RB

RB

Member since Invalid Date
1
Review
3.0
3 out of 5 stars
Average rating

Reviews by RB

CO

Courier Exchange

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3 out of 5 stars

Great Potential, But Payment & Pricing Issues Need Addressing

I want to start by saying that the customer service team has been excellent. A big thank you to Chris, India, Grace, Lisa, and Patrycja, I am sorry if I missed anyone,—I appreciate your support and assistance. That being said, there are some important areas for improvement that I believe would make the platform fairer for everyone, especially for drivers who rely on it for their livelihood. Fairness Between Drivers & Shippers There is a noticeable imbalance of power between drivers and shippers, which has led to rates dropping to unsustainable levels. Many jobs barely allow drivers to break even, and in some cases, they result in a loss. This is concerning because a fair marketplace should benefit all parties, not just one side. Since we are all using the Courier Exchange platform, having clear, fair rules would help create a level playing field where no one feels disadvantaged. Payment Terms One of the biggest concerns is delayed payments. Some shippers take two to three months to pay drivers, yet the platform requires drivers to pay their membership fees upfront for the whole year. If payment expectations are clear for drivers, they should be just as clear for shippers. Ensuring faster, more reliable payments would increase trust and prevent the risk of shippers failing to pay what’s owed. Fair Pricing I was advised that a fair rate for LWB (Long Wheelbase) vans should range between £1 to £1.60 per mile. However, many agencies reject jobs at £1 per mile, which does not reflect the costs drivers have to cover—such as Hire & Reward insurance, Goods in Transit, Public Liability, fuel, personal income, accountant fees, taxes, National Insurance contributions, servicing, MOT, tires, maintenance, and potential breakdown costs. If rates continue to fall below sustainable levels, many professional drivers will struggle to continue using the platform. You’ve mentioned that many jobs go unsold, and this could be a key reason— Agencies are rejecting jobs at .90 per mile, it's insane. Feedback System The feedback system is extremely important for drivers, as it affects their ability to secure future work. However, some shippers do not leave feedback even after a successful job, which can put drivers at a disadvantage. A more structured approach—such as automatic feedback reminders or a required feedback system—would make the process fairer and ensure both parties benefit from a transparent reputation system. Conclusion Courier Exchange has great potential, and with some key improvements—such as ensuring fair pricing, enabling faster payments, and making feedback more reliable—it could truly be the best platform for both drivers and shippers. Until these changes are made, however, many drivers will struggle to make a sustainable living, and I would hesitate to recommend the platform to those trying to rely on it full-time. I appreciate the work that has gone into building this marketplace, and I hope these concerns can be addressed in a way that benefits everyone. Reply to your reply Thank you Right now, the platform benefits everyone except the drivers. Smart Pay isn’t really helpful—it charges 20% of the invoice for early payment, removing any incentive to enforce fair payment terms. This feels like a conflict of interest. Unlike eBay or Vinted, couriers face immediate costs like fuel, maintenance, and insurance, making low-paying jobs unrealistic. PPM should be included in the membership fee rather than having to pay for it. Drivers are being advised to bid as low as 80p per mile, which is unsustainable. Feedback system is broken—shippers promise to leave reviews but rarely do. In the end, lowest bidders win, not the best drivers. I have bid 21 times today 11/02/2025 at £1 per mile which is the lowest for a LWB 4m, but didn't win a single job. This is your platform—if shippers are exploiting drivers, it’s your responsibility to step in and enforce fairer policies. Shippers can’t help themselves—it’s been too easy for them to benefit from an endless supply of drivers providing cheap labor. But this is your platform, and the ball is in your court. It’s time to enforce fairer policies and create a level playing field for everyone. Courier Exchange has great potential, but unless pricing, payments, and fairness improve, drivers will continue to struggle while others profit. Kind Regards RB