How do I get into delivery business?

furndire

SB I have been thinking for a while about setting up a courier/light delivery service. We have a large van, as we recently gave up furniture retailing (did our own deliveries, so van is already insured for carrying goods.) I did look on one site, but they were asking for us to pay them for work. (this was a monthly fee, whether there was work or not!!!!). How do I get into a this type of work without paying a fortune for the priviledge. I read how so may parcels arrive damaged and it seems a shame that so much stuff is ruined when a bit more care would get stuff to its destination in tact. Any one got any ideas?

inmypocketnottheirs

Hi, I did motorcycle couriering a few years back when things were really bad. I got quite a bit of work by calling all the courier firms in the Yellow Pages and offering to sub contract. I also contacted Securicor Pony Express and the Moves. I did earn failry well, £400-500 p.w. after fuel/costs, but on a bike it is gruelling!

There is more money in same day services. You will need relevant insurance not sure if carrying your own goods is the same requirement, but any firm you sub contract for should guide you on this.

I would avoid the kind of sites where you register for work, it never really worked for me.

What area are you in?

coral

I second the sub-contract idea - although it would be nice to do your own thing, in reality you'd struggle to compete with the big guys on price & brand recognition.

I met a couple a few years ago who made a very good living driving a freezer van clearing up the mess-ups (short deliveries, emergency orders etc) from Whitbread/3663 - at the time they said they could have had ten vans & still been busy, so I would think there is potential to pick up "short-notice" work & charge a good premium for it, to cover the downtime.

furndire

Thanks for your replies, I think the insurance we have covers us for other peoples goods, but will check. We don't want to go into this in a big way, but it would be nice to let the van earn its keep - we use it to travel round the Continent - for a couple of months in the year - wouldn't mind adding some of those jobs on . Never thought to look in YP. Silly really - advertised with them for years!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Essex-girl_2

You will need Goods in Transit Insurance. In my business I subcontract to 2 large companies but if you want to subcontract I would look at any business parks in your area or in the yellow pages find some Transport Company's, Warehouses and Freight Forwarders and start phoning them a lot of companys are crying out for people to cover the Xmas period then if you are good and reliable you may get something regular.