I originally started this blog to provide links to sites which may be of use to potential customers.
for example this bbc website which is about moving house.
Anyhow,
The dozy guys at Blogger don't fully support Safari, (yes I have been a mac user for decades now - never owned a pc) doesn't support the http link feature. I have just downloaded Firefox (free) and it seems OK . I hope I will get the hang of it, and start sharing the decades of experience with you guys in a meaningful way.
In the meantime, here is a link to the bigvan.com site, and a link to the flickr photos of us working.
31.1.07
26.1.07
teamwork
The number of people reaching bigvan.com is at a record, and consequently, the phone calls I am recieving are becoming more bizarre.
Phone calls on a Sunday morning, and late in the evening are becoming more frquent. Questions like 'Do you do removals?', and 'Are you the man with the van?' have become commonplace.
I shouldn't complain, all business is welcome, all customers are important, but already I am harking back to the days when every client was a result of a personal reccomendation, rather than a Google search. I'm pleased with the crews we are using now, I've worked with every member of staff, and I'm sure that they can all work together, to effect good moves.Their jobs rely on it!
Phone calls on a Sunday morning, and late in the evening are becoming more frquent. Questions like 'Do you do removals?', and 'Are you the man with the van?' have become commonplace.
I shouldn't complain, all business is welcome, all customers are important, but already I am harking back to the days when every client was a result of a personal reccomendation, rather than a Google search. I'm pleased with the crews we are using now, I've worked with every member of staff, and I'm sure that they can all work together, to effect good moves.Their jobs rely on it!
25.1.07
blast
Got the loudest tip ever today.
We moved Tanvir & his cousin to East London
(cv flickr.com) he gave us a mini bass tube.
I plan to rig it up in the Luton,
so we can out blast those pesky ASBO kids.
Next step, we need a 500watt amp.
Next time you hear a white van blasting The Ramones
(or Roxy Music, or Ry Cooder),
give us a wave!
We moved Tanvir & his cousin to East London
(cv flickr.com) he gave us a mini bass tube.
I plan to rig it up in the Luton,
so we can out blast those pesky ASBO kids.
Next step, we need a 500watt amp.
Next time you hear a white van blasting The Ramones
(or Roxy Music, or Ry Cooder),
give us a wave!
22.1.07
novice
We had a new lad start today,
he's in his early 20's, part time college boy.
It presented quite a challenge to teach it all over again,
eveything from how to lift, to keeping hands out of pockets.
I s'pose it's not that complicated really,
(see below)
but the first rule is don't hurt yourself.
I've spent time laid up with back pain,
writhing on the osteopath's couch is no fun.
On the whole, I've managed to keep my crews out of harm.
Strains usually happen Monday morning,
or at the end of a long day.
Sometimes clients expect too much, overloading boxes,
which when lifted over and over, can hurt,
or not letting us break down furniture into individual pieces.
The worst one is when customers insist that the removal needs 'just one man'
then lifts without considering the poor porter.
The porter can end up carying well over half the load,
with the client rushing him, and twisting the other end.
It takes some confidence to tell the client to stop it,
explain to him what he's doing, and how to make it easier.
Removal men can work into their 60s
It's technique not strength
he's in his early 20's, part time college boy.
It presented quite a challenge to teach it all over again,
eveything from how to lift, to keeping hands out of pockets.
I s'pose it's not that complicated really,
(see below)
but the first rule is don't hurt yourself.
I've spent time laid up with back pain,
writhing on the osteopath's couch is no fun.
On the whole, I've managed to keep my crews out of harm.
Strains usually happen Monday morning,
or at the end of a long day.
Sometimes clients expect too much, overloading boxes,
which when lifted over and over, can hurt,
or not letting us break down furniture into individual pieces.
The worst one is when customers insist that the removal needs 'just one man'
then lifts without considering the poor porter.
The porter can end up carying well over half the load,
with the client rushing him, and twisting the other end.
It takes some confidence to tell the client to stop it,
explain to him what he's doing, and how to make it easier.
Removal men can work into their 60s
It's technique not strength
21.1.07
rent
There are no magic tricks about doing removals.
Be there on time
Do the work
Why not just rent a van, and do it yourself?
Your life is complicated - you are trained to do your job.
My advice to you is simple;
"do what you do, and pay someone else to do what they do!"
I've rented loads of vans, from loads of places,
even 7.5 tonne lorries.
but, if you're keen to do it yourself,
(I doubt if you'll save much);
rent it
What vehicle do I need?
find and book
collect during opening hours
take documents
check vehicle for damage
make sure vehicle has anchor points for ties to secure furniture
sign to assume responsibility of vehicle
accept waiver charge
drive out of yard - careful 90% of accidents happen in first mile
go to hire shop for trolley, blankets and ties
fill up with diesel
pay for fuel
park near old house/flat
fill van with boxes
plead with friend to help
carry washing machine to van
ditto fridge, freezer, drier, TV, bed, wardrobe...
pack carefully with blankets and ties
reason with traffic warden
drive to new home.
park as close as possible,
but be careful you're not used to driving this vehicle
offload goods
go back because van isn't big enough for entire flat contents
or perhaps is wasn't packed fully
pick up last items
careful with the wardrobe on the stairs
your flat deposit is at stake here
drive to new home
offload careful with wardrobe you're just moving in
squeeze sofa upside down, reversed angle, knee first,
back end up careful into lounge
collect parking ticket
pay congestion charge
fil up with diesel
take blankets, trolley and ties back to hire shop
go back to van hirers during opening hours
check for damage whether you did it or not
sign off
go home to unpack.
ready?
London transit van Centre
020 7635 0978
Long wheel base £62/day
Luton £70/day
Thrifty Van Hire
Carpoint Vehicle Hire Ltd,
020 74031314
Be there on time
Do the work
Why not just rent a van, and do it yourself?
Your life is complicated - you are trained to do your job.
My advice to you is simple;
"do what you do, and pay someone else to do what they do!"
I've rented loads of vans, from loads of places,
even 7.5 tonne lorries.
but, if you're keen to do it yourself,
(I doubt if you'll save much);
rent it
What vehicle do I need?
find and book
collect during opening hours
take documents
check vehicle for damage
make sure vehicle has anchor points for ties to secure furniture
sign to assume responsibility of vehicle
accept waiver charge
drive out of yard - careful 90% of accidents happen in first mile
go to hire shop for trolley, blankets and ties
fill up with diesel
pay for fuel
park near old house/flat
fill van with boxes
plead with friend to help
carry washing machine to van
ditto fridge, freezer, drier, TV, bed, wardrobe...
pack carefully with blankets and ties
reason with traffic warden
drive to new home.
park as close as possible,
but be careful you're not used to driving this vehicle
offload goods
go back because van isn't big enough for entire flat contents
or perhaps is wasn't packed fully
pick up last items
careful with the wardrobe on the stairs
your flat deposit is at stake here
drive to new home
offload careful with wardrobe you're just moving in
squeeze sofa upside down, reversed angle, knee first,
back end up careful into lounge
collect parking ticket
pay congestion charge
fil up with diesel
take blankets, trolley and ties back to hire shop
go back to van hirers during opening hours
check for damage whether you did it or not
sign off
go home to unpack.
ready?
London transit van Centre
020 7635 0978
Long wheel base £62/day
Luton £70/day
Thrifty Van Hire
Carpoint Vehicle Hire Ltd,
020 74031314
20.1.07
charge
No not the congestion kind,
I left the lights on in my van! Yes, laugh - then tell me you've never done it.
Spent hours jump starting, then removing the battery, now it's charging. I had never removed the battery on this Luton before, We've only owned it for 9 months, I figure the previous owner hadn't had to remove it either, as it was rusted in.
Thisis the stuff we have to deal with as removal men. I reckon thathttp://www2.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif this is why you guys pay us to do your removals.
We simply arrive, move and leave. We won't ask you to return the favour, cook us dinner, babysit for us, or expect an invitation to your house warming.
Bigvan; we move then go.
I left the lights on in my van! Yes, laugh - then tell me you've never done it.
Spent hours jump starting, then removing the battery, now it's charging. I had never removed the battery on this Luton before, We've only owned it for 9 months, I figure the previous owner hadn't had to remove it either, as it was rusted in.
Thisis the stuff we have to deal with as removal men. I reckon thathttp://www2.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif this is why you guys pay us to do your removals.
We simply arrive, move and leave. We won't ask you to return the favour, cook us dinner, babysit for us, or expect an invitation to your house warming.
Bigvan; we move then go.
19.1.07
carbon
I just caught up with a friend who runs an environment consultation, basically, he will come round and tell you to turn your heating down, and your lights off!
I'm proud of the results I got getting the local council to start using bio-diesel, (make it yourself) but these victories become history very quickly, so the onus is on us all to keep looking at our footprint. Apparently the average person in the UK produces about 6 tonnes of CO2 per annum.
We're trying to keep it down (our emissions, and footprint) here at Bigvan.com, but sending vans burning diesel across the south of England has its effects. Personally, I feel the carbon emission is the responsibility of our clients, which helps me sleep at night. We're obsessive about re-using, and finding homes for old furniture (- I'm trying to find a home for a surplus printer at the moment). It is time consuming, and impossible to pass this cost on - sometimes we can sell this surplus, which makes up for it, but essentially it means that we and all our friends all have flats and houses full of second - hand furniture. Other destinations are the Evergreen Trust: Unit 1, 126-128 Brixton Hill, and South London Furniture charity, Kennington.
I'm proud of the results I got getting the local council to start using bio-diesel, (make it yourself) but these victories become history very quickly, so the onus is on us all to keep looking at our footprint. Apparently the average person in the UK produces about 6 tonnes of CO2 per annum.
We're trying to keep it down (our emissions, and footprint) here at Bigvan.com, but sending vans burning diesel across the south of England has its effects. Personally, I feel the carbon emission is the responsibility of our clients, which helps me sleep at night. We're obsessive about re-using, and finding homes for old furniture (- I'm trying to find a home for a surplus printer at the moment). It is time consuming, and impossible to pass this cost on - sometimes we can sell this surplus, which makes up for it, but essentially it means that we and all our friends all have flats and houses full of second - hand furniture. Other destinations are the Evergreen Trust: Unit 1, 126-128 Brixton Hill, and South London Furniture charity, Kennington.
rubbish
I got a letter from DEFRA - dept. of Enviroment, Food and Rural Affairs. This may surprise, as I live in SE1, one of the densest piece of real estate outside of Hong Kong and Manhatten. I have a license to carry waste, (old sofas, and mattresses usually) and consequently they think that I may be able to help them plan a method to prevent fly tipping.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm happy to help, but my knowledge of law enforcement. and my skills of enactment are gleaned mainly from parenthood and The Sweeny.
The letter looks like it was written in an office, by a committee.
I would welcome any ideas,
please send them to DEFRA, I just tried myself, but their website is too busy.
www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/current.htm
Now don't get me wrong, I'm happy to help, but my knowledge of law enforcement. and my skills of enactment are gleaned mainly from parenthood and The Sweeny.
The letter looks like it was written in an office, by a committee.
I would welcome any ideas,
please send them to DEFRA, I just tried myself, but their website is too busy.
www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/current.htm
18.1.07
rates
We've spent the last 2 days trying to tidy up the website, and making sure all the Flickr photos were in place.
the phone has been busy, with a trip to Portsmouth planned. Parsons Green and Muswell Hill all feature in planned itinary.
I spoke at length with a colleague re pricing per hour vs fixed quote.
He tells me the fixed quote method is the winner, which will set us on our way to Sh'van-gri la - i'm thinking it's simply La la land, and clients will prefer an hourly rate, as it is transparent, - jury is still out.
It seems the customers who want a fixed price often seem to 'forget' items, or expect us to pick up or drop stuff off 'on the way'- hourly customers know the value of our time!
One of the vans is still full of cardboard - must empty it before the weekend.
the phone has been busy, with a trip to Portsmouth planned. Parsons Green and Muswell Hill all feature in planned itinary.
I spoke at length with a colleague re pricing per hour vs fixed quote.
He tells me the fixed quote method is the winner, which will set us on our way to Sh'van-gri la - i'm thinking it's simply La la land, and clients will prefer an hourly rate, as it is transparent, - jury is still out.
It seems the customers who want a fixed price often seem to 'forget' items, or expect us to pick up or drop stuff off 'on the way'- hourly customers know the value of our time!
One of the vans is still full of cardboard - must empty it before the weekend.
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