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| Bubbs |
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Bubbs
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 Posted: 15:47 - 30 Jun 2010  Post subject: London Courier? |
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To all those currently working as a courier or have been a courier.
I'm being laid off at the end of July and need a job for the 6 weeks that I remain in the Uk and have been considering working as a courier in London.
I used to work as a courier driving a van, but now that I have my bike with a decent sized Givi box I thought it would be quite easy to walk into this type of job.
I was just hoping someone could enlighten me on:
a) They pay
b) Petrol allowances, bike repair (will this be covered)
c) Do they sort you out a satnav
d) hours of work
e) How easy would it be to set up my own small business doing this so that I reap all the rewards 
What you think?
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Dibble
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| dodgydog |
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dodgydog
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| Posted: 19:32 - 30 Jun 2010 Post subject: |
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| Dibble wrote: | | Quote: | I thought it would be quite easy to walk into this type of job. |
I know it's entirely accidental on your part but I find this post slightly insulting......
To be good at the job requires a lot of natural skill, learning and practice.
Maybe I'm just being prickely and don't want to come over as unduly arsey but if you think possessing a bike and a top box will allow you to set up a business cutting out the established companies and make money in 6 weeks you've grossly underestimated the complexity of the industry.
To answer your question in my time I saw many riders turn up on almost new sportbikes having been made redundant/walked out/sacked from the bank for fraud.
Smart and eager in lovely new riding kit and full of hope they would set off confident they could manage a map and a radio.
Two weeks later they appeared to have aged ten years beaten down and dirty , mirrors missing and their fairing held together with ductape.
You may make money in 6 weeks, you may only cover your costs. July/August is the quietest time of year if your lucky somebody may give you a shot every fleet needs shitsweepers.
Sorry to be harsh 5 cold winters made me a realist. |
No different doing courier work in a van, the newbies come, the newbies go. shagged out, can't cope, thought it would be an easy job. Two (2) years in new van, just clicked over to 200,000 miles today 
(and compared to bike courier work, it is easy, only got up to 39,000 on the bike)
Dog
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Itchy
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| Posted: 19:36 - 30 Jun 2010 Post subject: |
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that reminds me we've not seen our bricklane chum for a whiel
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Bubbs
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Posted: 20:53 - 30 Jun 2010  Post subject: |
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| Dibble wrote: |
I know it's entirely accidental on your part but I find this post slightly insulting......
To be good at the job requires a lot of natural skill, learning and practice.
Maybe I'm just being prickely and don't want to come over as unduly arsey but if you think possessing a bike and a top box will allow you to set up a business cutting out the established companies and make money in 6 weeks you've grossly underestimated the complexity of the industry.
To answer your question in my time I saw many riders turn up on almost new sportbikes having been made redundant/walked out/sacked from the bank for fraud.
Smart and eager in lovely new riding kit and full of hope they would set off confident they could manage a map and a radio.
Two weeks later they appeared to have aged ten years beaten down and dirty , mirrors missing and their fairing held together with ductape.
You may make money in 6 weeks, you may only cover your costs. July/August is the quietest time of year if your lucky somebody may give you a shot every fleet needs shitsweepers.
Sorry to be harsh 5 cold winters made me a realist. |
Uh..... Ok you failed to answer any of my question, and actually failed to read it too by the sound of it. You seem to be insulted by a miss understanding of one point and taken it wrongly.
This:
| Quote: | How easy is it to set up your own business and reap the benefits.
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(said in a half joking way)
Which would have required an answer along the lines of... yeah too hard to do in 6 weeks, or difficult, or no hope... which is what I was expecting the answer to be.
I'm pretty sure riding a bike round London (which i've been doing for 2 hours every day for the past 2 years) will be pretty straightforward to get into. I've worked as a London courier for a year in a van so I know what to expect from that. I would assume that the going is tough being in the saddle all day, and I have experienced 6-7 hour rides and the pains associated with that.
As with working a radio, I know how to use one, and I'm good at reading a map. I already know a lot of south London so that's half the battle.
So... If i was to join an existing company, which I implied in my first message, what would the pay be like, will they give me a sat nav, will they cover damages, do they pay your petrol?????
Thanks
 
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hmmmnz
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| lozzypop1 |
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lozzypop1
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| Posted: 11:19 - 01 Jul 2010 Post subject: |
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A few points..
1) Do you like your life?
2) Do you enjoy riding your bike?
3) Do you do things on the weekend?
4) Do you have a family/girlfriend/wife?
I'm guessing the answer to all the above is 'Yes' if that is the case, don't do it.
| Bubbs wrote: | | Dibble wrote: |
...stuff... |
Uh..... Ok you failed to answer any of my question, and actually failed to read it too by the sound of it. You seem to be insulted by a miss understanding of one point and taken it wrongly.
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See what happened there? Evidently Dibble is/was a courier.. This is what the job will do to you! You will become disillusioned, jaded and tired of the 'I want to be a courier' comments as soon as the sun starts shining.
Search for the existing threads on the subject, you'll see what i mean.
| Quote: | I would assume that the going is tough being in the saddle all day, and I have experienced 6-7 hour rides and the pains associated with that. |
You have also experienced the ability to stop for a break whenever you feel like it, and chances are you'll have half a clue as to where you are going and are unlikely to plan a trip in the harshest of weather conditions.
Even in the sunshine, you allow yourself stops to get some fluids down your neck, we all know dehydration isn't fun and is pretty dangerous... Not so easy when you're on a deadline and haven't got time to find a public loo.
| Quote: | what would the pay be like, |
Crap, unless you become very very good in a short space of time. You'll be lowest on the food chain when jobs are handed out.
| Quote: | will they give me a sat nav, |
No. They may rent one to you along with the radio/XDA/etc but you'll be very lucky to get one, and if you DO, you'll be expecting a miracle if you think it will work.
| Quote: | will they cover damages, |
No. Nor pay you for time off in the event of an accident. You'll need to sort yourself courier insurance.
| Quote: | do they pay your petrol????? |
No. That's coming out of your own pocket mate.
How long is a piece of string?
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Bubbs
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| Posted: 11:59 - 01 Jul 2010 Post subject: |
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| lozzypop1 wrote: | A few points..
1) Do you like your life?
2) Do you enjoy riding your bike?
3) Do you do things on the weekend?
4) Do you have a family/girlfriend/wife?
I'm guessing the answer to all the above is 'Yes' if that is the case, don't do it.
| Bubbs wrote: | | Dibble wrote: |
...stuff... |
Uh..... Ok you failed to answer any of my question, and actually failed to read it too by the sound of it. You seem to be insulted by a miss understanding of one point and taken it wrongly.
|
See what happened there? Evidently Dibble is/was a courier.. This is what the job will do to you! You will become disillusioned, jaded and tired of the 'I want to be a courier' comments as soon as the sun starts shining.
Search for the existing threads on the subject, you'll see what i mean.
| Quote: | I would assume that the going is tough being in the saddle all day, and I have experienced 6-7 hour rides and the pains associated with that. |
You have also experienced the ability to stop for a break whenever you feel like it, and chances are you'll have half a clue as to where you are going and are unlikely to plan a trip in the harshest of weather conditions.
Even in the sunshine, you allow yourself stops to get some fluids down your neck, we all know dehydration isn't fun and is pretty dangerous... Not so easy when you're on a deadline and haven't got time to find a public loo.
| Quote: | what would the pay be like, |
Crap, unless you become very very good in a short space of time. You'll be lowest on the food chain when jobs are handed out.
| Quote: | will they give me a sat nav, |
No. They may rent one to you along with the radio/XDA/etc but you'll be very lucky to get one, and if you DO, you'll be expecting a miracle if you think it will work.
| Quote: | will they cover damages, |
No. Nor pay you for time off in the event of an accident. You'll need to sort yourself courier insurance.
| Quote: | do they pay your petrol????? |
No. That's coming out of your own pocket mate.
How long is a piece of string? |
Thank you for you reply lozzy, given me the information I needed.
Given me a lot to think about. Might still give it a go for 6 weeks though if they are hiring.
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Posted: 12:41 - 01 Jul 2010  Post subject: |
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| Bubbs wrote: | Any that involve riding my bike?
There's got to be a use for her, that brings me joy too. |
They did an article in MCN a few years back about jobs you can do when riding your bike. They were all crappy and involve riding in nasty weather the entire day, usually on a joyless machine line an NTV600 or Divvy, and they ruin biking as a hobby. They were (from memory): courier, instructor, bike cop, paramedic and something else which I can't remember.
A friend of mine is really into radio controlled models. He has 15 radio controlled cars and buggies of various types, and he races them. He's pretty good, and a few years back he quit his job at the company I work for to go and work for HPI who are a famous British RC model kit manufacturer. He worked in the design and electronics department and hated every minute of it. It totally ruined the RC world as a hobby for him, and he doesn't have the same enthusiasm for it as he used to. He's now back working for the original company that he quit to go to HPI, and he's working in an industry that holds little interest for him. He's a much happier man, as he knows he can go home and do RC stuff, and it isn't going to make him think of work.
Making your hobby into your job is rarely successful, and is certainly not a route to instant happiness. I think you'd be foolish to consider any job that involves riding a bike TBH.
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rac3r
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| Posted: 13:07 - 01 Jul 2010 Post subject: |
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lozzypop1
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Imonster
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| Posted: 15:18 - 01 Jul 2010 Post subject: |
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If you only need to do it for a six week stint then go for it! If you were considering it as a long term "career" move I'd be saying otherwise.
For six weeks, at this time of year you'll make a few quid, have fun, and improve your riding. You won't be earning top money, but it hopefully won't be horrendous either.
When I bowed out of the game in 2006 I'd seen a noticeable downturn in my earnings compared to when I started five years prior to that...seems odd to gain five years experience in a job yet be earning considerably less.
However.
(i) Best time of year to do it.
(ii) Try and find a firm that'll supply a bike for an attendance bonus or buy a shitter so you don't knacker your pride and joy in the process (those six weeks will put 6k miles at a minimum on it).
(iii) Remember that no package is worth dying for and the time saving is minimal if you ride like a dick.
(iv) You will have to pay your own fuel.
(v) Google maps on your phone will do nearly as good a job as satnav (wish I'd have had it on my phone when DR'ing to save me carrying around umpteen maps!)
Go ahead and make a few phone calls
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Bubbs
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| Posted: 15:21 - 01 Jul 2010 Post subject: |
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| Imonster wrote: | If you only need to do it for a six week stint then go for it! If you were considering it as a long term "career" move I'd be saying otherwise.
For six weeks, at this time of year you'll make a few quid, have fun, and improve your riding. You won't be earning top money, but it hopefully won't be horrendous either.
When I bowed out of the game in 2006 I'd seen a noticeable downturn in my earnings compared to when I started five years prior to that...seems odd to gain five years experience in a job yet be earning considerably less.
However.
(i) Best time of year to do it.
(ii) Try and find a firm that'll supply a bike for an attendance bonus or buy a shitter so you don't knacker your pride and joy in the process (those six weeks will put 6k miles at a minimum on it).
(iii) Remember that no package is worth dying for and the time saving is minimal if you ride like a dick.
(iv) You will have to pay your own fuel.
(v) Google maps on your phone will do nearly as good a job as satnav (wish I'd have had it on my phone when DR'ing to save me carrying around umpteen maps!)
Go ahead and make a few phone calls |
Nice one, yeah it's only 6 weeks as I'm off travelling Canada for a year so just need a short term thing.
Thanks for that.
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Imonster
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| Posted: 15:23 - 01 Jul 2010 Post subject: |
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Oh, and it doesn't necessarily need to destroy your love of bikes if you did it long term, just roads. Hence getting the offroader - even in my current job I'm on the road all day so it's nice to have a hobby involving two wheels, but different to the day in, day out.
Prior to getting the dirt bike I hadn't been on a ride for pleasure at the weekend for years - now I itch to get out most every week (when the damn thing's working )
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TheDonUK
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| Posted: 15:27 - 01 Jul 2010 Post subject: |
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Its all been all really, pay is shit when you start out, only a few people can hack it long term.
i learned with maps in the winter  , never had a satnav.
The thing is you want short term money and there is a steep learning curve so those 6 weeks you are looking at wont be very profitable.
To make good money you have to be able to maintain your own bike at minimal cost, easy access to parts (at off hours), renting is easier, but eats into your earnings.
Better money to be made for 50-60 hour weeks elsewhere, maximum respect to those who earn a decent crust from it
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robbieguy2003
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| Posted: 15:42 - 01 Jul 2010 Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Making your hobby into your job is rarely successful, and is certainly not a route to instant happiness. I think you'd be foolish to consider any job that involves riding a bike TBH. |
This happened with me, I loved dicking around with computers, I'm now at a point where I cant move further forward technically (regardless of what company I go to). I can only really do sideways moves unless I go into management which I dont really want to do... I dont really enjoy doing much with computers these days, certainly not like i used to.. The above statement is exactly why I pay to get other people to do work on my bike, I want to be as uninvolved in the technical aspect as possible, and just enjoy it as a form of transport.. If I get too into it then I'll end up being involved or committed to something that eventually will fuck up my passion of bikes.
Having said that, a 6 week stint at courier work isn't going to dint your interest. and if you really dont like it/cant get on with it, you can still quit. Its not like you're signing a 6 week contract is it?
I think it'd be interesting, but I do agree with the comments from those that have been couriers. Looking at actually doing it, I could see it being a pain in the arse and a very difficult job to do well at. It would be both physically and mentally draining.
Even commuting to London on my bike I dont like, not because of the ride, but because when i wonder into a posh london office in bike gear, some of the looks you get are unbelievable. Some of the twats do believe your beneath them.
| Quote: | Prior to getting the dirt bike I hadn't been on a ride for pleasure at the weekend for years - now I itch to get out most every week (when the damn thing's working Very Happy ) |
This goes to show that if you can find something slightly different, it still wont ruin your fun and passion
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Bubbs
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| Posted: 15:46 - 01 Jul 2010 Post subject: |
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Well just phoned streetwise couriers:
https://www.streetwisecouriers.com/
The asked what size vehicle I had: 650cc
Did I have a top-box: Yes
Do I have good waterproofs: Nope but they work for a little bit
Then they said come in tomorrow, we need big bikes. You sound like the right kind of person. You can start Monday.
Said: Hmmm... Getting laid off the end of this month due to company cut backs, so will have to phone you in 4 weeks.
He said "Well phone me when your available and i'm confident you can start right away"
So I have 4 weeks of finding out all the info I need before deciding whether this is the option for me. Well that was easy.
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Andy C
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| Posted: 16:20 - 01 Jul 2010 Post subject: |
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| Bubbs wrote: | Well just phoned streetwise couriers:
https://www.streetwisecouriers.com/
The asked what size vehicle I had: 650cc
Did I have a top-box: Yes
Do I have good waterproofs: Nope but they work for a little bit
Then they said come in tomorrow, we need big bikes. You sound like the right kind of person. You can start Monday.
Said: Hmmm... Getting laid off the end of this month due to company cut backs, so will have to phone you in 4 weeks.
He said "Well phone me when your available and i'm confident you can start right away"
So I have 4 weeks of finding out all the info I need before deciding whether this is the option for me. Well that was easy. |
Good to hear that mate. Keep the thread updated to how it goes.
Best of luck
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TheDonUK
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| Posted: 17:35 - 01 Jul 2010 Post subject: |
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Whatever you do, dont pay out any initial fee's, if they are going to rent you the pda/radio that would come out of your wages, rather than you paying up front...
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The last post was made 15 years, 279 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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