Self-employed courier 'jobs'

Top_Banana_2

What do you make of those self-employed courier jobs that are always advertised in the newspapers?

Such as: http://www.driverconnection.co.uk/

They look like scams to me, but are there any genuine ones?

Conor_3

My brother did one for a well known parcel company. Wasn't too bad but you need storage.

BUT

That site is complete and utter rubbish. The rates on that, hauliers aren't even getting for 25 tonne loads. Oh, and the reality of the so called £370 Manchester to Bristol is that you only get paid loaded mileage, not for the return journey.
I know people who are working as proper couriers. Rates are being cut to hell and 70p per mile is GOOD at the moment. Lots of people in the market and work has dropped through the floor. Trying to get paid from the people you do the work for is like getting blood out of a stone - you don't get paid on the day, you invoice them.

One of the leading websites that exists for courier loads is www.courierexchange.co.uk. You register and bid on the loads. HOWEVER in common with most of this type of work, the best stuff is sewn up by a close knit group of companies.

In short, there's too many people trying for too little work and doing it for very little money.

poker_face

Top_Banana wrote: »

What do you make of those self-employed courier jobs that are always advertised in the newspapers?

Such as: http://www.driverconnection.co.uk/

They look like scams to me, but are there any genuine ones?

Some are scams so you have to be careful. At the end of the day their is no protection, as there may be no contract, so no insurance or guarantee of pay.

Tarry

Plus you need all sort of insurances?

Conor_3

Tarry wrote: »

Plus you need all sort of insurances?

Public liability and goods in transit in addition to van insurance or business use on the car - either of which is going to be horrific as soon as the word "courier" is mentioned.