Hermes delivering parcels..

sha-ronlush

Hi got a lady coming to see me tomorrow about delivering parcels, however looking it up on Google seems to throw up lots of stories about poor rates of pay and high insurance costs?
I quite fancy this type of work has anyone any experience/advice please?

Flyonthewall

No experience. However, if a parcel is undelivered then you'll have to spend time and money going back to try and deliver it again and you won't be paid.

I don't think you're paid a great deal, but how much you make in the end will depend on how many parcels you deliver first time, how many you deliver in total, the area you cover and travel costs. Might be other factors too, I don't know.

You'll need business insurance for your car if you don't already have it. Plus you need to make sure you have a suitable car/van for transporting the parcels in.

I believe you'll also have to travel to the depot to pick up the parcels so consider how far away that is as you're not likely to get anything back for travelling there so you have petrol costs to consider as well as the time it takes.

Others will probably have more knowledge and experience, but that's just a few points to consider.

RichardD1970

Have a look at some of these threads,

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/search.php?searchid=155270457


There should be some useful info in there somewhere

Goldiegirl

I've heard that it is stressful for a low rate of pay.

Personally I wouldn't do it

sha-ronlush

RichardD1970 wrote: »

Have a look at some of these threads,

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/search.php?searchid=155268639

There should be some useful info in there somewhere

sorry says no matches available.

RichardD1970

sha-ronlush wrote: »

sorry says no matches available.

Hmmm, have edited it, try now.

If not then click "Forum Search" in the green strip near the top and type "courier".

sha-ronlush

RichardD1970 wrote: »

Hmmm, have edited it, try now.

If not then click "Forum Search" in the green strip near the top and type "courier".

thank you.

Mollymabel

My husband is a Hermes courier. I cover his round for him on a Saturday while he does his second job. Like any job it has it's advantages and disadvantages. If you like getting out and meeting people it is a great job. You just have to develop a thick skin to cope with the occasional miserable or condescending customer. It certainly makes a change to my day job in an office. Most people are pleased to see you once they realise that you are not trying to sell something - just ignore the unwelcoming notices on many doors. It helps if you like dogs; I have lost count of the number of times that I have been told that Fido will not hurt me as he jumps up barking as soon as the door is open. You will get cold, wet or hot depending on weather conditions. It can be tiring depending on how many parcels you deliver each day. If it is to be your only income you will need more than one round to earn a decent living but it will be very difficult to start up at this level. It is not difficult but you do need to learn the best way to do things. You will need to plan your route. This is easier if you are taking over a round from another courier who is leaving for good reasons. My husband has done about 8 different rounds since he started. It has been much easier when he has been given maps and optimal routes from the previous courier but you have to accept that it will take much longer to begin with. Even now he can do the route much quicker than me because he is doing it most days. He gets his parcels delivered to our house at about 7.00am each morning - something to consider with regard to neighbours but he is first drop. You get paid per parcel successfully delivered with enhanced payments for various things. The rate is higher for rural rounds. If you take on a round it is yours and you are responsible for making sure that the parcels get delivered 6 days a week but not necessarily by you - that is why I can deliver on a Saturday. You will have to arrange cover for holidays, etc but your field manager will give you contacts. My husband started by covering for a courier's holiday. The help that she gave him was invaluable when he was starting out. Another thing - beware letter boxes some of them are dangerous.
Good luck.

sha-ronlush

Many thanks for that Mollymabel. x