Freelance Couriers

I'm considerably inexperienced in the world of logistics and am looking for the answer to a simple question: Would you prefer to be a freelance courier if you could?

also if you've worked for a lot of time in he industry (on or off the bike) I'd love to hear your opinions over beer and burgers (my shout) some time.

Any responses (even you 'scoble) appreciated, PM if you're interested in meeting up.

I don't understand the question; prefer being a freelance courier to what? Almost all cycle couriers are nominally self-employed and in that sense are freelancers.

For quite a lot of the time I spent as a courier, I'd have preferred to have been retired.

I don't understand the question; prefer being a freelance courier to what? Almost all cycle couriers are nominally self-employed and in that sense are freelancers.

+1.

Being a freelance fakenger has its downs.

So does Hackney.

Being a freelance fakenger has its downs.

Paying your own hipster tax can result in savings though.

fakenger ≠ hipster

You've fucked up my tax code.

okay I'll back it up a bit: I was under the impression couriers work for a firm and are paid by that firm on a comission-heavy salary. Is this not so? If so how does the courier industry work?

Anyone willing to talk me though it?

Have you taken a look at Moving Target? I get the feeling all the info you want/need will probably be covered over there.

^ i think you're talking about mule-ing. I'm talking above board logistics.

Lemon: I took a peak and it seamed a bit forumish for me to get anything decent from. I've also had a read through the couple of forums here about best courier firms etc.

I'm just wondering what the working arrangements are between a courier and the company they're hired by?

The company always wins.

I did it for a day. If i remember right, if you only do one job in an hour for £3, then you screwed yourself because you are technically subcontracting for them

I just didn't hate myself enough

http://www.movingtargetzine.com/forum/discussion/597/got-a-question-about-being-or-becoming-a-cycle-courier-bicycle-messenger-check-for-answers-here/#Item_0

WW: how's that?

WW: how's that?

Presumably the client pays about £10 (if not more) for the package to be delivered. If courier gets £3 (if a previous post is to be believed) then company gets £7 without spinning a pedal. Therefore company always wins!

snoops: thanks, looking for more of an appreciation of the industry from an insider's POV rather than the mechanics of being a messenger. Interested in answers to questions like

• how are couriers employed (full-time/part-time/casual/contract)
  
• how are couriers paid (salaried/fixed-comission/variable-comission etc)
  
• who handles insurance/bags/radios etc.
  
• what %age revenue couriers take home
  
  

essentially, looking for long-time guys/gals ideally who've worked at multiple firms in multiple cities/countries to grill for a couple of hours.

omar: assuming overhead is 0, yeh.

Why are you doing this Benjam?

Early research for little project :)

and the project is................................?

cream off a little for himself?

snoops: thanks, looking for more of an appreciation of the industry from an insider's POV rather than the mechanics of being a messenger. Interested in answers to questions like

• how are couriers employed (full-time/part-time/casual/contract)
  
• how are couriers paid (salaried/fixed-comission/variable-comission etc)
  
• who handles insurance/bags/radios etc.
  
• what %age revenue couriers take home
  
  

essentially, looking for long-time guys/gals ideally who've worked at multiple firms in multiple cities/countries to grill for a couple of hours.

couriers are self employed and paid either per package delivered at whatever rate the company offer or are given a guarantee (say £200/week) and you can earn over that per package delivered. most companies give you equipment but you have to pay a deposit which is taken out of pay each week. there is not really any average pay. all depends on how fast you are and how many packages your company can offer.

it basically doesnt pay well and its certainly not a job you do to earn big bucks. it means you can work flexibly for cash doing something you enjoy

hope that helps a bit?

How flexible is it? And is this £200/week guarantee quite usual?