Dublin City Council - Bin Collection Privatised/Greyhound Megathread

Stripey Cat · 13-01-2012 2:17pm

It does seem weird that bin collection is seen a business, and because they don't make money on it they can give it away to a private company.

Street lighting doesn't make any money either, nor do many things that DCC do. Should all of them be privatised?

keane2097 · 13-01-2012 2:36pm

I don't really understand the complaining here tbh.

Every City I've lived in before Dublin people have to pay to have their waste disposed of, it's totally standard.

Also can't see the issue with a weighing system which means people producing more waste will be charged more.

What's the problem?

Stripey Cat · 13-01-2012 2:55pm

I guess one of the issues is that we all have a stake in our neighbour's disposing of their waste properly.

Anything that encourages dumping or hoarding waste could have health implications for us all.

Lawrence1895 · 13-01-2012 2:58pm

keane2097 wrote: »

I don't really understand the complaining here tbh.

Every City I've lived in before Dublin people have to pay to have their waste disposed of, it's totally standard.

Also can't see the issue with a weighing system which means people producing more waste will be charged more.

What's the problem?

I would say, one problem is uncertainty. Nobody really knows, what's going on next, since there was no proper information, eg. newsletters in the post.

Customers are just afraid, that they will be overcharged, which is always bad in times like these.

Wile E. Coyote · 13-01-2012 3:14pm

Lars1916 wrote: »

I would say, one problem is uncertainty. Nobody really knows, what's going on next, since there was no proper information, eg. newsletters in the post.

Customers are just afraid, that they will be overcharged, which is always bad in times like these.

Customers won't be 'overcharged' they'll instead be paying the going rate. The waste collection service operated by Dublin City Council was losing them €10million per year. I know if I was living in DCC I'd rather see that money going to proper use.

This is not an over night decision. This has been talked about and been in the papers for months.

Lawrence1895 · 13-01-2012 3:24pm

Wile E. Coyote wrote: »

Customers won't be 'overcharged' they'll instead be paying the going rate. The waste collection service operated by Dublin City Council was losing them €10million per year. I know if I was living in DCC I'd rather see that money going to proper use.

This is not an over night decision. This has been talked about and been in the papers for months.

The 'going' rate? Meaning the same, we pay now? Well, my experience with privatized service providers is, they promise not to change the current rates for a certain period, but after that, they might increase their prices for all different reasons.

Dodge · 13-01-2012 3:25pm

Wile E. Coyote wrote: »

This is not an over night decision. This has been talked about and been in the papers for months.

And it was the last remaining council to privatise waste collection

lensman · 13-01-2012 3:28pm

I contacted my local councillor here in D7, he said we can arrange for any waste collector to pick up our bins for the first year then we have to go with greyhound,...I waiting for more info about this,..something smells, pardon the pun.

keane2097 · 13-01-2012 3:34pm

Lars1916 wrote: »

The 'going' rate? Meaning the same, we pay now? Well, my experience with privatized service providers is, they promise not to change the current rates for a certain period, but after that, they might increase their prices for all different reasons.

To a level at which they can cover their costs and make a reasonable profit for the vital service they provide.

I can see that people may be worried about the uncertainty of the changeover, but the idea that people are reticent to pay an appropriate fee to have the waste they produce disposed of for them is pretty odious.

Dirk Gently · 13-01-2012 3:36pm

keane2097 wrote: »

What's the problem?

My problem is the manner in which it happened. I still haven't received any notification from the council or greyhound. I found out by reading this forum. If I didnt log in here I wouldn't know yet that I have to pay 100 quid up front as well as whatever is outstanding on my dub city account plus top up my new greyhound account in advance before my next bin lift.

Also, only greyhound operate my area so I have no choice of company to go with. It was a hamfisted change over. Dub city should have given enough notice so other companies could make a drive to enter the market, as it stands only greyhound are in a position to do the lifts as the other companies have no steady volume of custom to justify sending in their trucks. Greyhound are also at the dearer end of providers, and will probably be more expensive again in 6 months time. Looking at the other companies, greyhound would be at the bottom of my list if I had a choice.

Wile E. Coyote · 13-01-2012 3:45pm

lensman wrote: »

I contacted my local councillor here in D7, he said we can arrange for any waste collector to pick up our bins for the first year then we have to go with greyhound,...I waiting for more info about this,..something smells, pardon the pun.

Your local councillor doesn't know what he's talking about. You're under no obligation to go with any individual service provider. Ring around all the companies, there's plenty out there and only too happy to take on your custom. There's also places where you can bring your waste yourself and pay for its disposal.

keane2097 · 13-01-2012 3:50pm

Dirk Gently wrote: »

My problem is the manner in which it happened. I still haven't received any notification from the council or greyhound. I found out by reading this forum. If I didnt log in here I wouldn't know yet that I have to pay 100 quid up front as well as whatever is outstanding on my dub city account plus top up my new greyhound account in advance before my next bin lift.

Also, only greyhound operate my area so I have no choice of company to go with. It was a hamfisted change over. Dub city should have given enough notice so other companies could make a drive to enter the market, as it stands only greyhound are in a position to do the lifts as the other companies have no steady volume of custom to justify sending in their trucks. Greyhound are also at the dearer end of providers, and will probably be more expensive again in 6 months time. Looking at the other companies, greyhound would be at the bottom of my list if I had a choice.

You should be getting a letter in the post presently - mine arrived yesterday. There's 30 days from Monday to pay the one hundred euro, it's not exactly a bolt from the blue assuming you get the letter in the next couple of working days.

One suspects the same complaints would be levelled if there had been 60 days notice - "they should have given us three months".

As for your lack of choice on provider, you've said it yourself, other companies don't operate in the areas - how in the world is that anyone's fault but theirs? It's an unfortunate fact that we're left in a position in which we have only one option, but other companies that service the area not existing is hardly the fault of the council.

Lawrence1895 · 13-01-2012 3:56pm

keane2097 wrote: »

You should be getting a letter in the post presently - mine arrived yesterday. There's 30 days from Monday to pay the one hundred euro, it's not exactly a bolt from the blue assuming you get the letter in the next couple of working days.

One suspects the same complaints would be levelled if there had been 60 days notice - "they should have given us three months".

As for your lack of choice on provider, you've said it yourself, other companies don't operate in the areas - how in the world is that anyone's fault but theirs? It's an unfortunate fact that we're left in a position in which we have only one option, but other companies that service the area not existing is hardly the fault of the council.

'A couple of working days'. That can be anything between 2 and 20 days or so. And those, who receive their letter later than others, have less time to pay the 100 Euros? Sounds very badly organised, it should be no big deal to send out all letters at the same time, imo

Dodge · 13-01-2012 4:00pm

Lars1916 wrote: »

it should be no big deal to send out all letters at the same time, imo

In fairness its probably at least 100,000 letters. There's no real harm in sending these out in batches.

keane2097 · 13-01-2012 4:02pm

Lars1916 wrote: »

'A couple of working days'. That can be anything between 2 and 20 days or so. And those, who receive their letter later than others, have less time to pay the 100 Euros? Sounds very badly organised, it should be no big deal to send out all letters at the same time, imo

Seriously? There's clearly a problem if people don't get sufficient time to organise themselves to pay the fee, what part of my post gave you the idea that a letter of notification arriving in twenty working days' time would be acceptable?

John Mason · 13-01-2012 4:07pm

i havent received a letter and tbh, if i didnt read this forum i wouldnt know anything about.

Greyhound are **** - they have rubbish customer services and regularly dont turn up

Dodge · 13-01-2012 4:10pm

irishbird wrote: »

i havent received a letter and tbh, if i didnt read this forum i wouldnt know anything about.

Greyhound are **** - they have rubbish customer services and regularly dont turn up

What are you basing that on?

Lawrence1895 · 13-01-2012 4:25pm

keane2097 wrote: »

Seriously? There's clearly a problem if people don't get sufficient time to organise themselves to pay the fee, what part of my post gave you the idea that a letter of notification arriving in twenty working days' time would be acceptable?

I was referring to a post, which mentioned, you have 30 days from Monday on to pay the 100 Euro, regardless from when you received the letter.

I would not complain, if there was a 30 day period from the day on, you actually receive the letter.

Wile E. Coyote · 13-01-2012 5:05pm

Lars1916 wrote: »

The 'going' rate? Meaning the same, we pay now? Well, my experience with privatized service providers is, they promise not to change the current rates for a certain period, but after that, they might increase their prices for all different reasons.

The rate you're currently paying obviously isn't sufficient to cover the cost of the service or DCC wouldnt have been losing €10mil a year, but then again a lot of that could be down to inefficiency on the part of DCC.

At the end of the day, Greyhound like any other waste company provide a service. They're not going to do this at a loss to themselves so if they have then yes they probably will increase rates. There's still nothing stopping you ringing around or throwing your rubbish into your car and taking it to the local tip/recycling centre.

Lawrence1895 · 13-01-2012 5:09pm

Wile E. Coyote wrote: »

The rate you're currently paying obviously isn't sufficient to cover the cost of the service or DCC wouldnt have been losing €10mil a year, but then again a lot of that could be down to inefficiency on the part of DCC.

At the end of the day, Greyhound like any other waste company provide a service. They're not going to do this at a loss to themselves so if they have then yes they probably will increase rates. There's still nothing stopping you ringing around or throwing your rubbish into your car and taking it to the local tip/recycling centre.

Right, I don't have a car/driving license (my problem), but as far as I know, Greyhound are the only provider for my area (Beaumont).

johanna57 · 13-01-2012 5:21pm

I live in Rialto we received letter today saying Greyhound are taking over bin collections on Monday some of my neighbours have not received the letter so much for consultation !! The 6 Euro a lift charge is only for a 6 month period a friend of mine in Rathfarnham pays 10.50 a lift to Greyhound and is also charged by weight so thats what we are facing

Dodge · 13-01-2012 5:31pm

The price in SDCC (Rathfarnham are in there) with greyhound is 31c per kilo.

Before privatisation it was €10.50 a bin with SDCC, so his price hasn't gone up at all if he's still paying that (bar the €60 annual charge, obviously)

Tenshot · 13-01-2012 5:31pm

My "info pack" arrived today, and like other posters, I was pretty unimpressed to find I'm suddenly being charged an extra €100 in advance this month (not to mention the bill for October-December which hasn't yet arrived).

Even though there are 30 days to pay, it also says green bins won't be lifted unless they are tagged - and you don't get a tag until you pay your service charge. There are two green bin collections scheduled between now and the 30 days grace.

This seemed a bit mad, so I rang Greyhound to clarify. In fact, the green bins will be collected as usual during the first 30 days as long as you open an account with Greyhound. You can do this by making any payment against your account (e.g. the €12 minimum); it doesn't need to be the full €100 initially. This will trigger the sending out of the bin tags.

The €100 is still due within 30 days, but at least it gives a little additional grace.

I'm still deeply unimpressed by the whole thing though.

I'm also a bit puzzled: both black and brown bins are now being collected on the same day, apparently (i.e. you can leave either or both out every fortnight, instead of having to alternate them). Anyone know if this means they will be doubling the number of trucks on the road? I presume a standard waste lorry will only pick up one specific type of bin.

phasers · 13-01-2012 5:35pm

Greyhound are rubbish, they regularly just don't turn up to collect the green bins in my (SDCC) estate. I'm with Thorntons who are cheaper and have a better customer service. Stay vocal about the service and keep ringing other providers, if enough DCC residents request it then I'm sure another company would operate in the area!

oaklands · 13-01-2012 6:38pm

Hi

got a letter from Greyhound which I presume is the info pack. So I decided to go and register with the website for automatic payments and encountered a number of problems:

1. When you try to log on you are asked for an 'Customer ID Number' which is actually called an account number in the letter & card. You are also asked for a verification code which corresponds to the number labelled 'VC' on the reverse of the card. Needless to say I struggled with this and rang the help line where this was clarified for me. Later I noticed that it was somewhat explained if you hover the mouse oner the help icons (unfortunately I clicked them and didn't get the help information initially).

2. So I then logged on and tried to sign up to automatic top ups to avoid the hassle in future. I couldn't find anything for automatic topups so I called the help line again and the operator went away to check into it. It appears that the online topups won't be available until next week despite being mentioned several times in the info pack. I asked that they should put a notice on the home page informing customers of that.

3. They are also committing to no price increases for 6 months which clearly translates to a price increase in 6 months. Sounds like there there should be some independent price regulation here as its clearly a monopoly.

Needles to say I am not impressed - so far - with this company which seems to miss the basic and easy to do stuff. I hope its not an omen for the actual service!

Finally, I read this thread and decided to check out alternatives mentioned for South Dublin (D6) but it appears there are no real alternatives, available.

John Mason · 13-01-2012 7:36pm

Dodge wrote: »

What are you basing that on?

i am basing it on the fact, that the regularly dont turn up and when you phone up to complain the customer service is ****:rolleyes:

HeidiHeidi · 13-01-2012 7:43pm

irishbird wrote: »

i am basing it on the fact, that the regularly dont turn up and when you phone up to complain the customer service is ****:rolleyes:

Have to say, suspicious as I am about the whole thing, Greyhound have been collecting our green bags for the last few years, and they've never missed a collection.

Dodge · 13-01-2012 8:27pm

Never missed one here either. Can't speak for customer service as I have contacted them

alentejo · 13-01-2012 8:27pm

Am still amazed that this is not a bigger issue out there.
Not anti Greyhound per say, more thinking that DCC completely messed up the tendering process and the terms and conditions.

CBYR1983 · 13-01-2012 11:18pm

Got the letter when I arrived home this evening. First I heard of it. Full black bin outside which I expected to put out on Tuesday. So basically they've given me one working day to pay them a full year in advance or not have the bin collected at all.

Banana Republic. The middle get squeezed again.

Can somebody confirm if they will collect the bin during the first 30 days? What's the point in giving us 30 days to pay if they won't collect the bin during that time.

Expecting to move out of this dump in the next month. No way will I pay for a full year upfront.

By the way, my letter says:

"Please note that your annual charge will be debited as part of the Automatic Top Up Service".

So unless you're doing it at the post office, it sounds like they will charge your laser/credit card the full 100 euro before they'll accept any other top ups.

johanna57 · 14-01-2012 4:47pm

I have contacted Thortons they already collect bins in Rialto/Crumlin charge a service fee of 50 Euros up front and lift fee of 7.50. Greyhound will definetly put price up after 6 months a lot of people in our area have not received any notification letters that service has been transfered to Greyhound.

Lawrence1895 · 14-01-2012 7:24pm

johanna57 wrote: »

I have contacted Thortons they already collect bins in Rialto/Crumlin charge a service fee of 50 Euros up front and lift fee of 7.50. Greyhound will definetly put price up after 6 months a lot of people in our area have not received any notification letters that service has been transfered to Greyhound.

Thornton's only do the Southside? do they?

Elmer Blooker · 15-01-2012 11:32am

How times change. We used to be urged to "reduce, re use, recycle" to do our bit for the environment. now we have to pay in advance to save the planet!! Is there no end to extortion in this country?

DecTenToo · 15-01-2012 11:55am

Well the website is certainly an example of how not to do things ...

- An FAQ can be hound here.

Can't wait to see the letter.

johanna57 · 15-01-2012 1:53pm

Lars1916 wrote: »

Thornton's only do the Southside? do they?

According to their website they do Dublin Meath and Kildare num to call is 1850 946 200

Lawrence1895 · 15-01-2012 5:57pm

johanna57 wrote: »

According to their website they do Dublin Meath and Kildare num to call is 1850 946 200

I know, but if you check the Collection Areas on their website, only areas on the Southside come up :rolleyes:

Dirk Gently · 15-01-2012 6:27pm

Lars1916 wrote: »

johanna57 wrote: »

According to their website they do Dublin Meath and Kildare num to call is 1850 946 200

I know, but if you check the Collection Areas on their website, only areas on the Southside come up :rolleyes:

It's like that with them all. Ozo, panda,access,city bins, thorntons, none of them service the northside. We're stuck with greyhound.

olaola · 16-01-2012 12:04pm

I'm RAGING! We never recieved ANY notification about this. Our bins are full, and if we had ANY notice - we could have had them emptied to keep us going until we sorted out the new provider. Now God knows when they'll be collected.

I'm in D8 - does anyone know if Greyhound is the only option?

DecTenToo · 16-01-2012 12:47pm

Well, well. I see that the website has changed. Now you can enter your street name and find out your delivery day and then then go and download a PDF for that day to say which bins to put out.

http://www.cmbsandbox.com/greyhound_search/timetable.php so I'm on the brown and black tomorrow, assuming they'll pick them up without the account being open and the correct bar code.

I spend my day job getting people to organize themselves, strive to work well as teams and work towards a shared goal. One of the key problems we always find is the lack of communication. I have never seen such a poorly communicated and planned switch over as that of the move to Greyhound for refuse collection.

While I have no problem in paying for collection of waste and will also be able to plan accordingly when the service charges go up, lift charges increase, and pay by weight is applied post June, the lack of information available from the new provider is worrying.

If I developed a website like that for any of our clients or for internal use, I’d be sacked. It’s about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. From a professional perspective, a 10 year old could do a better job as regards design, layout and access.

John Mason · 16-01-2012 12:52pm

we still havent received any notification :rolleyes:

nudger · 16-01-2012 12:54pm

irishbird wrote: »

we still havent received any notification :rolleyes:

Neither have I.

Would you believe it, just arrived.

Dirk Gently · 16-01-2012 1:06pm

olaola wrote: »

I'm in D8 - does anyone know if Greyhound is the only option?

I think you have a few options in dub 8.

google the following ... access / city bins / thorntons / ozo

I remember at least some of them servicing dublin 8. The problem seems to be mainly north of the liffey.

nudger · 16-01-2012 1:15pm

Dublin 7, collection day is Tuesday for all bins, Black and Brown on the same day then Green by itself.
Starting tomorrow Black and Brown.

rod flanders · 16-01-2012 1:29pm

olaola wrote: »

I'm RAGING! We never recieved ANY notification about this. Our bins are full, and if we had ANY notice - we could have had them emptied to keep us going until we sorted out the new provider. Now God knows when they'll be collected.

I'm in D8 - does anyone know if Greyhound is the only option?

Try Thorntons. I know they collect in Inchicore.

rod flanders · 16-01-2012 1:33pm

Thorntons collection area's

Dublin: Ballyfermot, Chapelizod, Citywest, Clondalkin, Crumlin, Drimnagh, Inchicore, Lucan, Palmerstown, Rathcoole, Rathfarnham,Saggart,Tallaght,Templogue.

Kildare: Maynooth, Kilcock, Clane, Celbridge, Leixlip, Straffan, Prosperous, Sallins, Robertstown, Kill.

Meath: Ashbourne, Dunshaughlin, Dunboyne, Enfield, Trim, Summerhill, Kilmessan, Longwood, Ratoath.

Dodge · 16-01-2012 1:37pm

I'm almost certain Ozo and Panda also collect in Inchicore. No harm in calling all the companies

Sacksian · 16-01-2012 1:48pm

nudger wrote: »

Dublin 7, collection day is Tuesday for all bins, Black and Brown on the same day then Green by itself.
Starting tomorrow Black and Brown.

This is a day earlier than DCC, right? I'm in D7 and our bins are always collected Wednesday but, after checking the website, it looks like Greyhound is on Tuesday. The leaflet that came through the door from them says: "no change to collection dates for 2012".

Lawrence1895 · 16-01-2012 2:33pm

Sacksian wrote: »

This is a day earlier than DCC, right? I'm in D7 and our bins are always collected Wednesday but, after checking the website, it looks like Greyhound is on Tuesday. The leaflet that came through the door from them says: "no change to collection dates for 2012".

DCC used to be around in my area (D9) on Thursdays for the black and brown bin. No change here, but the green bin is collected a day earlier now.

Anyway, got the famous letter today :rolleyes:

Meauldsegosha · 16-01-2012 2:51pm

Lars1916 wrote: »

DCC used to be around in my area (D9) on Thursdays for the black and brown bin. No change here, but the green bin is collected a day earlier now.

Anyway, got the famous letter today :rolleyes:

I'm in D9 and our black/brown bins are usually collected on a Tuesday (green on a Monday). Still haven't recieived any notification yet. So do I put my bin out tomorrow.

I hope this is not a indication of the service we can expect for Greyhound in the future.

Inbox · 16-01-2012 2:52pm

Is anybody going to ring Joe about this?

Dublin City Council - Bin Collection Privatised/Greyhound Megathread

Comments