I worked as a driver for Intelliquick for over a year. During that time, I worked very hard for them, working long shifts, 50 and 60 hour weeks. I always made a positive impression on customers, and when I returned as a driver for another company, they were very pleased to see me again. I got along very well with the dispatchers and got to know a lot of the other drivers.
Before I went to work for them, other drivers warned me about Intelliquick, but I heard from a friend who used to work for them that they paid well -- and they did. That is, until they sent me out on some very expensive deliveries and then breached payment on them. I had no choice but to quit.
My friend told me that she had worked for them for years and loved it until they cut ticket prices, and thus pay for the drivers. Like her, I could no longer work for this unethical company.
In addition to non-payment, Intelliquick often shorts drivers by changing ticket prices AFTER the driver agrees to perform the jobs. They had drivers delivering lost luggage from the airport, only to be told by some woman who was in charge that the company was payin too much money to their drivers. This is actually illegal, but there is not much owner-operators can do but suck it in and cope with these unethical business practices.
Let me explain something to you: I'm sure as a customer, you may be happy with the low prices you are paying. But drivers have to pay all operating costs themselves, including but not only gas, tolls, parking, fines, and fees for commercial plates and special DMV classifications. Moreover, the wear-and-tear on their own vehicles is very high, some drivers adding some 2000 or 3000 miles a week! This means frequent oil changes and accelerated maintenance servicings. These add up very quickly.
Drivers don't make much money, regardless of what these courier companies may claim. Please think about these points next time you contract with a courier company. Make sure the drivers are being paid correctly and that the companies they work for are not cheating them. Make sure they are not being given jobs that lose money for the drivers.
Ask drivers how you can help them -- we really appreciate that! It may be as simple as streamlining access to your building, or ensuring that waiting times are minimized. Also be sure that there are safe and adequate walkways, elevators, and ramps, especially if you are sending or receiving heavy or large items. Don't let drivers suffocate in small, unventilated rooms. Don't permit your front desk or receiving personnel vex, annoy, or harass drivers; train them to work with the drivers.
Most of all, when signing up with a new courier service, inquire how they treat their drivers. The money you save may not be worth the penalty in human suffering, particularly in these times of the Occupations.
Thank you so much for reading this!
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