The fine art of backloading

The exchange allows subscribers to specify whether a load is a hotshot or a backloads when posting a new Goods to Move. This is a quick way of giving the potential sub-contractor an idea of the rate payable and the 'expectation' on a job ie. whether a dedicated vehicle is required or the company offering the load is prepared to wait for a cheaper price that may be co-loaded with another consignment or slower delivery to tie in with the sub-contractor's existing schedule.

Over the years there has been a great deal of debate as to what constitutes a hotshot or backload!

The exchange is a marketplace, governed by the usual laws of supply and demand, so it is impossible to set a 'national' rate for either type of job. Clearly, the rate which a courier will run for is determined by a host of factors.

We don't condone running at a loss - all members should be fully aware of their operating costs including fuel, wear and tear, insurance, consumables such as tyres, oil etc, labour, servicing, depreciation and other general overheads. Mileage cost tables for different vehicle sizes are published regularly by the trade magazines such as Road Transport & Commercial Motor (although we have often felt that they don't take a typical courier's annual mileage into account).

The point is that clever use of backloads can create extra profit for couriers and hauliers, that often gives rise to a 'win-win' situation for both the job poster and the sub-contractor.