ive been on a few weeks trial period in a new job and already had issues that are being highlighted from transport manager, main things are my routs and time the jobs are taking. now, ive had incorrect post codes on delivery notes naff contact phone numbers, so was wondering whats more important to some of you, address or the post code, bearing in mind most of us use the sat nav and yes i also use a map 
both as not all post codes are correct or can put you in the wrong side of a controlled zone…
I always use the address for the stores that I delivery to, in conjunction with Google Maps and street view, then at least I have an idea of the delivery point as well.
Then I program that into my cheapo eBay SatNav - works well enough for me.
I do have a Truck Bridge Heights Maps as well and have only had to use that once.
steelgoon:
I always use the address for the stores that I delivery to, in conjunction with Google Maps and street view, then at least I have an idea of the delivery point as well.Then I program that into my cheapo eBay SatNav - works well enough for me.
I do have a Truck Bridge Heights Maps as well and have only had to use that once.
if a back door delivery, once done I’ll save the current location so it’ll take me to that point or drive to the entrance bit next to the road, that way you’ll be in the right area next time if you don’t go that often.
Always use the address as most of our shops are back door as Nick said save it as a favourite location, as most of ours are hidden from the main road.
All makes it easier when like yesterday had 5 drops if it saves time and trying to remember everything especially if you haven’t been there in ages.
Both address and postcode plus a site contact number. One out of three may be accurate.
Daytrunker:
Always use the address as most of our shops are back door as Nick said save it as a favourite location, as most of ours are hidden from the main road.
All makes it easier when like yesterday had 5 drops if it saves time and trying to remember everything especially if you haven’t been there in ages.
+1
The only issue I’ve had with this is if the destination is close to several different roads, say on an ind. est. - then the routing can be a little screwy (on my snav, anyway). You might end up in a cul-de-sac at right-angles to where you’re going 
. Then you’re into using the little grey cells a bit.
I like an address with a postcode, but the address is most important for reasons already given.
A single wrong digit of a postcode can leave you miles from where you need to be.
Sumsmeister:
Daytrunker:
Always use the address as most of our shops are back door as Nick said save it as a favourite location, as most of ours are hidden from the main road.
All makes it easier when like yesterday had 5 drops if it saves time and trying to remember everything especially if you haven’t been there in ages.+1
The only issue I’ve had with this is if the destination is close to several different roads, say on an ind. est. - then the routing can be a little screwy (on my snav, anyway). You might end up in a cul-de-sac at right-angles to where you’re going
Save the location before coming off the public onto private roads and the chances of that are reduced.
Even a correct postcode can leave you miles away!
A lot of our drops are on farms or big estates. The postcode area can cover 5sq miles or more, which isn’t helpful. Often even the address isn’t very useful.
I have a full coverage of the uk in 1:50 scale OS maps, which usually have the farms labelled so I always have a good look before leaving the yard to try and pinpoint where I need to be.
i use the force and when that fails then i just follow my nose
109LWB:
I have a full coverage of the uk in 1:50 scale OS maps
1:50 ■■ Do you carry the maps on the trailer and the load in the cab? (Sorry).
Why, when I call the contact number to ask them where the site actually is, do they always ask “Where are you?” I’ll work out how to get there but I just want a clue as to where “there” is.
The staff in our office just write down what they hear and turn it into an address using phonetics. This would be OK but no allowances for regional accents (or the fact they are dealing with knuckle dragging neanderthals…builders) and coupled with fat fingers on keyboards and a street address say like Bushey Croft, becomes Bissy Cross. A lot of the times they do not take a postcode so will use the same one as the account holder, who may or may not live in the same county.
Twice on one day last week I delivered or tried to deliver I should say, sand, blocks, and bricks to an account holders address instead of the actual site they were working on…which was miles away!
contact number, address & postcode and any other details you can get, look it up on the map (or google earth) use satnav to get you somewhere near then phone the customer to give em an ETA, time to move all the carp out the way so they can take your delivery when you get there (customer relations/brownie points, time saving) as well as check final directions, once there as others have said save ‘my location’ to favourites.
paberriman:
109LWB:
I have a full coverage of the uk in 1:50 scale OS maps1:50 ■■ Do you carry the maps on the trailer and the load in the cab? (Sorry).
Why, when I call the contact number to ask them where the site actually is, do they always ask “Where are you?” I’ll work out how to get there but I just want a clue as to where “there” is.
Forgot to mention they are on my iPad in digital form! I also have some areas in 1:25
109LWB:
paberriman:
109LWB:
I have a full coverage of the uk in 1:50 scale OS maps1:50 ■■ Do you carry the maps on the trailer and the load in the cab? (Sorry).
Why, when I call the contact number to ask them where the site actually is, do they always ask “Where are you?” I’ll work out how to get there but I just want a clue as to where “there” is.
Forgot to mention they are on my iPad in digital form! I also have some areas in 1:25
now THAT is a brilliant idea, what’s the cost like
I like to have both, that way you can see if they match up. We have 2 entrances into our gaff and the postcode will take you to the wrong entrance. This is obviously people putting a postcode in and not correlating it with the street name they’re given. First thing I do when going to a new place is read the route instructions and see where the last few roads will take me. Then I’ll open google maps on my phone and check it against that too so I can get an idea of where I need to go at the end of the trip.
Once at Stobarts I was sent to the One Stop Shop in Walsall. The address was of the DC but the postcode was for a local shop about 2 mile from there. I had to go on their website to discover all this though and seeing as how a high street shop probably wouldn’t want 26 tonnes of Coca Cola in one go I opted to take it to the DC. Had I blindly followed the postcode I’d have been miles out my way and seeing as I yanked my card with 8 minutes to spare would probably have had to have been recovered or had a night (day) out.
The thing is, they must give that info to everyone who does that route and I imagine half of them screw it up. Our lot get detailed maps with instructions and they still mess up.
chicane:
109LWB:
paberriman:
109LWB:
I have a full coverage of the uk in 1:50 scale OS maps1:50 ■■ Do you carry the maps on the trailer and the load in the cab? (Sorry).
Why, when I call the contact number to ask them where the site actually is, do they always ask “Where are you?” I’ll work out how to get there but I just want a clue as to where “there” is.
Forgot to mention they are on my iPad in digital form! I also have some areas in 1:25
now THAT is a brilliant idea, what’s the cost like
Not horrific, but not super cheap. I use a program called memory map and you can either download the whole of the uk for a one off cost which I think is about £150 or you can download chunks which is about £25 per 1500sq km. Good thing with that method is you just activate the tiles you want as and when you need them, the chunks aren’t set for you, you have 1500sq km and can use that where ever in the country you want to download.
I also do a lot of 4x4 off road driving, so they are good value for me, as I use them for work and play.
There are other program’s which sometimes work out a bit cheaper, but I’ve found memory map the best.
If a delivery address is wrong then I always write WRONG ADDRESS in large letters on all copies and if I’m in a good mood the correct address neatly.
If it seems an obscure address I Google map and street view the entrance then it’s familiar when you get there. If it’s a big company I don’t bother