific test sites like seen on the motorways. I have not been stopped when passing however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNACR Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 (edited) From TruckNet. All sounds pretty typical. The not speaking to the traffic office for four days might have been good because they're out of the drivers hair but does sound like it might be a but of a red flag it wasn't as tight a ship as it could to be. Having said that, we used to use a pretty big local firm for traction occasionally. They went t1ts up and they had a big contract trunking for a well known parcel courier so another firm took on the parcel contract and they went bust as well. Basically, a few months back the third hauliers to have the contract also went bust which suggests the contract, albeit big, is just unprofitable. Edited November 1, 2010 by Soon Not a Chain Retailer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Monk Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 I would say the opposite. I don't think we've had so many trucks pulled in by VOSA since the recession. However, they're getting smarter and targeting operators with low compliance or a lot of test failures rather than random pull ins to weighbridges. The general experience of truck drivers is that VOSA has changed from a Government enforcement agency to a wheelclamp-type organisation obsessed with raising fines. You may find discussion about this on Google. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNACR Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 The general experience of truck drivers is that VOSA has changed from a Government enforcement agency to a wheelclamp-type organisation obsessed with raising fines. You may find discussion about this on Google. If I was in government I'd probably replace the annual test with four quarterly ones and disband VOSA entirely and leave tacho checks to traffic police - assuming I didn't repeal tacho laws. Local councils could be left to pre-approve any industrual premises as an operating centre. VOSA send me some stupid newspaper affair full of stories about how their staff have been on an exchange trip with Turkish counterparts and other such annoying sh1te. They've started sending it by email now so I don't bother to irritate myself by reading it at all which I guess would be the same for everybody else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All Seeing Eye Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Crikey, when I saw the subject I assumed you were talking about people forgetting to put the clocks back and so ending up at work ab hour early and so found the place deserted! I did that many years ago doh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pl1 Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 (edited) I also thought this was a story about clocks not going back and people turning up for work an hour early. Then I realised this is 2010 not 1985 when that kind of thing wasn't automated. Edited November 1, 2010 by pl1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Monk Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 If I was in government I'd probably replace the annual test with four quarterly ones and disband VOSA entirely and leave tacho checks to traffic police - assuming I didn't repeal tacho laws. Local councils could be left to pre-approve any industrual premises as an operating centre. Yes, but it doesn't matter what you or I would do if the Bulgarian and Romanian trucks operating here are not required to comply with that law. You see them every day on the hard shoulder of the motorway, having just sideswiped a car. "Cheaper to use but more dangerous" would be my conclusion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldberry Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 If I was in government I'd probably replace the annual test with four quarterly ones Why? Isn't the yearly frequency not frequent enough? It is for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNACR Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Why? Isn't the yearly frequency not frequent enough? It is for me. The tests aren't that much hassle and can be integrated with driver's normal work/routes. By seeing trucks every quarter there'd be far, far less risk of dangerous lorries being on the road for any significant period of time. The mandatory safety inspections we have to do could also be abandoned as could VOSA visits to workshops and premises etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNACR Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Yes, but it doesn't matter what you or I would do if the Bulgarian and Romanian trucks operating here are not required to comply with that law. You see them every day on the hard shoulder of the motorway, having just sideswiped a car. "Cheaper to use but more dangerous" would be my conclusion. I wouldn't be surprised if post-Lisbon treaty even if you were in government you would no longer have the power to do anything about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Monk Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 I wouldn't be surprised if post-Lisbon treaty even if you were in government you would no longer have the power to do anything about it. That's why I've retired Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldberry Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 The tests aren't that much hassle and can be integrated with driver's normal work/routes. By seeing trucks every quarter there'd be far, far less risk of dangerous lorries being on the road for any significant period of time. I can see your logic. But it wouldn't be that practical with the current network of test centres, nor for private 7.5 tonne/HGV owners going out of their way every 3 months just to get tested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Monk Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 I can see your logic. But it wouldn't be that practical with the current network of test centres, nor for private 7.5 tonne/HGV owners going out of their way every 3 months just to get tested. Surely it would be cheaper to have the lorry drivers boiled down and rendered, they could become dog food? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
200p Posted November 1, 2010 Author Share Posted November 1, 2010 We need less regulation - we'll never ever be competitive otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShedDweller Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 The "VOSA" inspections are often "Multi agency" .. I got pulled on the M27 a fortnight ago .. in the Landrover .. It was a bit of a shock to be pulled into the services with wall to wall trucks .. It is targeted Via ANPR I was directed to some lovely customs ladies who dipped the fuel tank. They are getting much much cleverer .. I got pulled because I bought 1000 litres of red diesel and (as I understand it ) the oil company passes on the address of all buyers of red diesel .. so any vehicle registered there is an instant pull for Customs .. They are VERY VERY polite .. My guess being that it might be slightly dodgy legally .. Obviously it was not a problem for me .. on the basis that I like to sleep well at night .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldberry Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Surely it would be cheaper to have the lorry drivers boiled down and rendered, they could become dog food? That is certainly an excellent option. 3 monthly tests would put a strain on the middle/upper classes taking their horseboxes to the test centre. That way we won't miss any of the Hunt Meets, and can feed the lower classes to the dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Monk Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 That is certainly an excellent option. 3 monthly tests would put a strain on the middle/upper classes taking their horseboxes to the test centre. That way we won't miss any of the Hunt Meets, and can feed the lower classes to the dogs. The trouble is that the majority of us have been your age before and can visualise you in your bed-sit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNACR Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 That is certainly an excellent option. 3 monthly tests would put a strain on the middle/upper classes taking their horseboxes to the test centre. That way we won't miss any of the Hunt Meets, and can feed the lower classes to the dogs. Horsebox owners would still have to take it to a third party maintenance workshop every, probably 8 weeks, for the mandatory safety inspections. The cost/hassle of this is probably no more/less than a trip to the test centre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldberry Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 The trouble is that the majority of us have been your age before and can visualise you in your bed-sit. Harry. You're visualising? ........ You do worry me......... But you do make me laugh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShedDweller Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Horsebox owners would still have to take it to a third party maintenance workshop every, probably 8 weeks, for the mandatory safety inspections. The cost/hassle of this is probably no more/less than a trip to the test centre. not 100% sure about that .. There are three on the yard and I think someone comes out out and looks at them .. The **** has fallen out of the Horsebox market however .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.