tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8555195201026706903.post7917449586155716568..comments2024-01-10T09:35:36.338+10:00Comments on The Shipping Bloke's Blog by Brad Skelton: What happened to "My word, is my bond"?Abegail Madayaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679832387541821169noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8555195201026706903.post-5091402961673386632010-04-13T17:53:35.069+10:002010-04-13T17:53:35.069+10:00I must say we have always had good experiences wit...I must say we have always had good experiences with Rickmers. It's great that Rickmers live their values. Too many companies have nice value statments but it has littel to do with how they approach their business/customers in reality.Brad Skeltonhttp://www.theshippingbloke.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8555195201026706903.post-818033361594251072010-04-13T01:48:46.300+10:002010-04-13T01:48:46.300+10:00here is a comment from the carrier's side (one...here is a comment from the carrier's side (one of the non-offending ones) :). I fully support Brad's comment. Carriers cannot ignore that shippers have long memories when it comes to service failures (whether in good or bad times). We (Rickmers Line) commit to 'my word is my bond', also in our Vision and Mission statement, and live that! We need to be transparent and honest, show tolerance and respect. Mistakes can happen but carriers should be open about it and provide options to get it fixed. If any of our clients experience something different, they can go directly to the President and CEO and definitely get a response. Keeping the word is also for carriers a key to a long-term success. By the way, shippers that have made experiences like Brad described should also seek legal advice. Carriers cannot get out of signed booking notes that easy and shippers have the right to claim for compensation.<br><br>Greetings from Hamburg / GermanyUlrichnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8555195201026706903.post-80951324128575633432010-04-12T11:09:29.884+10:002010-04-12T11:09:29.884+10:00All very true, I experience it practically every d...All very true, I experience it practically every day. Is it the arrogance of certain 'big' players in the market, is it the dedication and commitment of their staff? I think it is both. The mentality of people is not the same as it was 10-15 years ago, the mentality that people would do anything to service your requirements. On the one hand it is a good development if you are providing that dedicated service, there are many business opportunities out there. On the other hand, if you rely on services from a company who does not provide that service, you are caught in the middle. And unfortunately in certain types of industry (like Project Cargo and my Industry, Services related to dangerous goods transport) you do not have much choice but to use the services of those companies. If there is a choice, I definitely go with the one who provides the better service, even if costs are a bit higher. In our industry the costs for shipments arriving not in time is far greater than the higher rate we have to pay.Robert Hoogervorsthttp://www.dgm-aus.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8555195201026706903.post-25838593990463855452010-04-10T13:51:29.426+10:002010-04-10T13:51:29.426+10:00As usual Brad is spot on. My word is my bond and h...As usual Brad is spot on. My word is my bond and having worked allbeit briefly for Brad know the culture he instills in his employees revolves around that.<br>I "thought" I had retired from freight but after 9 months being involved in hospitality management rights 3 "ex" clients finally tracked me down and almost begged me to handle their freight, that was 2 years ago, and guess what I still do. I recently asked my largest fan why do you use me when you know I will charge you more than any of the forwarders based in Brisbane. His answer resonated with Brads heading for this this blog. Its simple "Chris when you say you will do something you do, in over 10 years of our association you have never let me down".<br>I am proud of those comments and the email hangs in my office.Chris Knellerhttp://www.pacifichorizons.com.aunoreply@blogger.com