i tried a cpl agencies and they are just lying parasites all working from the same script.you are only a bum on a seat when it suits them,they have a job to fulfill for their own means and will utilise you to that end.i worked for grafton several years ago for a couple of years…every fri afternoon you would get a txt stating next weeks shifts…you accepted or plicked and got replacement shifts…after a cpl months when my toe was in the door,they knew i would start anytime between 9am and 6pm…no weekends.no earlies,no nights…due to tesco traffic incompitence 3 out of 4 tuesday shifts got canceled mid morning which suited me fine as my opinion of working for anything relating to a tesco type job is on a par with homer heading into the power plant. i didnt mess with then,nor them me…just do what your tin says you will do,and start as you mean to go on…if your obliging,then you will only get crap shifts.if you are positive and firm in a proper fashion,then you will get treated better…always assuming your not a complete fanny in the 1st place and unemployable for a real job aywhere else of course…looking from an employer position…a bum in a seat 24/7.no holiday pay,no sick pay,no redundancy,no nothing,and save a fortune…no brainer for them,
Tescos was the only “client” or rather Wincanton that had the contract - where I would not find out until I turned up for work “that I’d been cancelled”.
Anywhere else - you get paid. Snodland? - Nope. It’s your fault for… Trusting Wincanton office staff?
I told the agency “Never to send me in there again” once I didn’t get paid for a shift I’d turned up for, but then got sent home straight away.
“The only rotten apple in the client barrel” with the agency as far as I was concerned.
Dunno why they bothered laying off their full timers really - they are going to be finding it harder and harder to fill “Block driver bookings” as time goes on I reckon. 
All agencies are thieving money grabbing cheating companies who take from everyone, they charge the clients huge amounts and pay a pittance to drivers. Become self employed freelance drivers and stitch the agencies up, I did it for a few months when I lived there, it’s easy, you go to individual companies and leave a card, you offer to work for less than the agency charges but morethan that agency pays you. They will use you believe me.
Had this email today!
GIF ltd have HGV1 tramping container opportunities available. This is an ongoing contract based out of Addlestone Surrey, and Tilbury, delivering and collecting containers throughout the UK.
You will be required to do nights away with this role as it is a tramping role. You’re vehicle will be ‘yours’ whilst working on this contract. Required to go out on Monday and stay out in the truck until Friday with possible run in on a Saturday.
Work Details:
• Monday - Friday tramping, some Saturdays - nights away all week
• Up to 50 hours per week
• £20 night out allowance
• Start date : ASAP October
• LTD / £12.00 ph with overtime after 10 hours each day at £12.50 (£600-£620 a week wages with £12.50ph on a Saturday)
Applicant requirements:
• Essential to hold HGV 1 Licence, DQC and Digital Tacho Card
• Previous tramping experience is ideal
• Previous experience with containers
• Maximum of 3 points with no DR, DD, IN, CD Convictions.
• Registered with Ltd company or via Umbrella company for payment purposes (essential).
Additional Benefits: No accident bonus paid every 6 months and bonus if targets are met.
Agency work should be about temping or doing the odd bit of work, not full time long term jobs! 
I get emails & texts on a daily basis from the same bunch, now I just add any unknown number originating from them to the address book entry for them which is now blocked
Including these 2
HGV Class 1 Job Opportunity - Driving Plus in partnership with Wincanton, DHL and XPO Logistics in Normanton/Sherburn/Castleford urgently require C+E drivers; Full or part time across AM & PM shifts; LTD rates start from £11.48 to £17.93 ph.
HGV Class 1 Job Opportunity - Driving Plus in partnership with Tesco, DHL and XPO Logistics in Doncaster/Redhouse/Tickhill & Worksop urgently require C+E drivers; Full/part time across AM/PM shifts; LTD rates start from £11.00 to £16.50ph.
Winseer:
YOU must dictate the terms on going into the agency for the first time - and be prepared to spin on your heel if you don’t get what you want.
This. When I signed up to the one I’m with after returning to trucking I had limitations as to what I could do and wanted those to be taken account of. I was returning from having to take 5 years off with my back and didn’t want to end up having to do something I couldn’t nor feeling pressured into doing something. On my agency contract I got a line partly crossed out and “Howdens Joinery only” inserted because I said that is the only work I knew I was capable of. I’m on a contract where I’m guaranteed a minimum set amount of hours if there’s no work (Swedish Derogation) but because of that amendment I had made I don’t lose it if I won’t work elsewhere.
Evil8Beezle:
Had this email today!GIF ltd have HGV1 tramping container opportunities available. This is an ongoing contract based out of Addlestone Surrey, and Tilbury, delivering and collecting containers throughout the UK.
You will be required to do nights away with this role as it is a tramping role. You’re vehicle will be ‘yours’ whilst working on this contract. Required to go out on Monday and stay out in the truck until Friday with possible run in on a Saturday.
Work Details:
• Monday - Friday tramping, some Saturdays - nights away all week
• Up to 50 hours per week
• £20 night out allowance
• Start date : ASAP October
• LTD / £12.00 ph with overtime after 10 hours each day at £12.50 (£600-£620 a week wages with £12.50ph on a Saturday)
Applicant requirements:
• Essential to hold HGV 1 Licence, DQC and Digital Tacho Card
• Previous tramping experience is ideal
• Previous experience with containers
• Maximum of 3 points with no DR, DD, IN, CD Convictions.
• Registered with Ltd company or via Umbrella company for payment purposes (essential).
Additional Benefits: No accident bonus paid every 6 months and bonus if targets are met.
Agency work should be about temping or doing the odd bit of work, not full time long term jobs!
Scumbags. And limited only, maybe HMRC might like to ‘apply’…
I wonder if the new sponsors are aware of the general opinions of agencies by the forum members, I would like to bet thst they are.
If they disagree you would think that they would come on and defend the points aimed at them.
A non response would suggest that they admit everything, or most, said is true,… or more likely do not give a ■■■■ anyway what drivers think.
the nodding donkey:
Evil8Beezle:
Had this email today!GIF ltd have HGV1 tramping container opportunities available. This is an ongoing contract based out of Addlestone Surrey, and Tilbury, delivering and collecting containers throughout the UK.
You will be required to do nights away with this role as it is a tramping role. You’re vehicle will be ‘yours’ whilst working on this contract. Required to go out on Monday and stay out in the truck until Friday with possible run in on a Saturday.
Work Details:
• Monday - Friday tramping, some Saturdays - nights away all week
• Up to 50 hours per week
• £20 night out allowance
• Start date : ASAP October
• LTD / £12.00 ph with overtime after 10 hours each day at £12.50 (£600-£620 a week wages with £12.50ph on a Saturday)
Applicant requirements:
• Essential to hold HGV 1 Licence, DQC and Digital Tacho Card
• Previous tramping experience is ideal
• Previous experience with containers
• Maximum of 3 points with no DR, DD, IN, CD Convictions.
• Registered with Ltd company or via Umbrella company for payment purposes (essential).
Additional Benefits: No accident bonus paid every 6 months and bonus if targets are met.
Agency work should be about temping or doing the odd bit of work, not full time long term jobs!
Scumbags. And limited only, maybe HMRC might like to ‘apply’…
Do HMRC even know this is going on■■? 
robroy:
I wonder if the new sponsors are aware of the general opinions of agencies by the forum members, I would like to bet thst they are.
If they disagree you would think that they would come on and defend the points aimed at them.
A non response would suggest that they admit everything, or most, said is true,… or more likely do not give a [zb] anyway what drivers think.
VERY good point too RR…
ive never heard this sort of thing with agency work…the agency that supply drivers to where I work has suspended 2 of the girls in the office who book drivers and arrange start times, they’ve been taking 200 cigs a week off drivers who want early AM starts plus a bit more stuff that I can’t really go into, they’ve only been doing it to EU drivers, seems that someone had enough and grassed them up. Seems they had a good little scam going for quite a while, I had it confirmed about the cigs.
selby newcomer:
ive never heard this sort of thing with agency work…the agency that supply drivers to where I work has suspended 2 of the girls in the office who book drivers and arrange start times, they’ve been taking 200 cigs a week off drivers who want early AM starts plus a bit more stuff that I can’t really go into, they’ve only been doing it to EU drivers, seems that someone had enough and grassed them up. Seems they had a good little scam going for quite a while, I had it confirmed about the cigs.
Rapier in Shirley ( other agencies in Southampton are available) ? and does the broom cupboard have a red light ?
blue estate:
selby newcomer:
ive never heard this sort of thing with agency work…the agency that supply drivers to where I work has suspended 2 of the girls in the office who book drivers and arrange start times, they’ve been taking 200 cigs a week off drivers who want early AM starts plus a bit more stuff that I can’t really go into, they’ve only been doing it to EU drivers, seems that someone had enough and grassed them up. Seems they had a good little scam going for quite a while, I had it confirmed about the cigs.Rapier in Shirley ( other agencies in Southampton are available) ? and does the broom cupboard have a red light ?
What you heard about Rapier in Shirley mate? 
Evil8Beezle:
blue estate:
selby newcomer:
ive never heard this sort of thing with agency work…the agency that supply drivers to where I work has suspended 2 of the girls in the office who book drivers and arrange start times, they’ve been taking 200 cigs a week off drivers who want early AM starts plus a bit more stuff that I can’t really go into, they’ve only been doing it to EU drivers, seems that someone had enough and grassed them up. Seems they had a good little scam going for quite a while, I had it confirmed about the cigs.Rapier in Shirley ( other agencies in Southampton are available) ? and does the broom cupboard have a red light ?
What you heard about Rapier in Shirley mate?
Nothing just guessing when op said EU drivers
I could be totally wrong (usually am )
blue estate:
Evil8Beezle:
blue estate:
selby newcomer:
ive never heard this sort of thing with agency work…the agency that supply drivers to where I work has suspended 2 of the girls in the office who book drivers and arrange start times, they’ve been taking 200 cigs a week off drivers who want early AM starts plus a bit more stuff that I can’t really go into, they’ve only been doing it to EU drivers, seems that someone had enough and grassed them up. Seems they had a good little scam going for quite a while, I had it confirmed about the cigs.Rapier in Shirley ( other agencies in Southampton are available) ? and does the broom cupboard have a red light ?
What you heard about Rapier in Shirley mate?
Nothing just guessing when op said EU drivers
I could be totally wrong (usually am )
Pity, I was hoping to give Matt at Rapier a bit of stick about it!
I know it’s not right when agencies advertise phantom jobs just to update their database of drivers or hype the alleged wage to look good when the reality is, the money is poor.
Saying that, my personal thinking as someone who’s come back into the game after a long absence, is that I know they will use me, but I am also using them to get that desired experience and I can then move on to hopefully a better job and wage - They also know that’s the score. I look at it as they are paying me to get that experience and I’m prepared to take the rough before the smooth with perhaps crap jobs, low wages etc. but I WILL NOT break the law for anyone regarding loads/ vehicle condition/ hours/ speed etc.
While I I hate agencies and everything they stand for, if I had to work for one, I’d be straight away finding out what “brown envelope” would get me the best work and hours. That’s just common sense…
Evil8Beezle:
Had this email today!HGV1 tramping container opportunities available. This is an ongoing contract based out of Addlestone Surrey, and Tilbury, delivering and collecting containers throughout the UK.
You will be required to do nights away with this role as it is a tramping role. You’re vehicle will be ‘yours’ whilst working on this contract. Required to go out on Monday and stay out in the truck until Friday with possible run in on a Saturday.
Work Details:
• Monday - Friday tramping, some Saturdays - nights away all week
• Up to 50 hours per week
• £20 night out allowance
• Start date : ASAP October
• LTD / £12.00 ph with overtime after 10 hours each day at £12.50 (£600-£620 a week wages with £12.50ph on a Saturday)
Applicant requirements:
• Essential to hold HGV 1 Licence, DQC and Digital Tacho Card
• Previous tramping experience is ideal
• Previous experience with containers
• Maximum of 3 points with no DR, DD, IN, CD Convictions.
• Registered with Ltd company or via Umbrella company for payment purposes (essential).
Agencies don’t generally employ drivers to just do one specific job with one specific customer.
IE probably translates as we have a client who sometimes requires a driver to do distance container work from stated depot/s.We have lots of other clients who need drivers on a regular basis to drive 7.5t class 2 ( 3 ) local retail multi drop distribution/building deliveries etc etc etc.Advertising on the basis of roughly along the lines of the former,but not saying anything about the latter,at least until you’re given the job,isn’t considered as lying by agencies. 
blue estate:
selby newcomer:
ive never heard this sort of thing with agency work…the agency that supply drivers to where I work has suspended 2 of the girls in the office who book drivers and arrange start times, they’ve been taking 200 cigs a week off drivers who want early AM starts plus a bit more stuff that I can’t really go into, they’ve only been doing it to EU drivers, seems that someone had enough and grassed them up. Seems they had a good little scam going for quite a while, I had it confirmed about the cigs.Rapier in Shirley ( other agencies in Southampton are available) ? and does the broom cupboard have a red light ?
Nah not Rapier. One of the birds has lost about 5 stone over the last few months, I’m wondering if she’s been demanding ■■■■■■ favours as well as cigs
Carryfast:
Agencies don’t generally employ drivers to just do one specific job with one specific customer.IE probably translates as we have a client who sometimes requires a driver to do distance container work from stated depot/s.We have lots of other clients who need drivers on a regular basis to drive 7.5t class 2 ( 3 ) local retail multi drop distribution/building deliveries etc etc etc.Advertising on the basis of roughly along the lines of the former,but not saying anything about the latter,at least until you’re given the job,isn’t considered as lying by agencies.
Do you have any information that is current pal?
When I started out I did 2 days at one place, and then 6 months straight at another, so yes agencies do place drivers at firms long term. The contract I’m currently on is agency on a zero hours contract basis It’s basically full time though, and the longest serving driver has been there 9 years, all on agency… They don’t employ drivers direct as apparently its just about the same cost to run us as limpers. I don’t agree with it, but the job is a doddle and what can I really do about it?
Evil8Beezle:
Carryfast:
IE probably translates as we have a client who sometimes requires a driver to do distance container work from stated depot/s.We have lots of other clients who need drivers on a regular basis to drive 7.5t class 2 ( 3 ) local retail multi drop distribution/building deliveries etc etc etc.Advertising on the basis of roughly along the lines of the former,but not saying anything about the latter,at least until you’re given the job,isn’t considered as lying by agencies.Do you have any information that is current pal?
When I started out I did 2 days at one place, and then 6 months straight at another, so yes agencies do place drivers at firms long term.
Fair enough.Let’s just say that I’m guessing that an applicant telling them,that they’re only interested in the advertised distance container work,won’t be what they want to hear. 