Monthly Archives: March 2023

Recipe For Happy Clients In Auto Transport: Quality Customer Service And Professionalism

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Have you ever found yourself caught in the middle of a big mess?

When answering the phone you never know what challenge will be on the other end. Will it be a logistics problem or someone with a time issue? Will it be on your shoulders to fix the problem or another party’s responsibility?

Our company has two divisions at this time. One is a full service dispatch center for auto transport carriers. The second one is the brokerage for coordinating client auto transports.

Today’s challenge was a phone call from a dispatcher for an auto transport carrier who had not done her job correctly. We were not the broker nor the dispatch center involved. What was her problem and how could we help?

She had accepted a load (a vehicle) to transport to a small northern California town. Her contract noted the exact pick up and delivery addresses as well as the vehicle description and rate for the load. What she did not do was verify the delivery location, big costly mistake.

Long after the driver had picked up the vehicle, we are talking days and hundreds of miles; she discovered that her driver could not get to the customers delivery address. In fact, he could not get within 200 miles of the customers location. Department of Transportation sets laws for highway safety. In this case, the length of the truck and trailer were too long and could not travel this route.

As a courtesy, we provided several options to help her solve the problem. However, she had accepted a rate that would not cover the cost to deliver to the customer. This left her scrambling to find an acceptable solution so she could keep her driver rolling.

Many auto transport brokers and dispatchers would have blown off her request for help. They would have told her that her problem was not their problem. They would be right.

However, there have been times in the past that carriers have helped me out with information. After all business in the auto transport industry is a true learning experience every day. So today was my turn to reciprocate, to help a fellow carrier in need.

Do not let what happened to Mr. Auto Transport Client happen to you. Let us address several issues regarding what happened to this customer and the less than professional service he received. We will look at how a broker should serve their client for quality and professional customer service.

The auto transport broker’s job is customer service.

The primary job of an auto transport broker is to coordinate the transport of the customer’s car. It may sound simple enough, but there are steps one must follow to do the job right.

The first rule is to never, ever assume anything. Remember what the word assume stands for – makes an “ass” out of “u” and “me”. Questions are the broker’s best friend.

The customer cares primarily about the price, timing and care of their car transport. The broker needs to keep all customers needs in mind when competing for the job. Price is certainly a factor, but they also need to keep in mind contracting with a quality carrier. This will ensure the kind of service their customer demands and deserves.

Properly quoted transports can be tricky.

There are different factors the broker must look at to quote a transport. To provide the customer with a quote that gets the job done it must be fair and honest.

Vehicle information is one of those key factors. Manufacturers change many details of cars each year like weight, length and sometimes height. All of these points can make a difference to the car carrier when putting together a full load.

Another key piece of information is the location of pick up and delivery. Remember, auto transport carriers do not drive “as the crow flies”.

Therefore, when mapping the route the broker needs to be sure where the car is located and where it needs to deliver to, exactly. When contacting the carrier it is to everyone’s advantage to be upfront with ALL of the details. This may sound funny, but it can create a big mess like the one we encountered today.

Auto transport carrier has responsibility, too.

Another layer of responsibility lies with the carriers themselves. To cover all of the bases it is the dispatcher’s job to check each location, pick up and delivery. They may not know all of the DOT regulations, but their driver will or should.

The driver and dispatcher must work together, as a team. The dispatcher should know the working space of the driver’s trailer. Knowing the varying makes and models of the cars will help him/her be able to load the truck for maximum business profits.

Once a broker dispatches a vehicle to the carrier’s company, they have a signed, legal contract for services. The unit, locations and the price is agreed upon in the contract. All research needs completing prior to accepting the load.

When each party completes their piece of the job properly it works like a well-planned recipe. When you do not leave any ingredients out of the mix, it makes for the perfect creation. On the other hand, just like leaving out eggs in a soufflé…it will end in disaster every time.

This is what happened to Mr. Client today. The broker did not map out the delivery location making sure they contracted with a carrier capable of finishing the job. The dispatcher did not verify the delivery location to make sure her driver could get there either. The driver did not know the DOT regulations for this highway route.

Not only were the eggs left out, there was no flour, oil nor sugar! Mr. Client paid for “door to door” service and instead got no service.

We are so thankful for the professional manner in which we learned to operate our business. Our customers may pay a little more, but they love the service they receive. They do not have to drive 200 miles to pick up their car.

Our passion is to train up a new breed of auto transport broker, true business owners who take pride in providing their customers with quality customer service. We are searching for entrepreneurs who want to be part of making a real change in the industry for a better tomorrow for all families, including theirs.

Motorcycle Saddle Bags – The Fascinating History Behind Them

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As one adage teaches, “We cannot know where we are going until we know where we have been.” While saddlebags help us to get where we will go, where have motorcycle saddlebags “been” in the past? We cannot fully appreciate today motorcycle saddle bags, without knowing about the history of these convenient sacks. Learning this history provides us with a deeper appreciation for both motorcycle riding and motorcycle culture.

Saddlebag basics.

Today, motorcyclists have made saddlebags the most popular way to tote everything-but-the-kitchen-sink, when they travel. Two primary types of saddlebags exist:

1. Throw-over saddlebag

2. Hard-mount saddlebag

Motorcyclists began using throw-over saddlebags during the first years of the 1950s. Within time, hard-mount saddlebags evolved from the throw-over saddlebags.

Better bags for bigger bikes.

In the 1960s, the motorcycle business started to skyrocket, which spawned the development of luggage for bikers. In particular, hard-mount saddlebags became more popular than throw-over saddlebags. Motorcycles began to grow in size, while cyclists’ journeys grew in distance. Cyclists in America were not content to ride around town. They began trekking from city to city, and even from shore to shore. Thus, they required motorcycle luggage that was more durable and trustworthy.

Through a single practice, both the form and function of motorcycle saddlebags improved. Many motorcyclists drilled numerous holes into their cycles’ rear fender. This allowed them to bolt the motorcycle saddlebags onto the frame of the bike. The motorcycles’ function improved, as they became more reliable. Furthermore, this practice made the saddlebags more attractive. Ultimately, the improved appearance and practicality of the bags made them more popular among motorcyclists.

The big business of saddlebags.

As is often the case, an industry improved upon and commercialized the original concept of the first attachable saddlebags. They began manufacturing motorcycles with struts, which allowed cyclists to avoid drilling into the cycle frame, before bolting on saddlebags. Within time, manufacturers improved the struts, so bikers could attach additional accessories to them.

Japanese motorcycle manufacturers began to improve further upon the saddlebags’ usage. They altered the overall designs of their bikes, to accommodate for the saddlebags. In addition to changing the frame of the motorcycle, they also focused on more minor details. For instance, they modified the structure of their motorcycles, by ensuring that the turn signal did not obstruct the position of the saddlebags. That had been a particular problem with smaller cycles.

Hardness or flexibility?

Then in the 1980s, motorcycles continued to become bigger, and riders continued to take longer voyages. The industry responded to this need, by producing fiberglass saddlebags. Manufacturers oftentimes bundled these saddlebags with the motorcycles, which boosted the sales of the cycles. The increased durability and flexibility of the new saddlebags further improved the quality of motorcycling.

Today, leather saddlebags have generally become more popular than the sturdier fiberglass saddlebags. The reason is that the former provide bikers with more opportunities to customize their motorcycles. In fact, even the color of many of today leather saddlebags complements the color of the motorcycle.

Motorcycle saddlebags have evolved greatly from their humble beginnings. Yet they have retained their main function of adding convenience to motorcycling.

Toilet Partition Hardware For the Small Business Owner

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How do I purchase toilet partition hardware? Toilet partition hardware is typically purchased in one of two ways: either through a general contractor or through a toilet partition hardware supplier such as our company. In either case, your supplier or contractor should work with you to identify your needs, work within your price ranges, and make sure all installed equipment is up to code.

How do I know what toilet partition hardware I need? Your supplier should be able to assist you fully in making your purchasing decisions. If your business is near the supplier from whom you are purchasing, a sales representative may be able to come to your business and assess your hardware needs. In many cases, your supplier will be able to assess your restroom partition hardware needs through examining a floor plan of your restroom.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of working with a general contractor versus a toilet partition hardware supplier? General contractors will manage your entire construction project. Instead of hiring and working with members from each trade needed in your construction project, (plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc.), you’ll work with only one person who will sub-contract any other tradespersons you need for the project. When working with a general contractor, you will pay slightly more than you might if you hired each tradesperson in your construction team individually.

However, if you’re a person who doesn’t know much about construction, working with a general contractor can provide you peace of mind and ensure that your construction project is completed in a timely manner. We typically recommend working with a general contractor in the case of new buildings and comprehensive remodels where more than three trades will be involved. Our company offers both general contracting services and specific restroom partition services.

How do I make sure my restroom is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? In almost all cases, federal law mandates that at least one of your restrooms/stalls be fully accessible to handicapped persons. A good restroom partition hardware supplier will work with you to ensure that you purchase equipment that allows you to be in full compliance with the law. They will also work with you throughout the installation process to ensure that all of your hardware and partitions are installed to code.

What are the advantages of working with a local supplier? In addition to looking at your architectural plans, if necessary, a local toilet partition hardware supplier will be able to visit your small business to get a better sense of your needs. Our company serves the San Francisco Bay Area, and we not only visit our clients’ businesses when necessary, but are available at any time for on-site customer support if you need any after installation assistance with our hardware.

I already have fully functioning, up to code restrooms, but I need a few replacement toilet partition hardware parts. Do you sell and install individual replacement parts? Yes, we sell individual parts. You should contact one of our sales representatives to make sure you are ordering the correct part and to discuss options for installation.

Miami Airport Car Rentals

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Since long, Miami has been a top pick when it comes to choosing top holiday destinations across the world. For everyone who wishes to take a nice vacation to Miami without getting into the hassles of driving and parking restrictions, the Car Rentals at Miami International Airport would be the best choice.

The best thing about these MIA airport rentals is that you do not have to get worried about making your bookings so many days in advance. It is true that advance bookings can always save you a lot of time. However, if the trip has been decided only in a short span of time and you were unable to make your car rental booking, then you have to keep a few pointers in mind when you reach the airport.

You can choose your car rental options at the Miami International Airport’s Rental Car Center (RCC). This is the car rental hub for the MIA. It is a large building that has the facility to hold up to 6500 vehicles. There are 16 car rental companies in the RCC and the building is located only a mile away from the airport.

To reach the RCC, you can wait outside the arrivals of MIA and take the white bus marked Rental Car Shuttle. This has been specially arranged to take the passengers from the Airport to the RCC. After you have reached the Rental Car Center, you can easily compare all the car rental deals and choose the one that suits you best. It is very unlikely that you will have any trouble locating the RCC. In case you do face any trouble, you can get in touch with the Airport staff who have been specially trained to be very helpful.

The charges are almost always based on the distance that you travel each day. Some of the best car rental companies also offer hourly packages to meet the competition. Take a good look at all the car rental companies in the RCC and locate the best of cheap airport car hire in Miami.

Apart from the special packages, there are some special discounts offered for the seniors, students, teachers, police, service, military, government and airline staff. The tourists can pick from a wide range of travel deals offered by the MIA airport rentals.

Miami is a very beautiful place and every tourist will find the warm weather, the nice beaches and exciting nightlife very attractive. Wait, there is also a huge choice for family activities in Miami.

The car rental companies offer cars to match every kind of budget. If you make your booking in advance, you can also make arrangements such that you are picked up straight from the airport arrivals. It is very difficult for a tourist to travel around Miami public transportation and private vehicles.

There is also a light rail system that is now under construction and will soon be available to the Miami tourists. The Mia Mover, as it will be known, will be a permanent connection between the MIA and the RCC. For a first time visitor, this big city could be a very confusing place to move around with so many roads and heavy traffic. It is best for the tourists to take the help of the MIA airport rentals.