Life

[theross]

Don't you just hate it?  I'm sorry to moan but I have to vent.  My family business is a franchise of a nationwide courier company.  However the company has decided that it wants it's franchise's back.  So in they come and out we go.  5 years of ball breaking work, gone.  I'm lucky, I'm a fully qualified sparks (anyone hiring??) but the rest of my loved ones and the money owed out, is bad to say the least.  So I'm selling my standard disco, satnav, kidney, first born child etc.

Anyone else had this happen? Advice much appreciated.

Quick apology to jjsaul: sorry mate but I'll have to let you down on the bullbar.

[Range Rover Blues]

All I can say is check your contract, you might find some of your customres loyalty goes with you, but probably not very much.  Sounds s**ty.  TAke anything that's not nailed down, including the accounts.

[discograham]

Not nice..
 going to do the same to my aunts franchaise in Cornwall..  apparently her lot are going to take back loads of franchaises..  and I can imagine the kind of work youve all put in.. ..
. sorry.. to hear it...

[gords]

Sounds like a chat with a solicitor is in order :shock:

Did they give a reason for wanting the franchise back? Are they doing it nationwide?

[V8MoneyPit]

Let me guess..... CL??? We use them and had a letter a while back explaining their intensions to buy back the franchises over a period of time. I would have expected that they would have to negotiate with each branch to buy them back. Or are they just waiting for the contract to run out?

[discograham]

Let me guess..... CL??? We use them and had a letter a while back explaining their intensions to buy back the franchises over a period of time. I would have expected that they would have to negotiate with each branch to buy them back. Or are they just waiting for the contract to run out?

That's the same one my aunt has a franchaise with ..... that seems to be their intention...

Theross... same company  ?

[waveydavey]

Set up your own buisness and get around your customers ASAP.

With a national company who have that little loyalty to anybody you have a good starting point for getting customers.

[NiceBlueWellies]

Join another network.  The pallet networks are always on the look out for good companies, so would think the same happens in the parcel/courier networks too.  Doesn't hurt to look.

[theross]

Our franchise was BP.  It appears that logistics in this country isn't going very well.  I'd heard what CL were doing but, we were a different company and we were doing well...................................................................................................................... Smelly brown stuff happens I supposse.

[jjsaul]

ross, no worries mate.
when the [PooPoo] hits the fan you gotta do whatevers best.

[V8MoneyPit]

I have no idea about the industry, but is there any opportunity in specialist transport areas? I'm not sure what I am saying really (normal for me!), but I guess what I mean is, is there any specific industry locally that might need regular stock movements? Hope that makes some sense!

[theross]

Thanks for your views and advice everyone, a problem shared is a problem halfed and all that. I've had a couple of interviews and life isn't looking so bad now.  I've still got to sell the disco but may have found a prepared SJ.  Having never driven one, I'm a little dubious but have heard they're great fun.

[abinitio]

Both BP and CL have realised that they have far greater control if the franchises come back in house. I feel for you as I'm sure your franchise was well ran however CL Maidstone was taken back in December and the drivers cheered as the fraschise holder(a total w@$%&r from what I am told) was escorted off the premesis. Wages at the branch were never right etc etc etc.

From CL's point of view, it makes selleing the company alot easier if the franchises are all in house.(though they deny it's for sale at the moment).