Courier work, anyone done any?
03 March 2003, 02:35 PM
#1
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I am really looking at doing bike courier work but any advice/tips/hints etc on how this type of work pays and the best way to get into it would be much appreciated.
Have just started going through yellow pages and first courier firm I called wants to see me 11am tomorrow as desperate for bike couriers. Really want to know what I should expect so I don't get the wool pulled over my eyes by any company who might try and take advantage of the fact I know nothing about the industry.
Have just started going through yellow pages and first courier firm I called wants to see me 11am tomorrow as desperate for bike couriers. Really want to know what I should expect so I don't get the wool pulled over my eyes by any company who might try and take advantage of the fact I know nothing about the industry.
03 March 2003, 04:42 PM
#7
Pontificating
Only 15 years Puff!! you lucky sod
18 years for me but International rather than UK/Local and animals and body fluids/parts instead of docs
Looking to get out now been doing it too long
Dave
18 years for me but International rather than UK/Local and animals and body fluids/parts instead of docs
Looking to get out now been doing it too long
Dave
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03 March 2003, 04:44 PM
#10
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Cheers for the advice Puff
I'll let you know how things turn out. Going to see the local company tomorrow and see what they say about rates and how much and what type of work they have before I talk to the London ones. That way I will have a comparison to work with when speaking to the London companies.
Just thought, I don't want to have to put a top box on my beloved kwak!
Will have to make sure I can fit things in my tank bag and big ruck sack!!
I'll let you know how things turn out. Going to see the local company tomorrow and see what they say about rates and how much and what type of work they have before I talk to the London ones. That way I will have a comparison to work with when speaking to the London companies.
Just thought, I don't want to have to put a top box on my beloved kwak!
Will have to make sure I can fit things in my tank bag and big ruck sack!!
04 March 2003, 11:48 AM
#12
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Just got back from the courier firm, I start Thursday
Better get over the bike shop and get some decent bloody waterproofs as its not too dry and sunny out there at the moment. Oh and phone the tax office, the insurance company... the list goes on
Gonna try it for 2-3 weeks on trial for both them and me, they need to make sure I can read a map and find places without getting lost and I need to know I wont get p!ssed off with riding all day in the rain. Its still got to be better than going back to IT for half the money and being shat on.
Better get over the bike shop and get some decent bloody waterproofs as its not too dry and sunny out there at the moment. Oh and phone the tax office, the insurance company... the list goes on
Gonna try it for 2-3 weeks on trial for both them and me, they need to make sure I can read a map and find places without getting lost and I need to know I wont get p!ssed off with riding all day in the rain. Its still got to be better than going back to IT for half the money and being shat on.
04 March 2003, 11:52 AM
#13
Last piece of advice...
Don't forget that you are self-employed so you don't have to be over loyal to them. Its a two-way street, so it has to work for you...
Also, its only a bloody parcel, so don't go killing yourself getting it delivered - you do not have to break the law to get it delivered either, if you miss the deadline, it is not your fault, the client should've allowed more time.
Other than that...
Don't forget that you are self-employed so you don't have to be over loyal to them. Its a two-way street, so it has to work for you...
Also, its only a bloody parcel, so don't go killing yourself getting it delivered - you do not have to break the law to get it delivered either, if you miss the deadline, it is not your fault, the client should've allowed more time.
Other than that...
04 March 2003, 01:04 PM
#14
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Puff the whole thing has gone pear shaped already [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img] My insurance company wont touch couriers and others I have tried want ludicrous money and laugh when I tell em I have a sports 600. FFS I have seen couriers in London on Blades, R1's, Ducatis and Hayabusas. I take it none of these guys can have insurance if I cant even get my ZX6-R insured [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
Back to the drawing board on this one
Back to the drawing board on this one
04 March 2003, 01:08 PM
#15
Try
Arthur Marsh & Sons in Uxbridge (number in directories)
Thats why I asked how old
I used to despatch a GSXR750
Also get an MCN & try a couple in there - usually someone covers couriers, but it won't be the specialist small peeps but NU in some guise or other.
Arthur Marsh & Sons in Uxbridge (number in directories)
Thats why I asked how old
I used to despatch a GSXR750
Also get an MCN & try a couple in there - usually someone covers couriers, but it won't be the specialist small peeps but NU in some guise or other.
04 March 2003, 01:12 PM
#16
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Work for a company that supplies the Bike and Insurance. That's what I did after a spell of self-employed. They were BMWs, Moto Guzzi's and Yamahas. All 750cc. And a salary too. 
It was all international stuff too. No point to point. Pick up, take to office, then in sacks to LHR.
I'd never do it again though. It's a grim way to make a living IMO.
It was all international stuff too. No point to point. Pick up, take to office, then in sacks to LHR.I'd never do it again though. It's a grim way to make a living IMO.
04 March 2003, 01:15 PM
#17
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Thanks Puff. Will try them today and see what they can throw up. I am still waiting on Hill House Hammond to get back to me as Norwich Onion told me to contact them as one of their best brokers and will cover me on courier work. However there IT systems are down and may not be able to tell me till tomorrow. They obviously need an IT bod and should have offered my services
They obviously need an IT bod and should have offered my services
04 March 2003, 03:02 PM
#19
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Thats it totally out the window then, its laughable, fully comp is 5k and 3rd party only is 3k [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
I said to the insurance companies then how do these city bike couriers do it on R1's etc. His reply was simply they don't have insurance, they get away with it and its joe public who is paying for their accidents when personal injury claims are made against them with no insurance.
Why are they not being clamped down on? I simply refuse to ride or drive breaking my insurance cover. Yet it seems many bike couriers do it and get away with it. No wonder insurance premiums are so high. Its a viscious circle though and something needs to be done about it. [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
[img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]I said to the insurance companies then how do these city bike couriers do it on R1's etc. His reply was simply they don't have insurance, they get away with it and its joe public who is paying for their accidents when personal injury claims are made against them with no insurance.
Why are they not being clamped down on? I simply refuse to ride or drive breaking my insurance cover. Yet it seems many bike couriers do it and get away with it. No wonder insurance premiums are so high. Its a viscious circle though and something needs to be done about it. [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
04 March 2003, 03:09 PM
#21
Ho hum...
World Courier - Funkii Munkii works for them
Regarding insurance, that is just not the case. The company I left in September's policy is no insurance - no job. They go out of their way to ensure that riders are indeed correctly insured as the company is potentially liable if the rider has an accident whilst doing their work and injures someone & the rider is not insured.
Another one to try - GTi Insurance in Newcastle.
World Courier - Funkii Munkii works for them
Regarding insurance, that is just not the case. The company I left in September's policy is no insurance - no job. They go out of their way to ensure that riders are indeed correctly insured as the company is potentially liable if the rider has an accident whilst doing their work and injures someone & the rider is not insured.
Another one to try - GTi Insurance in Newcastle.
04 March 2003, 03:14 PM
#22
Oh & my last Courier Covered Bike policy (3 yrs ago) was £790 & was Fully Comp on a GSXR750WV. Rider policy.
(Notorious - if you read this, don't wory, I didn't courier it but needed the cover to "sometimes" do a job if fan was imploding! Company paid)
(Notorious - if you read this, don't wory, I didn't courier it but needed the cover to "sometimes" do a job if fan was imploding! Company paid)
04 March 2003, 03:17 PM
#23
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Puff don't get me wrong, I'm definately not saying all courier riders are law breaking insurance dodging gits. What I am doing is casting doubt upon the ones with extremely large flash bikes though as insurance companies are telling me they just wont quote or cover these bikes and don't know of any company that does. I doubt very much any of these big bikes are employed by reputable companies.
The quotes of 5k etc were from the broker you mentioned in an earlier post. They said that sports bikes just arnt liked by insurance companies for any type of business use. I now know why so many couriers have old gt550's etc.
The quotes of 5k etc were from the broker you mentioned in an earlier post. They said that sports bikes just arnt liked by insurance companies for any type of business use. I now know why so many couriers have old gt550's etc.
04 March 2003, 03:41 PM
#24
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Puff tried GTi Insurance and also Vauntage got back to me, both were pretty much the same, £2300 for fully comp and £930 ish for 3rd party fire and theft.
Still can't do it as I am only paying £450 fully comp at the moment and not prepared to drop my cover and double the cost.
Apparently now the way its worked out is that its 3 times what normal cover would be for social/domestic etc. However its only the companies who have high normal premiums in comparison to other companies that will provide courier cover.
Looks like its back to the driving agencies and do some white van driving.
Many thanks for your help tho m8
Still can't do it as I am only paying £450 fully comp at the moment and not prepared to drop my cover and double the cost.
Apparently now the way its worked out is that its 3 times what normal cover would be for social/domestic etc. However its only the companies who have high normal premiums in comparison to other companies that will provide courier cover.
Looks like its back to the driving agencies and do some white van driving.
Many thanks for your help tho m8
04 March 2003, 05:52 PM
#25
Pontificating
UB
It was corner of Bedford street and Chandos (great cafe all those years ago), did you work in the ill fated Metro dept??, If you did we must have known each other and a fair few others as well, I used to work down in the Metro office with Rico and we are both still there, for cash reasons only.
When did u work there and whats your real name, I cant remember any UB's working there.
It would be hard for anyone to get in there now, all long term guys (3) sitting around drinking coffee and getting some serious dosh with their out of town work.
Dave
It was corner of Bedford street and Chandos (great cafe all those years ago), did you work in the ill fated Metro dept??, If you did we must have known each other and a fair few others as well, I used to work down in the Metro office with Rico and we are both still there, for cash reasons only
.When did u work there and whats your real name, I cant remember any UB's working there
.It would be hard for anyone to get in there now, all long term guys (3) sitting around drinking coffee and getting some serious dosh with their out of town work.
Dave
04 March 2003, 06:18 PM
#26
Pontificating
UB
It was long and blonde then (84) highlighted mullet probably but i was in the office, yeah Bernie was mental, Meakins went on to be the General Manager until he was asked to leave in 2000, he was a naughty boy, very creative with the accounts so the rumours go, do Graham Tyler, Graham White, Al Lomax (still there) the Cutts brothers ring any bells??.
p.s. The only scoob at WC is mine
It was long and blonde then (84) highlighted mullet probably
but i was in the office, yeah Bernie was mental, Meakins went on to be the General Manager until he was asked to leave in 2000, he was a naughty boy, very creative with the accounts so the rumours go, do Graham Tyler, Graham White, Al Lomax (still there) the Cutts brothers ring any bells??.p.s. The only scoob at WC is mine
04 March 2003, 06:26 PM
#27
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Stone me that's amazing. You're still there!! I was (still am) Robin I had a beard back in those days and an australian gf. I knew JD and Bernie pretty well and used to visit them often at their place in Forest Hill. Yes John Cutts was the guy that hired me Good bloke. Funny about Mr Meakins. I also remember Mr (wobbly) Webbly, John Constantine(?) scouser bloke and the girls in the office, one of which was your gf as I remember??
And of course that dreadful Trevor bloke[img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img] they took on as 'Transport Manager' who just sacked anyone who crossed him (me included). I also remember you blowing up one of the black BMWs because he neglected to get it serviced. How we all hated that s**t [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img][img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img] What happened to him??
I had a beard back in those days and an australian gf. I knew JD and Bernie pretty well and used to visit them often at their place in Forest Hill. Yes John Cutts was the guy that hired me Good bloke. Funny about Mr Meakins. I also remember Mr (wobbly) Webbly, John Constantine(?) scouser bloke and the girls in the office, one of which was your gf as I remember??And of course that dreadful Trevor bloke[img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img] they took on as 'Transport Manager' who just sacked anyone who crossed him (me included). I also remember you blowing up one of the black BMWs because he neglected to get it serviced.
How we all hated that s**t [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img][img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img] What happened to him??
04 March 2003, 06:55 PM
#28
Pontificating
UB
I was Dave the office not Dave the bike, similar in looks though!! I was 17 at the time.
I do remember Trevor being a total **** though, I dont know if you remember Karl Mcpherson (Exports, west Indian guy always liked a row, still there also,along with Jude,Mervyn,Mina,Pan thats about it now) he used to row with Trevor all the time and could never make bernie out, its funny he still mentions Bernie from time to time.
Did you ever work with a young lad called Alan Bryan, he buggered off to Dubai but now he is back another ****.
Anyway's never thought I'd come across another inmate, im up for parole in 2004
I was Dave the office not Dave the bike, similar in looks though!! I was 17 at the time.
I do remember Trevor being a total **** though, I dont know if you remember Karl Mcpherson (Exports, west Indian guy always liked a row, still there also,along with Jude,Mervyn,Mina,Pan thats about it now) he used to row with Trevor all the time and could never make bernie out, its funny he still mentions Bernie from time to time.
Did you ever work with a young lad called Alan Bryan, he buggered off to Dubai but now he is back
another ****.Anyway's never thought I'd come across another inmate, im up for parole in 2004
03 April 2003, 12:21 PM
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Yes, it was in Southampton St in Covent Garden. The once famous World Courier. (they bought in the tapes of who shot JR if you remember that)
It was mostly all city and West End work. They had cars too, VW Golfs. I stuck to those after I got totalled at Tower Hill
**** me!! They're still going!! world courier
[Edited by unclebuck - 3/4/2003 1:23:18 PM]
It was mostly all city and West End work. They had cars too, VW Golfs. I stuck to those after I got totalled at Tower Hill
**** me!! They're still going!! world courier
[Edited by unclebuck - 3/4/2003 1:23:18 PM]