Delivery drivers woes....

[BuzzStPoint]

I order pool chemicals usually once a month.
for the last couple of month he's been complaining about the bushes in the back.

It's a back door to a pool room (hotel). There's a small patio out there and a bush line for kinda privacy.

We he's been writing on the invoices for us to cut our bushes.
Last month he wrote on the invoice again and told the gal at the desk if we dont cut a hole in the bushes he's not delivering.

Friday the company calls for my order. I place it. Tuesday is delivery day. He calls today and doesn't want to speak to me but tells the front desk that he's coming tomorrow and is concerned about his filling hose and needs to have the bushes cut so he and his equipment can fit in through. If it's not, then he's not delivering our order...


Now I'm agitated. So I call my sales guy and start talking to him and ask if he is aware of the delivery issue. He said no, I told him the guy isn't happy delivering to our property.

Said if he doesn't want to go through the back pool door, (they use the property next door, then run a hose to fill chlorine in my barrels) he'll have to wheel my 3 barrels out the back parking lot, fill, rinse and wheel in. It's up to him..

My sales guy told me not to worry about that. He'll take care of it.
The salesman knows I have 2 other companies that have been knocking on the door for about 7 years now for my business. The delivery guy probably doesn't know that..
Actually one of the other companies we used to use, but switched. So if the delivery driver decides not to deliver, I make one call and I'll have my chemicals.

But my Sales guy is a cool fella and will take care of it.

Ok, Rant over....

 

[avenger79]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

this has potential to be a good thread to watch. delivery guy could very well cop an attitude and do things his own way. keep us informed.

 

[dave11]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

Economic boycott. Buy your chemicals from another supplier for a while.

 

[JB]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

Cut the danged bushes.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

Cut the danged bushes.

exactly what I was thinking!!

Cheers
Phillip

 

[aspeck]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

Cut the danged bushes.

What I was thinking also. If the bushes need cut for access, they why demand that he do something different to get around the access point? Seems to me you would want to make the delivery guys access as easy as possible to get him in and out fast and not have to deal with him.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

Install a gate

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

What I was thinking also. If the bushes need cut for access, they why demand that he do something different to get around the access point? Seems to me you would want to make the delivery guys access as easy as possible to get him in and out fast and not have to deal with him.

When they started delevering it was done they way the 1st company did it. They pulled the containers out the back hallway door. Filled, and rinsed. Wheeled them in and all was good. This company did the same thing. The previous driver mentioned to me once that it would be tons easier if we were able to pull the hose to the chem room.. I said you can't pull that hose through our carpets...

So we came up with an idea, got permission from the hotel next to use to use there driveway. They climb 3 foot rock burm, then go through the patio.. The only thing that "hides" this patio is the bushes.

Seems to me that having 1 bush missing in this line would look silly.
Now this newer driver (been delivering for a couple of years) Now has an issue with doing this...

Whats next if I cut the bushes? Build a ramp or stairs for the guy so he doesn't have to climb the rocks?

I dont want to sound like an ***. But this Chemical company works for me. We pay a higher price then of the other companies. I stay with them because I like the company and people. I would hate to see a delivery driver have a bug up his *** thinking he can push around clients.

Install a gate

A covered fence and gate was suppose to be installed by the back patio when the property was built. But restrictions with city ordinances and how close this is to the property line prevented this.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

Well, that makes a little more sense now that the whole scenario is explained. Is there a way you can trim them without cutting a whole bush out?

I understand they work for you, and I am all about the principle of the thing. However, I know for myself sometimes I will "cut off my arm to save my finger."

The company should be jacked at the delivery guy for acting this way, but if you enjoy their product and front end service, maybe that means you have to work a little with the delivery end, also. I am not saying you are wrong in your wanting to stick to your guns, and I understand you want to hide the back of your property from the neighboring hotel. I don't blame you. Just take a deep breath, step back, and examine the situation from all sides. Is there a win-win solution? Look at it from all angles, not just yours. You might be surprised at the solution you can come up with and EVERYONE will be happy.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

I did thin the bushes a little bit.

I think there might be an issue because bushes grow, and get taller. After 11 years, they are now about 4 feet tall. People like the privacy.
The company itself is great. If I got a problem, I can call my sales rep and they will help me solve an issue with chemical or equipment. From the parts guy, down to the owner.

The delivery is today. We'll see how it goes.

I didn't mention it before but i'm banging my head on the wall since December. I have a 15 gallon Acid barrel. In december i ordered a new one. Delivered, but my old one wasn't empty. S9ince then I've been trying to have them take the empty.. The drivers been telling me it's a mess with the paper work if we dont do an exchange.. So Last month I ran out of acid. I now have 2 empties. I put then next to each other with a note please take both. I get my new barrel. But only one empty is gone.. Grr. My pool chem room is also my office. There's not much room. Yeah I could just take the barrel out and store is someplace else. But why can't he just take it... At this point I dont want the deposit back. I just want the barrel gone.

Hope fully with the bushes the problem will be gone and he'll take the barrel.

We'll see.

 

[angus63]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

I order pool chemicals usually once a month.
for the last couple of month he's been complaining about the bushes in the back.

It's a back door to a pool room (hotel). There's a small patio out there and a bush line for kinda privacy.

We he's been writing on the invoices for us to cut our bushes.
Last month he wrote on the invoice again and told the gal at the desk if we dont cut a hole in the bushes he's not delivering.

Friday the company calls for my order. I place it. Tuesday is delivery day. He calls today and doesn't want to speak to me but tells the front desk that he's coming tomorrow and is concerned about his filling hose and needs to have the bushes cut so he and his equipment can fit in through. If it's not, then he's not delivering our order...


Now I'm agitated. So I call my sales guy and start talking to him and ask if he is aware of the delivery issue. He said no, I told him the guy isn't happy delivering to our property.

Said if he doesn't want to go through the back pool door, (they use the property next door, then run a hose to fill chlorine in my barrels) he'll have to wheel my 3 barrels out the back parking lot, fill, rinse and wheel in. It's up to him..

My sales guy told me not to worry about that. He'll take care of it.
The salesman knows I have 2 other companies that have been knocking on the door for about 7 years now for my business. The delivery guy probably doesn't know that..
Actually one of the other companies we used to use, but switched. So if the delivery driver decides not to deliver, I make one call and I'll have my chemicals.

But my Sales guy is a cool fella and will take care of it.

Ok, Rant over....

Wow, we've been wrong this whole time!!!!

One hose in the bush is worth THREE barrels in your hands.

Whoda thunkit....

 

[avenger79]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

so now two issues with delivery guy? if the issues are legit as you say, then I guess I would contact a new delivery co. get it in writing how they will deliver. call your present co and tell them thanks but you'll be doing business elsewhere due to problems with the delivery's. yes it sucks to possibly affect someone's job, but, it was he who apparently didn't enjoy doing his job enough to bring his A game on every delivery. It's a tough world out there right now, and if you don't want to be the best there is someone standing behind you who does.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

The barrel isn't really a big issue. It's more of an annoyance issue.
If he doesn't take it, it's no big deal. Just one of those things when you ask, he tells you a reason why he can't/doesn't want to take the empty because of a paper work issue. I dunno.

Depending on how big his route is today will determine when he gets here. I hope he comes when I'm here so we can work out the issues.

I'm not one to scream and holler and shove people around. But I wont be pushed.

 

[rbh]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

Is there any way you can make access any easier for the delivery guy???
Sounds like it is a pain in the butt to fill those barrel's of yours.

 

[funk6294]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

If he is complaining over not wanting to do the paperwork then I think it is time to talk with your account rep again. Let him know what you have done and that this guy is being a PITA about taking care of your account and you would like a new delivery guy or you will use a new chemical company. If the sales rep values your bussiness he will have this taken care of, otherwise its on to plan B which is a new company. Screw the delivery guy he is clearly not interested in your account, but at least give your rep a chance to make it right.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

Is there any way you can make access any easier for the delivery guy???
Sounds like it is a pain in the butt to fill those barrel's of yours.

It is a pain to fill them.
The back door just leads to a patio. The whole back part of the hotel is landscaping rocks. Not a public area. Except for the patio area but is only accessible through the pool door. So really the only other option for him would be to wheel the 2 15 gallon drums, and 1 65 gallon (which I only put 30 gallons in max) out the side/back hall door. This leads to the side parking lot. He can fill there (like they used to) then rinse the tanks off with a hose we provide. Wheel them back in..

I like the sales rep. He's a nice guy, and works with me when ever I have an equipment or chem problem.
I did call my sales rep yesterday and spoke to him. He said he'd take care of it. He may have talked to him but we'll see what the driver will do.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

Call the other 2 companies.
Verify that they will comply with your delivery requirements, etc.
Tell them the first one that puts a new Vizio in your living room gets the contract.
Take the acid bottle to the old company and drop it on their front steps.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

Call the other 2 companies.
Verify that they will comply with your delivery requirements, etc.
Tell them the first one that puts a new Vizio in your living room gets the contract.
Take the acid bottle to the old company and drop it on their front steps.

A Vizio would be nice!!

The other major company I know will. He comes in once a year for the last 6 years wanting my business. We sit and talk awhile shoot the breeze for awhile. Not just the sales rep, he's the owner.
The other company I know will too. They were the 1st company we went with when the hotel opened. We switched to out current company because they supply parts as well.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

The driver came to deliver the order.

He was very nice, polite, filled the chlorine and dropped off my part.
We talked about the heat and humidity for a bit. Then I asked him to take the empty barrel.. "yeah I can take that".

Looks like the talkin to worked.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Delivery drivers woes....

Glad it all worked out. Just want to say that it seems the delivery driver doesn't understand the value of customer service (although he may now). He was asking you to do something against what your customers prefer, forgetting that you are his customer. I had a situation with a long time supplier, and I told him I would not lower the standards that my customers expect from me, and he shouldn't ask me (his customer) to. I now have a new supplier. Because it was the delivery driver, he gets cut lots of slack in understanding customer service. Had your salesman asked you to accommodate the driver, I'd have been telling you to move to another supplier.