Does anyone use the woodchip tip site directory?

[timh]

I ask because we've had our site listed for almost a year and only one person has used us and dropped off 2 loads on one occasion. We're in Tunbridge Wells by the way and could take many loads at our allotment site.
If it was a paid site would that swing it for you? and if so how much do you currently charge for a load?

[GarethM]

Be proactive and talk to the local tree guys, and no charging isn't going to help unless you're a commercial site

[Doug Tait]

We use the same commercial free tip sites for chip around the city depending on what's closer. We tend to use places that are easy for us (no prior arrangement required and easy access), but we have a few people who've approached us directly for chip (allotments, a market garden and a guy with lots of hens) and when they ask we'll tip a load for them at the earliest opportunity. No payment is asked but they always show their appreciation. Either some fresh veg, or coffee and a cake, or a box of free range eggs for everyone. All parties are happy with that.

 

On occasion we're out of area working we'll use the tip site directory on arbtalk to find somewhere suitable, or go to a commercial site.

[Steven P]

Doug has it, established local firms have their arrangements in place, load of chip, gets tipped here. Firms outside the area will look at tip sites rather than driving it al home to their usual place. 

 

If you want to get used then you'll need to be more convenient than what exists now - so if they pay to tip commercially then free or a box of eggs / cake might just sway it your way. Bear in mind for example a 10 mile trip to yours, 45 minute round trip with 2 guys in a van is costing £50+, if the local commercial site is 5 mins away with a £30 charge that is cheaper - get back quicker, get on with the job, got home quicker that day.. so loads of reasons. Got to be a better option.

 

Not all tree surgeons use the tip sites of course, so it is worth talking to the local guys as well.

 

Does your allotment have gates that need to be opened by the way? That might be a problem to coordinate that a day or so in advance - not sure you'll like "We'll be there sometime between 1 and 7:30 if you can hang about for us"

[Steve Bullman]

55 minutes ago, timh said:

I ask because we've had our site listed for almost a year and only one person has used us and dropped off 2 loads on one occasion. We're in Tunbridge Wells by the way and could take many loads at our allotment site.
If it was a paid site would that swing it for you? and if so how much do you currently charge for a load?

Yea making it a paid site would make a difference. If I had to pick from 2 sites the same distance from me;  the one offering a bottle of wine would win every time 

[timh]

Thanks for the feedback all, I've changed it to a paid site and let's see if anybody reaches out.

I had messaged a few locals already, but very few responses...

[NJA]

Old place I had a few loads of timber and woodchip dropped off and sometimes politely declined the 3rd, 4th load etc as I didn't have the space to tip until I'd moved whats there.

Moved a mile up the road, got endless space to tip, will accept any wood, any size, any size wagon any time of the day or night without needing any notice.

Not a bleep.  Even contacted a tree surgeon who was asking on a local social media site if anyone wanted loads of woodchip, not had a drop in a year🤔😄

Bizarre. 

But generally better luck proactively contacting local guys.

The tip site concept is a great idea but don't reckon on it and if it happens it's a bonus.

Met some decent guys at my old place, who were generally stuck miles away from base, with more than they'd reckoned coming off the job and tight for time to get it done so think it helped them a lot too.