Frequently Asked Questions
What is Courier Exchange?
Courier Exchange is the UK’s largest online trading network for the sameday & express freight industry – we aim to make our subscribers more profitable and bring better efficiencies in their day-day dealings with other transport organisations. Potential subscribers should note that although our members make substantial revenues from their dealings with each other, you are expected to have your own customers as well. For full details about us, click here.
Top of page
How long has the exchange been trading?
Courier Exchange started life in November 1999 – from a standing start the system has grown into an organisation with just under 1000 paid subscriber companies, which is growing month on month. We develop the facilities of the exchange continuously, often in response to user feedback. We have the highest web traffic of any independent website in our sector – 12,500 unique visitors generated over 4 million hits in April 2003.
Top of page
What does it cost to join?
We work on the basis of a pre-paid subscription, starting from £25.00 + vat a month, which can be paid by credit card, Direct Debit or cheque. There is a minimum subscription period of six months. Unlike some other Internet-based transport systems, there are no commissions payable – you keep what you make. For full information about the various subscription packages, click here.
Top of page
What will Courier Exchange need from me?
Before you start trading on the exchange, we will need copies of your insurance documents (vehicle cover, Goods in Transit, employers & public liability - if relevant). These details will be displayed on your personalised Accreditation page, to show your bona fides. Also, if you have an Operators Licence and other certification, including Customer Testimonials, you can display these.
Top of page
Why is it so important that Courier Exchange is neutral & independent?
Courier Exchange is totally impartial, and favours neither 'buyer' or 'seller'. We strongly believe that this is the single most important requirement for running an effective & honest exchange. Your data is handled with the utmost discretion and confidentiality, and we make no recommendations in favour of any single subscriber. This makes us unique in the UK marketplace.
Top of page
How can I access the system?
The exchange is entirely web-based, and needs no downloads or other software. We have also successfully used instant Text Messaging for the last four years to send job notifications to mobile users.
Top of page
How do we get paid for work done?
The contract for all jobs that you buy or sell is between the respective subscribers – Courier Exchange is not a party to these contracts.
All subscribers have a password-protected TrampCX diary, which should be used to confirm the details of any job, whether you are the 'buyer' or 'seller'. This states the payment terms for the job. The system can also be used to raise a Vat invoice, which carries all the details of the job, including POD information.
Top of page
Does Courier Exchange set the mileage rates?
No – all agreements over price and performance are set between the buyer and seller. Over the years there has been a lot of talk about setting a national rate, but we believe that this would be impractical and impossible to administer. We have found that the market finds its own level – don’t necessarily expect to get a 'hotshot' job covered at 'backload' rates on a Friday afternoon!
Top of page
What should we charge for a job?
That is entirely up to you – but remember to price realistically for every job. There is absolutely no point in running at a loss! We do expect subscribers to behave in a fair and responsible manner in all their dealings with each other – this is a vibrant community where good news travels fast, and bad news even faster!
Top of page
Does the system record our deals?
The exchange offers users a fully-featured order confirmation system, which we call 'TrampCX'. Every job can be booked out through this system, which produces a Purchase Order and complete record of the deal. The job 'offeror' and the 'mover' are both able to see online details of the job, and enter a POD. Weekly & monthly Trading Audit Reports are available for all your deals. All these facilities are web-based, and don't require any software to be downloaded onto your PC.
Top of page
Can I invoice from the exchange?
You can produce an invoice from the exchange very quickly & easily - for jobs you have done with other members and also your own non-CX customers. You will have to let us know your Vat & company registration numbers beforehand, if they are relevant to your business.
Top of page
Do I have to be online all day?
No – but it will help you to get the most out of the system. We use text messaging extensively to ensure that mobile users & subscribers who may be offline don’t miss any offers.
Top of page
Can we submit a job / journey straight from our own courier software?
We have integrated our platform with a number of specialist courier software systems – ask for details. If you would like to see your company’s software integrated with the exchange, let us know.
Top of page
How do we sub-contract a job?
Courier Exchange gives you the flexibility to sub-contract a job in two ways:
i) you can post your requirement on to the 'Goods to Move' page, where it will be seen by the membership, and also matched up with the best sub-contractor – instantly. Our target 'match' time, including transmission, is 8 seconds!
ii) You can contact your preferred courier directly from the Directory, or find an appropriate Return Journey
Top of page
What's the difference between a hotshot & a backload?
This is the jargon we use to describe the difference between an urgent, point-point delivery (hotshot) and a load which can be delivered on a slightly longer timescale (backload) – expect to pay 'full' rate on a hotshot, and around 50% on a backload.
Top of page
What are Return Journeys?
These are empty vehicles that are returning to base after making a delivery, and have in effect already been paid for. We encourage users to log all their Return Journeys, with as much advance notice as possible. Return Journeys are also matched up automatically against any new Goods to Move, so it really pays to let the system know where your vehicles are.
Top of page
Can we put all our jobs through the system?
Yes – the TrampCX Diary allows you to use the system as much as you like. You can enter your own jobs ('Private Entries') as well as sub-contract bookings. The Diary takes you through to invoicing stage. We keep your records for 4 months before archiving them to disk.
Top of page
What notifications can I receive?
Subscribers can choose to receive notifications for all Goods to Move & Return Journeys from/to any county or metropolitan area in the UK, and from/to any European country. These can be sent by email & SMS, as well as being veiwed online.
Top of page
Who does the exchange work best for? – owner-drivers or companies
The answer is emphatically - both! Courier Exchange has numerous users who gain from it every day, and use the system in many different ways. See our case studies for some examples.
Top of page
Can we network all our partners and branches?
We are currently working on a Private Exchange system, utilising all the features on the Courier Exchange. Email us if you are interested in this.
Top of page
What's the Accreditation scheme?
Courier Exchange has operated an Accreditation scheme for over three years. Before a subscriber is allowed to go live on the exchange, they must supply us with insurance documentation and company details including Vat & Company registration numbers. It is up to the individual subscriber to ensure that their record is as complete and accurate as possible. Once a subscriber is live, they can gain a CX Star Rating (see below) based on feedback from other couriers.
Top of page
How do we earn a CX Star Rating?
Once a courier has been Accredited, your trading partners can complete an online feedback rating form which has a weighted points system behind it. The ratings can only be completed by subscribed members, and each subscriber can only rate a specific company once every three months. The completed ratings are validated by Courier Exchange to ensure fairness, and we may invite further confidential comment from the company which has supplied the rating. It only takes a few seconds to rate another courier – there are four categories to complete.
Top of page
Can I tell my customers about Courier Exchange?
Yes, you can use your membership of the exchange to promote your business. With over 900 subscribed companies, representing approx. 10,000 vehicles, you actually have a bigger network than many 'national' companies. Courier Exchange is totally independent & neutral, and does not accept subscriptions from non-transport-related companies, so your confidentiality is assured. Non-subscribers cannot view the company details on the trading pages.
Top of page
How much input does the exchange require?
Ideally, you should view your membership in a pro-active way – the more you put in, the more you'll get out of it! We find the most successful users are companies that take an active role in the community, use the full range of features and ‘sell’ the benefits of the exchange both inside and outside of their organisation.
Top of page