Another bonkers idea!

spaceboyted

I was travelling on the train today when I came up with this idea. In short, I wondered if it was possible to create a delivery service that made use of other peoples regular journeys to work. For example, I would get paid to carry someone elses parcel whilst I travelled on the train to London today. Those carrying the parcel would collect and deposit the package at designated train terminals. During the journey, the person carrying the item is fully liable to any damages ect... I would be intrigued to know what you guys think. Thanks

lincroft1710

So the person carrying the parcel will have to have insurance cover and agree to "carry" the parcel which will be limited to a certain size and weight. I cannot see you undercutting any courier company.

Also you will be very restricted in where you can send parcels to and from.

The infrastructure would be too costly for such a small income.

orangeslimes

How would you check what is in the parcel? What if people tried to transport illegal items?

stephenni1971

spaceboyted wrote: »

I was travelling on the train today when I came up with this idea. In short, I wondered if it was possible to create a delivery service that made use of other peoples regular journeys to work. For example, I would get paid to carry someone elses parcel whilst I travelled on the train to London today. Those carrying the parcel would collect and deposit the package at designated train terminals. During the journey, the person carrying the item is fully liable to any damages ect... I would be intrigued to know what you guys think. Thanks

No, it is not possible.

pitkin2020

stephenni1971 wrote: »

No, it is not possible.

It is possible, is it a good idea, no.

The service would be too limited, too unreliable and too expensive. The
limitations of where people start and end their journey would be too restrictive. Plus the times most people are going to work when they go to deliver the parcel what if no one is there to accept it?

What happens when the person goes sick?

Insurance wouldn't be cost effective meaning the price for each parcel would outweigh all the inconveniences.

patman99

Reminds me of the poster who worked as a courier, but instead of driving, he used his OAP bus pass to get around for free.

jexygirl

In some weird, totally not practical but eco friendly, logistical nightmare, I kind of like the concept, but it needs lots of development!
You would run like an agency almost, and I see the concept, but you would need thousands of people to register with you to offer comprehensive delivery, at a rate that would need to be lucrative to them and you, and whilst I see that they are going anyhow, it needs to be hassle free pick up on my usual way, drop off on my usual way, few quid for no hassle to me thanks. It would need strong marketing and cash to delivery people, as well as amazing logisitics people to organise it, in order to get people to commit. I, like others, see it as a likely nono.
Still it has some appeal for some reason...
Jex

texranger

orangeslimes wrote: »

How would you check what is in the parcel? What if people tried to transport illegal items?

this is true, security, we are always being told at airpoorts train stations etc. not to offer to carry anyone elses baggages its the same thing. If the package contained drugs then you become a drugs mule and if caught you are going to jail (do not pass go and do not collect £200)

Joannag_2

I would be more bothered about arriving at the station and the recipient not there/held up...how long would you need to wait?

texranger

Joannag wrote: »

I would be more bothered about arriving at the station and the recipient not there/held up...how long would you need to wait?

so you would be more bothered if no one was their to collect the package rather than being arrested for carring drugs and ending up in jail.

jexygirl

texranger wrote: »

so you would be more bothered if no one was their to collect the package rather than being arrested for carring drugs and ending up in jail.

Kind of think thats a little ott drama queen in that if properly run, logistics records would prove pick ups drop offs by people on the books, and whilst I get your point about not knowing what you are collecting, I think, given that you are registered as a courier - like any other courier in the country who doesn't really know what they are collecting or delivering... yes, I would be more annoyed that the person didn't turn up to meet me! Hence I would do address delivery if this were to come to fruition and were mine!
Still think the base idea has legs, but the logistics make it almost impossible