What do you want in a courier?

[wriggley]

Hi folks,

i ve read a few posts of late about people complaining and commending couriers. So i was wondering what you guys look for in a courier. I mean obviously you want someone who will actually turn up but apart from that. I found it difficult just to find someone to drop of a few snails in the past.

Any pointers would be awesome

PM or post here

Thanks guys

Wriggley

[cornmorphs]

well, having used quite a few,there are not many that i would use again.
I know hes a mate, but ferretdave (ferret1959 i think), does the job perfectly every time for me.
1. .on time
3.. everything arrives on time, and alive
4.. nothing is ever missing
5.. very very cheap for the buyer
5.. he is very honest
I have found the majority dont have all of these, some but not all. Communication is one thing that has to be good, whatever the end result, communication must be done well every time.
obviously on top of that, all the normal checks are made.. boxes all sealed etc.. sounds like something they all should do? and i agree, but they dont all do it.. and thats in my own very recent experience too

[malky201]

Id like all of cornmorphs points, coupled with the courier being lily allen, to take me out afterwards

[Ferret1959]

Thanks for that Nige.

One of the main things I try and do is let the 'buyer' know when I'm 50 miles and 5 miles away.
That way you know they are going to be in when you get there.
I also let the 'seller' know the item has been delivered.


On a big run I now use a receipt book as P.O.D.


I wish I could do it full time because I love doing they job.

I have NEVER had even the slightest of complaints, must be the way I run my ship.

[wriggley]

Originally Posted by malky201

Id like all of cornmorphs points, coupled with the courier being lily allen, to take me out afterwards

Very funny Malky, though i may not be lily allen i am a chick :P

Thanks for your pointers Cornmorphs

Cheers Ferret when someone is doing a good job already i wouldnt ever want to deliberately step on their (your) toes

Im currently a mature student who is very poor (caught up in the whole loans delay rubbish) and since im used to driving very long distances (home and hubby are in Devon and im at uni in loughborough so about 4 1/2 hours and my family live in northern ireland), doing some delivery work sprung to mind.

That doesn't mean to say i would in any way be amateurish as i know how important my animals are to me and i would be very angry and upset if someone was half assed with them.

The reason i ask these questions i was wondering if you guys were looking for heated/cooled transport or other very specific features.

thanks again

[Ferret1959]

I will say.
Unless you do it full time there ain't no profit in it.

Doing the odd job here and there is good and covers fuel but don't rely on it to pay off your loans.


Don't worry about stepping on my toes, it could work out good for every one if we worked as a team.

[wriggley]

thanks mate, its more putting a dent in rather than paying it off. As im sure you can imagine fresh air isnt very filling at the minute i claim benefits as well as im disabled so to be honest i cant handle too many hours anyway. I can get help with some business related stuff though which is handy (see theres more to this cripple thing than just parking :P ) But you could be on to something with the teaming up thing

[Ferret1959]

By the time you have declared it to the DWP, paid out for fuel, allowed for your time at the basic minimum wage, covered insurance and break down cover how much do you hope to make?

I'm not trying to put the dampers on it but if it made money everyone would be doing it.

You would be better off getting a real job.

Ask anyone who's doing courier work, pretty sure they will say the same.

Oh and you will need a DEFRA permit to carry livestock.

Easy enough to get and FOC.

[wriggley]

Originally Posted by Ferret1959

By the time you have declared it to the DWP, paid out for fuel, allowed for your time at the basic minimum wage, covered insurance and break down cover how much do you hope to make?

I'm not trying to put the dampers on it but if it made money everyone would be doing it.

You would be better off getting a real job.

Ask anyone who's doing courier work, pretty sure they will say the same.

Oh and you will need a DEFRA permit to carry livestock.

Easy enough to get and FOC.

yup ive thought of most of this so i'll cover it bit by bit

i am allowed LEGALLY to work 16 hours a week and still claim benefits. i can also get help to stay in work from the Access to Work programme who also help out with everything from adapting vehicles and paying some of the fuel cost to a new 'chair like my mate got (jammy bugger)

i also drive across country for giggles most weekend anyway so there may be some way to make a few readies or at least get some of my fuel costs covered

Im an old git so my insurance to cover business work wont go up that much (yes i have checked it)

As for the real job, how many real jobs have you come across recently that arent entirely manual labour which lets be honest i just can't physically do

(BTW i used to a bit of bike courier work and i mean not just during the summer but that was another lifetime ago)

[Ferret1959]

Can you handle a large snake or lizard?

I think the best people to talk to are the girls who run 'Reptile Taxi' and SWcouriers.
They will tell you the bad sides, I have only told you the good bits.