Fastway Couriers.

Hi everyone.

Somebody on this forum recommended Fastway Couriers and after checking out their site they actually look really good, plus they're really cheap.

I just wondered if anyone else had used them and what you think of them?

I really wanna use them but obviously wanna make sure they're reliable, trustworty and honest etc. What do you think?

Thanks.

Karen x

 

[Toon]

Yes, I use them regularly and never had any problems.

 

[business123]

Yes, they are good - however you need to watch out if the local franchisee closes down as they won't normally refund the pre-paid labels if this happens.

 

Oh right ok. Thanks. Well I had my local sales rep or whatever they're called ring me earlier and he's coming to meet me on Thursday. Do you know what he's coming to do? Just show me info about it all or get me to open an account or get me to buy stuff or what?

I don't wanna agree to anything just yet as I don't think i'll be up and running until the new year now. I just wanted to buy the stamps as and when sort of thing. I hate sales people cos I find them so pushy.

Any info would be greatly appreciated as i'm new to all of this.

Thanks.

Karen x

 

[Dawg]

Yes, they are good - however you need to watch out if the local franchisee closes down as they won't normally refund the pre-paid labels if this happens.

There is a market in labels, so you can always sell what you don't need.

(This is Part 4787 in a series: "Ain't Capitalism great")

 

[Toon]

he will no doubt be coming just to tell you what he can do for you. Obviously he will tell you he can open an account for you there and then but you can always so no He won't be a salesperson as such but more of a courier but he is self employed and will want you to sign up so he gets paid.

 

So the account won't cost anything and it's just so I can have my own account number or something with my card details on file so I can ring up whenever to get my stamps for the parcels and they can just take it out of my acocunt like a direct debit thing?

Karen x

 

[Toon]

It's been a while since I signed up but I presume you'll only set up an account when you want to start. Your courier will then come out and give you your books. I just pay mine by cheque.

 

[Paul Imagetovector]

I used to use this company a few years back, its is great idea in principal. You need to buy the tokens/vouchers up - the problem being the guy (franchisee) stopped trading in my area and we lost the money paid upfront.
I know the likelihood of this happening again is slim though be careful.

Paul

 

[business123]

Yes no account, just pay up front for a book of 25/50 labels to use their service.

 

Well like with my product suppliers, I don't want a credit account. I just want to pay up front for what I want when I need it. Obviously I don't want to buy too much too soon. I just don't want him to confuse me with jargon and make me do something i'm not compfortable with. I'm not very confident in speaking when I don't want something.

My bf is gonna be there cos he understands things better than me so he can explain stuff to me afterwards. Hope all goes well.

Karen x

 

[vitalchip]

Would you let us know how it goes? I'm thinking about using them too!

 

Yea will do. x

 

[Dawg]

Be aware of where they do and do not deliver. London is basically a no-go area, (no franchises sold), and there is a dry spot around Oxford.
The west of the country is basically not well covered either. As a cheap alternative it can work, (my locals are same day and cheapo cheapo), but get a back up/alternative service in place too.
They are/were having trouble in Kent when the hub franchise went toes up.
There is another thread on this forum about them.

As an aside, they should get their website together. It's crap. At the very least it should have a near real time map of areas covered; I've suggested this but as they seem to be colonial cousins, they are not keen on advice from Olde Country people.

 

[lockie]

Just a tip if you are not too confident around sales reps, write a list of what questions you have and makes brief notes as you get the answers,this way the rep is less likely to try and mislead or confuse you into anything (if they are dodgy) and you also get all the information you are after.

 

Be aware of where they do and do not deliver. London is basically a no-go area, (no franchises sold), and there is a dry spot around Oxford.
The west of the country is basically not well covered either. As a cheap alternative it can work, (my locals are same day and cheapo cheapo), but get a back up/alternative service in place too.
They are/were having trouble in Kent when the hub franchise went toes up.
There is another thread on this forum about them.

As an aside, they should get their website together. It's crap. At the very least it should have a near real time map of areas covered; I've suggested this but as they seem to be colonial cousins, they are not keen on advice from Olde Country people.

This is not true Fastway cover the whole of mainland UK ,if it is not an area covered by there own franchise,your parcels will still be delivered but the ticket price is a bit higher as they pass it on to another courier.

Earl

 

[Chorlton]

1st post, wooo hooo!

They Do not cover all the UK.
Yes they use other couriers in the non-franchise areas but that does not include Scottish highlands and Islands.

Been with fastaway for 2 years.
Franchise sold up 18months ago and had 6 different drivers since.
Each time I'm given their mobile number but when they leave I'm back to phoning the regional office to get the "new guys" mobile number

On the plus side they are cheap, never lost a parcel, or had anything damaged so I stick with them.

C.

 

1st post, wooo hooo!

They Do not cover all the UK.
Yes they use other couriers in the non-franchise areas but that does not include Scottish highlands and Islands.

Been with fastaway for 2 years.
Franchise sold up 18months ago and had 6 different drivers since.
Each time I'm given their mobile number but when they leave I'm back to phoning the regional office to get the "new guys" mobile number

On the plus side they are cheap, never lost a parcel, or had anything damaged so I stick with them.

C.

I did say mainland UK and yes they cover the highlands for a price

Earl

 

[Chorlton]

I did say mainland UK and yes they cover the highlands for a price

Earl

They go to the highlands thats great news shame the Scottish regional franchise don't know.

I had 2 parcels uplifted today (York & Birmingham) and have one sitting they will not take to Inverness. It will go RM at 5 times the price.

My advice is to the thread starter so they may make an informed choice. I do not wish to split hairs with you over their service or lack there of.

Cheers

C.

 

[Strath]

We've used them for nearly a year.. no problems

They do actually deliver all over the UK, but some areas they outsource so you'll still be able to post all around the uk

From off the top of my head its £5.95 for franchised areas and £7.95 for non

 

What kind of questions could I ask him? I've looked on his website and know how much it's gonna be and where they deliver to so what else could I ask. Like I say i've never done anything like this before but I wanna look professional.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Karen x

 

Anyone got any question suggestions for my courier meeting today?

Thanks.

Karen x

 

[Hawkeye1]

Here's the one question that will put him on the back foot:
"If the regional franchisee goes bust, will head office refund any unused delivery tickets that I have purchased?"
(If he says yes; get it in writing)

 

Ok thanks. Will do.

Karen x

 

One question though, can I not just use those tickets? Why would I want them refunded? Would it mean I can't use Fastway Couriers or do they not just get someone else to cover this area? Maybe I mis-read what someone else said.

Karen x

 

Hey everyone.

The guy had to cancel last weeks appointment so we re-scheduled for tomorrow morning. Hopefully all will go well. I'm sure it will though. Just wanna let him talk about how it all works etc and i'll tell him that I will get back in contact with him in the new year when I plan to start buying all my stock.

Wish me luck.

Karen x

 

[Moorland]

Karen


Hope your meeting went well.We have used Fastway for number of years now and have had no problems.We send approx 20 large heavy boxes a week and they are so easy to use.If I want something picking up in the morning I just call before close of play the day before and if i need anything picking up in the afternoon I can call him anytime up until about 3pm while he is still in my area.The only downside is they don't deliver to PO Box numbers.

Nick

 

Hello.

Well had the meeting this morning and I was quite impressed actually. I shall definitely be using them. I don't think he was too happy that I didn't buy anything from him there and then (same as most salesmen I think) but i'll put an order in before the new year starts.

Annoying cos I have to keep remembering to add on VAT. Oh well. Same with every company really. So yea all looks good.

Karen x

 

[KidsBeeHappy]

Hello.

Well had the meeting this morning and I was quite impressed actually. I shall definitely be using them. I don't think he was too happy that I didn't buy anything from him there and then (same as most salesmen I think) but i'll put an order in before the new year starts.

Annoying cos I have to keep remembering to add on VAT. Oh well. Same with every company really. So yea all looks good.

Karen x

Hi Karen

Not scouting for work (honest!!!!) but if you sell items that are too big for the standard Fastway services, then give Boxby a try. There are 275 different couriers & delivery companies registered with us, so we should be able to get you some decent quotes for those big/heavy/awakward items that don't fit in a square box.

Kind regards
Sandra

 

[Just_a_bloke]

Found this thread via Google, whilst searching for contact details for Fastways as they left a "failed delivery" card whilst I nipped out of the office. The trouble with the card is that it doesn't say what branch the van came from, nor an email address. There is however a name and a telephone number which is duff, hence trying to find contact details.

On the Fastways website, there is no easy way to contact the company. Most company websites have an easy to find 'contact us' page, but not this company!

Rant over!

 

[MH1]

Biggest problem for myself with Fastway is the franchisee goes under they do not necessarily refund the outlay, and a new franchisee in the same area will not necessarily either, since your contract was with the old franchisee.

I tend to go through DHL using their various agents, most can do as good if not a better rate.

This might be useful to some people:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=617485

 

[alex4orne]

Lots of warning signs on here, be very carefull. I dont want to diis them but as an ex courier I know a few who have bought the franchise and then given up or gone bust.

No difference to me, but I would try some one else (like boxby or one of the big boys)

If you want to find out the inside scoop, try googling one of the courier forums

 

[MH1]

If you want to find out the inside scoop, try googling one of the courier forums

As a member of two of the main forums for couriers I can assure you alex4orne is a well known name around them. He hasn't overstated the potential risk to yourselves as customers, far from it.

In Eire the Fastway franchise is regularly on the radio etc due to the amount of franchisee's who have gone bust.

End of the day it is you or your companies money, but your only recourse is against the ex-franchisee if they go belly up, whether you have £100 of pre-paid tickets or £10000 of tickets, your pre-paid money will almost certainly be lost.

 

[Dawg]

As a member of two of the main forums for couriers I can assure you alex4orne is a well known name around them. He hasn't overstated the potential risk to yourselves as customers, far from it.

In Eire the Fastway franchise is regularly on the radio etc due to the amount of franchisee's who have gone bust.

End of the day it is you or your companies money, but your only recourse is against the ex-franchisee if they go belly up, whether you have £100 of pre-paid tickets or £10000 of tickets, your pre-paid money will almost certainly be lost.

This last statement is a bit misleading. There is a secondary market in Fastway tickets, and the tickets are not limited to been used by the purchaser. You might have to sell at a discount, currently about 25%, but you don't lose all your money.

 

[MH1]

I was referring to if you wished to use them or have your money back from the company, many people are under the impression they are a national company when in reality you have to base a decision on the local franchisee only as regards financial security.

 

[Strath]

This last statement is a bit misleading. There is a secondary market in Fastway tickets, and the tickets are not limited to been used by the purchaser. You might have to sell at a discount, currently about 25%, but you don't lose all your money.

Do you mean the company buy them back from you? or is there another method to selling them?

 

[vanboy]

MH1,i take it you're on CX and MT van/Link4 couriers then.

 

[MH1]

You got one of them

 

[walford]

We used them but found them unreliable. At the moment they are only delivering in local areas, they have lost their contract with Fedex.

 

[Sinny Print]

Hi,

I use fastway and they are ok ....

Never expect anything delivered with in 48 hours.

The online tracker seems to work as and when it feels like it I think because they are a network of independants passing on to each other it lets them down a bit. Only had one delivery that went wrong and still have not received an explanation.

Price is great though and setting it up so easy which was one of the biggest problems as most companies want full package size weight etc which was unable to provide at the time.

I think you just have to be sensible with delivery schedules.