Long distance Courier work - branching out and trusted websites?

buckman

Have been doing self-employed part-time courier work with a local company that i know for the last 4 years off and on as and when they need me for long distance driving..

Have used their vehicles (they have a company fleet)..

Now as I don't mind the driving up and down the country and long distance, i'm thinking of branching out to other companies in my local area for long distance stuff

Whats the best way to go about this?

I have seen websites about setting up as courier, only to see later on that these are terrible scams! (thought as much) - Is there a database or anything to join that would put me in touch with long distance courier work?

Or is it best just to approach companies cold? and what sort? - anyone know of companies looking for drivers especially up to Xmas and postal strike?

I see adverts for "using your own car" but I have a VW Golf - would I need to get a van preferably?

I am trying to weigh up whether to use my car as a self-employed (as im used to using a company car) or working for a company whereby you use their van?

Sorry for all the questions but am new to this

sandiep

If you use a private car, you're unlikely to be able to get Goods In Transit insurance of a sufficient level to satisfy and proper business customers.

2791trauts

Buckman, I'm a self employed same day courier and I'd advise you to give it some very serious thought before you start up.

At the moment work is very thin on the ground, my work is mainly sub-contract for other small and medium size courier businesses and I've gone from working five days a week and turning work away to sitting at home for days on end.

The rescission is is causing businesses to fold which in turn means less work for us couriers to do. Those businesses which are surviving are thinking more carefully about how they transport their goods. Better logistics planning can mean that items don't have to be rushed out at the last minute and can be sent out using overnight or 2/3 day delivery services which cost far less than sameday.

Add to all this the amount of extra competition that is around, there are people who've been made redundant starting up as self employed couriers every week thinking that it's easy money when it isn't. If you sub-contract for the "big" companies they'll promise the earth about getting return loads, then pay you a very poor mileage rate. I have even heard tales of them playing their own drivers off against each other in order to get them to reduce their rates further.

As for using a car, well it is possible for small parcels and documents but no good if the item is on a pallet, which is fairly common. Also many business don't see using a car as "professional" and if it's a petrol car then I can't see how you could make a prof fit.

If you do decide to give it a go then what ever you do don't pay anyone for work or buy any of the books you see on offer. If you want some good advice go to www. codforum. org.uk

buckman

Thanks for this advice

So it maybe easier to approach a local courier company and become a paid driver that way and use their van?

2791trauts

I'm afraid not many courier companies employ drivers these days, it's easier for them to sub-contract out to owner drivers so that they don't have the responsibility have paying holiday pay, sick pay, etc, etc. However there's no harm trying as you might get lucky.

The "big" companies put clauses in their contracts with sub-contractors saying that they must have their vans sign written, that in turn gives the customer the impression that the business owns the vehicle and the driver is an employee. It also makes it impossible for that subby to take on work elsewhere.

robredz

2791trauts wrote: »

I'm afraid not many courier companies employ drivers these days, it's easier for them to sub-contract out to owner drivers so that they don't have the responsibility have paying holiday pay, sick pay, etc, etc. However there's no harm trying as you might get lucky.

The "big" companies put clauses in their contracts with sub-contractors saying that they must have their vans sign written, that in turn gives the customer the impression that the business owns the vehicle and the driver is an employee. It also makes it impossible for that subby to take on work elsewhere.

Not only that but you will have to cover the run come what may, so you would have to employ someone to cover you when you want a holiday, or are sick, as there will be penalty clauses if the parcels are not cleared daily.

eamon

You would be better of registering with one or two of the pro driving agencies preferably ones that are local to you. By all means cold call some local parcel/haulage firms and even they can't offer you anything there and then they might tell which agency they use if any. I wouldn't consider getting your own vehicle and being self employed. This industry is extremely price sensitive and the margins very low.

buckman

Thanks eamon thats exactly what i am thinking...

Slightly easier way instead of getting a van and the insurances.. and as you say the market is very competitive if your just starting out..