I have a client moving from AMS to Zimbabwe
There are a few suitcases or clothing to go by airfreight but my usual agent won’t handle suitcases for some reason - it’s not as if the airline don’t take them on the plane.
Anyone able to assist (must be based in Netherlands)
Thank you
I’ve been in freight forwarding for over 20 years, and something has changed.
We’re in an industry built around deadlines. Miss a customs clearance, a vessel cutoff, an airline acceptance time, or a delivery slot, and there can be real financial consequences.
Yet recently I find myself chasing people more than ever. Emails sit unanswered for hours or days, calls aren’t returned, and “I’ll look at it later” seems to have become normal—even when cargo is sitting waiting.
Is it just me getting older, or has the sense of urgency genuinely declined?
What do you think is behind it?
Staff shortages?
Too many automated systems?
Remote working?
Customers expecting instant service while suppliers move more slowly?
Or has the industry simply changed?
I’m genuinely interested whether this is a UK issue or whether forwarders around the world are seeing the same thing.
I am so fed up of constantly emailing freight companies in local cities for a quote and NEVER getting a response
The large forwarders are putting people in seats to do a specific job - data entry, freight bookings, accounts, customer services, operations. Teams of staff who do not understand the whole aspect of freight forwarding. Staff that can phone in sick knowing their job will be covered. People that can ignore or delete emails they don’t want to deal with because they get the same salary end of the month whether they give 100% or 20%
They do just enough to retain their job
Whilst it may be acceptable for their large corporate clients who feel the same about their customers, logistics is a big machine that keeps churning.
I want to build a network of small agents, less than 5 staff each with at least 3 of them with over 15 years experience. A team that can do each others job at the drop of a hat, a team that will sit down and discuss and work out how they are going to do what they have just been asked to do.
Some of you reading this will know your are that team, most of you will feel you can do it, but if you are prepared to walk out of the office at 6pm and leave cargo sitting in your warehouse that should have been at the airport an hour ago. Or decide not to check your emails all evening, if you are happy to deal with a quote received at 10am in the morning the next day. Please don’t ask to join my network
I am in the uk and have an office in Nigeria and Zimbabwe. If you are from any other country than these three and want to help set a network , send me a DM.
There is no charge, there are no ridiculous hidden fees, not even profit share. Just small freight forwarders that care about their customers and their cargo and want to work with someone who says ‘leave it with me’ and actually does it. Or….has the balls to say, sorry mate but that cannot be done
I am U.K. based freight forwarder and have created a Shona speaking chatbox to help answer questions about the shipping process
As it is a language based module. The more conversations would improve the dialect
Would appreciate any feedback on the language style
Just visit the website. Click ai chatbox and then the Shona box - ask whatever you want in Shona and you should receive a response in the same language
Thank you