Tuffnells administration- Alternatives

[pentel]

It looks like Tuffnells are going into administration.

We used them for our longer items, up to 2.3m long. We are aware of Parcelforce. Does anyone know of any alternative next day couriers?

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

`For a long time those of you that converse with me on here will have seen me post that parcel rates are too low and they need to increase to allow the industry to offer customers a better experience .It is one of the most complained about industries in the country

I think that this is clear evidence that there is not enough money in the job for a parcel company to be going skint in the busiest time the industry has seen in its history is madness
@pentel I promise that I will get back to you in your quest for a new supplier

 

[luke.fermor]

It looks like Tuffnells are going into administration.

We used them for our longer items, up to 2.3m long. We are aware of Parcelforce. Does anyone know of any alternative next day couriers?

Morning, we can help and assist on this, drop me a mail with the volumes and profile of your orders. [email protected]

 

[Mark T Jones]

`For a long time those of you that converse with me on here will have seen me post that parcel rates are too low and they need to increase to allow the industry to offer customers a better experience .It is one of the most complained about industries in the country

I think that this is clear evidence that there is not enough money in the job for a parcel company to be going skint in the busiest time the industry has seen in its history is madness
@pentel I promise that I will get back to you in your quest for a new supplier

I seem to recall this coming up when Ciry Link went bust, nearly a decade ago.

 

[GraemeL]

APC definitely deal with over 2m length parcels, I had one delivered yesterday.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

The first courier to have somebody *on the end of the phone to deal with any delivery issues will clean up.

*Only Parcelforce seem to have this option.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

The first courier to have somebody *on the end of the phone to deal with any delivery issues will clean up.

*Only Parcelforce seem to have this option.

That's us your Lordship
Give me a ring and tell me "your little problem"

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

As suggested APC would be able to help but for large items I would also suggest DX.
I have spoken to two businesses this morning that have been effected by this .
The problems that many face is that their business model is based on Tuffnels pricing and the prices will probably rise among the couple of carriers that specialize in this type of freight

 

[Alex E]

It looks like Tuffnells are going into administration.

We used them for our longer items, up to 2.3m long. We are aware of Parcelforce. Does anyone know of any alternative next day couriers?

If you’re looking at items specifically at 2.3m your likely options are DX or XDP - these will be the natural options for long lengths. If however you’re looking to send a mix of long items and general parcels, I may be able to assist as I’m one of the Account Managers for DHL. Feel free to send me an email at [email protected] with an idea of your parcel traffic and I will see what I can do

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

That's us your Lordship
Give me a ring and tell me "your little problem"

Can pick up at 5.30pm and deliver to the local Parcelforce depot by 6?

 

[MBE2017]

Can pick up at 5.30pm and deliver to the local Parcelforce depot by 6?

You should be more specific, knowing JH, that might take two weeks.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

You should be more specific, knowing JH, that might take two weeks.

The Someday Courier

 

[WaveJumper]

Tuffnells: Parcel firm goes bust with loss of more than 2,000 jobs

Administrators for Tuffnells say rising costs, the pandemic and competition have caused problems.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Bob Morgan]

Tuffnells: Parcel firm goes bust with loss of more than 2,000 jobs

Administrators for Tuffnells say rising costs, the pandemic and competition have caused problems.

www.bbc.co.uk

They forgot to mention the War in Ukraine, WFH Stress Disorder, and the Mourning Period for QE2 - The 'Holly & Phil Crisis' was evidently the 'Straw that Broke the Camel's Back!'

 

[Mark T Jones]

Tuffnells: Parcel firm goes bust with loss of more than 2,000 jobs

Administrators for Tuffnells say rising costs, the pandemic and competition have caused problems.

www.bbc.co.uk

Interestingly the article doesn't reflect the headline.

Pandemic- surely a massive opportunity?

Competition? That's business

Though I fully support Jeremy's view that it appears to be a big game of 'who blinks first' on pricing. With a huge likelihood that others will take the opportunity to hike prices.

Knock-ons?

Loads of price led, small online retailers will fold.

Perhaps a resurgence of b & m?

Oh, and adds to the inflation spiral

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Perhaps a resurgence of b & m?

I hope so.......

Buying online started as a way of finding the same product cheaper. Now it's a way of presenting cheap goods as something better.

I want to go into a shop, assess the quality, size etc., buy it and take it home.

 

[DontAsk]

They forgot to mention the War in Ukraine, WFH Stress Disorder, and the Mourning Period for QE2 - The 'Holly & Phil Crisis' was evidently the 'Straw that Broke the Camel's Back!'

What about Brexit? It's blamed for everything else.

 

[IanSuth]

I hope so.......

Buying online started as a way of finding the same product cheaper. Now it's a way of presenting cheap goods as something better.

I want to go into a shop, assess the quality, size etc., buy it and take it home.

I reckon the biggest issue is Amazon Prime

People are being told you can have free next day delivery

That means they don't value even next day delivery as having a monetary cost so when others want to charge for any form of delivery they see that as "extra" rather than necessary and delivery pricing becomes uber competitive and thus the logistics firms are squeezed.

 

[MBE2017]

I reckon the biggest issue is Amazon Prime

People are being told you can have free next day delivery

That means they don't value even next day delivery as having a monetary cost so when others want to charge for any form of delivery they see that as "extra" rather than necessary and delivery pricing becomes uber competitive and thus the logistics firms are squeezed.

£95 yr is hardly free. I personally am not renewing my Amazon prime this year, in the three months lead up to Xmas, most of my deliveries became 2-3 days, not next day.

Tuffnells are just yet another company who failed to control their costs, it’s happened for many years and it will continue to do so. Another problem with being ultra cheap is you tend to attract the sort of clients you really would prefer not to have in the first place.

It’s three decades since I used to sell for TNT, and I always ensured I was the most expensive on price, but unmatched on service level. After moving to a competitor I realised how easy selling to people as the accepted best quality supplier can be, whilst selling on price mainly is a nightmare, there is always someone willing to do things cheaper.

 

[Bob Morgan]

What about Brexit? It's blamed for everything else.

Too difficult for most to comprehend. Therefore, it comes after Holly & Phil - But, tomorrow that could well be Nadine & Boris!

 

[horseflyuk]

I dont suppose anyone has the holy grail (contact number other than tracking for Yodel Xpect) I have filled out therefrom at least 10 times over the last 6 months and never had a call back. We send 24,000 parcels a year, you would think they would be slightly interested.

thank you

 

[UKSBD]

After moving to a competitor I realised how easy selling to people as the accepted best quality supplier can be, whilst selling on price mainly is a nightmare, there is always someone willing to do things cheaper.

“There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man’s lawful prey.”
John Ruskin

 

[DontAsk]

"A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing."
Lord Darlington - Lady Windermere's Fan.

 

[pentel]

Thanks all.
We do already use APC, but our local depot ( APC parcelrite) seems to have a length restriction of 160cm, even for there oversize category. I will have another word!

Tuffnells are just yet another company who failed to control their costs, it’s happened for many years and it will continue to do so. Another problem with being ultra cheap is you tend to attract the sort of clients you really would prefer not to have in the first place.

It’s three decades since I used to sell for TNT, and I always ensured I was the most expensive on price, but unmatched on service level. After moving to a competitor I realised how easy selling to people as the accepted best quality supplier can be, whilst selling on price mainly is a nightmare, there is always someone willing to do things cheaper.

We didn't find Tuffnells to be particularly cheap.

We payed the extra they charged above all other couriers for the smaller parcels for the ease of delivering the larger ones.

Last month we had notification of a price increase and that they were going to start surcharging for deliveries to London, Devon & Cornwall, The Scottish borders and most of Wales along with increasing all other surcharges, some of them doubling. These surcharges were over £10 per delivery. With all the other extras they charge that made a small parcel to Exeter or London over £20.... Needless to say we had to move all our smaller parcels to another transporter and I suspect others did too.

YE Dec 2020 they made £6.5m
YE Dec 2021 they made £4.8m

 

[horseflyuk]

Thanks all.
We do already use APC, but our local depot ( APC parcelrite) seems to have a length restriction of 160cm, even for there oversize category. I will have another word!


We didn't find Tuffnells to be particularly cheap.

We payed the extra they charged above all other couriers for the smaller parcels for the ease of delivering the larger ones.

Last month we had notification of a price increase and that they were going to start surcharging for deliveries to London, Devon & Cornwall, The Scottish borders and most of Wales along with increasing all other surcharges, some of them doubling. These surcharges were over £10 per delivery. With all the other extras they charge that made a small parcel to Exeter or London over £20.... Needless to say we had to move all our smaller parcels to another transporter and I suspect others did too.

YE Dec 2020 they made £6.5m
YE Dec 2021 they made £4.8m

Hey, can you tell me what rate you are paying APC over PM? they want to cube our large items which brings it to the same price as a pallet. 95% of our items are small and boxes, 5% are wheelie bins that you find outside your house.

 

[jake-slx]

It's a pain in the lower back now with Tuffnells being off the market. They were not the best company but at least could deliver lengths where the rest of the courier companies wanted to deliver pencils and socks and nothing bigger.
We are now looking for some courier companies that could deliver 320 x 20 x 15 (cm) flat packed parcels, weighing 45kg, mainly B2C service.
Any ideas?

 

[IanSuth]

£95 yr is hardly free. I personally am not renewing my Amazon prime this year, in the three months lead up to Xmas, most of my deliveries became 2-3 days, not next day.

Tuffnells are just yet another company who failed to control their costs, it’s happened for many years and it will continue to do so. Another problem with being ultra cheap is you tend to attract the sort of clients you really would prefer not to have in the first place.

It’s three decades since I used to sell for TNT, and I always ensured I was the most expensive on price, but unmatched on service level. After moving to a competitor I realised how easy selling to people as the accepted best quality supplier can be, whilst selling on price mainly is a nightmare, there is always someone willing to do things cheaper.

I know it is not really free but many people think of it as free as they are not seeing it added to that exact order - that changes their expectations and they are then looking at price not quality to the detriment of all

 

[MBE2017]

I know it is not really free but many people think of it as free as they are not seeing it added to that exact order - that changes their expectations and they are then looking at price not quality to the detriment of all

Potentially, but most Prime users I know order despite the prices being higher, they order for the sheer convenience of generally next day delivery. The same items non Prime are cheaper, at least in my experienc.

 

[MBE2017]

We didn't find Tuffnells to be particularly cheap.

We payed the extra they charged above all other couriers for the smaller parcels for the ease of delivering the larger ones.

Last month we had notification of a price increase and that they were going to start surcharging for deliveries to London, Devon & Cornwall, The Scottish borders and most of Wales along with increasing all other surcharges, some of them doubling. These surcharges were over £10 per delivery. With all the other extras they charge that made a small parcel to Exeter or London over £20.... Needless to say we had to move all our smaller parcels to another transporter and I suspect others did too.

YE Dec 2020 they made £6.5m
YE Dec 2021 they made £4.8m

In those two years they operated between 15-25% gross profit, transport is known for the wild cost swings, carriers favourite to help out in times of trouble is normally a fuel surcharge.

At least they gave you notice, one of my most hated jobs whilst working for TNT was ringing clients to explain they either paid for the fuel surcharge or no vehicle would be collecting, no notice, apart from the phone call. Some of my clients had complete artic trailers awaiting collection, they used to be very tough days when ordered to make the call.

The simple fact is most carriers charge too little, because it is such a competitive market. Best of luck in finding a replacement for the larger items.

 

[DontAsk]

The same items non Prime are cheaper, at least in my experienc.

The same items non-Amazon are cheaper in my experience, even including delivery costs.

I will occasionally use my son's Prime (through Amazon Household) if I need something guaranteed next day, otherwise it's a case of shopping around.

 

[CraftedWoodUK]

Hello all, we're looking for couriers for parcel W:16cm x H:16cm x Lengths between 100cm - 400cm with the average length being 300cm. We're a small family business that hand make rustic handrails. DX Freight wont take us on as we are mainly B2C although they were able to offer a contract a few months ago. We've spoken to or are waiting to speak to the main alternatives but no one seems to take on parcel around 300cm, is there any company that people know of?

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Hello all, we're looking for couriers for parcel W:16cm x H:16cm x Lengths between 100cm - 400cm with the average length being 300cm. We're a small family business that hand make rustic handrails. DX Freight wont take us on as we are mainly B2C although they were able to offer a contract a few months ago. We've spoken to or are waiting to speak to the main alternatives but no one seems to take on parcel around 300cm, is there any company that people know of?

Good Morning

I do believe we spoke on the phone last night . If you remember I called you back as I was dealing with some sheep at the time and we were eventually cut off due to my rural signal!
Welcome to the forum
You highlighted that DX are only focusing on b2B and you can only guess that they have been over whelmed this week
As discussed the options are limited but stay with the forum . I would still push your local APC to see what they can offer

 

[CraftedWoodUK]

Good Morning

I do believe we spoke on the phone last night . If you remember I called you back as I was dealing with some sheep at the time and we were eventually cut off due to my rural signal!
Welcome to the forum
You highlighted that DX are only focusing on b2B and you can only guess that they have been over whelmed this week
As discussed the options are limited but stay with the forum . I would still push your local APC to see what they can offer

Thanks Jeremy! Will give them a try an update you

 

[Ruskibeats]

Where have most people gone to - it is DX?

 

[Mattpoole123]

It looks like Tuffnells are going into administration.

We used them for our longer items, up to 2.3m long. We are aware of Parcelforce. Does anyone know of any alternative next day couriers?

Hey, Drop me an email - [email protected] we specialise in next day service!

Thanks

Matt

 

[Mattpoole123]

Where have most people gone to - it is DX?

Hey, Drop me an email - [email protected] we specialise in next day service!

Thanks

Matt

Thanks Jeremy! Will give them a try an update you

Hello all, we're looking for couriers for parcel W:16cm x H:16cm x Lengths between 100cm - 400cm with the average length being 300cm. We're a small family business that hand make rustic handrails. DX Freight wont take us on as we are mainly B2C although they were able to offer a contract a few months ago. We've spoken to or are waiting to speak to the main alternatives but no one seems to take on parcel around 300cm, is there any company that people know of?

Hey, Drop me an email - [email protected] we specialise in next day service!

Thanks

Matt

 

[DontAsk]

Some outfit called Shift have bought the brand from the administrators.

I've been expecting a carpet from Online Carpets. Twice now they have failed to deliver. Each time I get a text the day before with a delivery slot. Each time I ring up it's "Sorry, it's blocked in the warehouse".

After investigating some more, I think what they mean is that it's in a Tuffnell's warehouse and they cannot get access to it.

They didn't offer to re-ship by an alternative means so I requested a refund. From the reaction of customer service when I asked for the refund, it sounds like they are losing a lot of orders.

 

[AlanJ1]

Some outfit called Shift have bought the brand from the administrators.

I've been expecting a carpet from Online Carpets. Twice now they have failed to deliver. Each time I get a text the day before with a delivery slot. Each time I ring up it's "Sorry, it's blocked in the warehouse".

After investigating some more, I think what they mean is that it's in a Tuffnell's warehouse and they cannot get access to it.

They didn't offer to re-ship by an alternative means so I requested a refund. From the reaction of customer service when I asked for the refund, it sounds like they are losing a lot of orders.

Brutal if true for the company (or companies) as they will be getting zero info and massively out of pocket if replace / refund.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I hope the young man that runs this outfit has a big backing as all they have ever done is build a delivery App that does not preform well against other delivery platforms such as Anyvan or Shipley. This is massive undertaking I don't see how they could manage such an infrastructure

 

[Justin Smith]

We deal with DX Freight for outsize items.
It's an absolute nightmare....
I had a bad feeling that their prices would go up and service get worse when Tuffnells went bust because they'd get more work and customers would have fewer alternatives. And that's exactly how it's turned out.

1 - DX Freight are quite expensive to start off with, they had yet another price rise just the other week, but their fuel surcharge is one of the highest I have come across.

2 - Their "residential surcharge" is massive and they frequently apply it when they shouldn't which involves spotting it on the invoice then arguing for a credit, often for weeks.....

3 - They charge a £50 minimum invoice charge, which doesn't even include the fuel surcharge, which is also at a minimum £10. So, if we only get one order which needs to go freight (most of our stuff does not have to go freight) that week that's cost us £60......

4 - They have just started applying "cubed charges" to loads of consignments. We feel particularly hard done to because our stuff is not usually in boxes so the cube charge is unfair as it takes the outside dimensions of any consignment. It then uses those dimensions to assume its in a huge box taking up loads of room on the truck, which of course, it is not.

5 - When stuff gets damaged they have a £50 excess. I have always thought that highly unfair as it's them damaging our stuff then we have to pay for it !