Becoming a courier

repiV · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 May 2007 Karma :

Hi all,

First post here, been browsing for a while though. Would appreciate the advice of any couriers here.

Basically I'm between jobs at the moment and strongly considering becoming a courier. I'm sick of the rat race (hell, I'm only 21, but office work just ain't for me)...only problem is I don't have a lot of money behind me.
I have an interview with one of the bigger courier companies tomorrow...realistically the only way I can get started is to hire a bike...about £385 a month all-inclusive plus £200 deposit, and I'd have to pay by credit card as I'm that lacking in funds right now.
I really can't face the thought of donning the suit and tie again right now though...so I'm thinking it's gotta be worth it even if it's a struggle initially.
Really I want to know which companies I should be looking at for the best deal - who would be willing to pay my bike hire for me and take it out of my wages for example, and who I'm most likely to earn money quickly with. Guarantees would take a load off my mind as would the option to work 7 days a week when I need to at the start.
I've been riding on CBT for a couple of weeks (done about 1000 miles though) and have my test on Friday, so as far as I know I'm not eligible for any company bike hire schemes.
The bike I've got sitting outside is a Fazer, and courier insurance would cost... £4.5k... Laughing

... so that option is out.
I'm not afraid of hard work...I've just come out of an environment where I was working 10-12 hour days under constant pressure and usually no break. I just need to know that I'm going to be ok financially and not set myself up for disaster, and I'd really rather avoid putting bike hire on credit card if I can.

Any advice much appreciated. I really want to make this work.

hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Try spending a bit of time sitting around amongst the couriers outside Costa Coffee in Great Marlborough Street, in the West End of London.

That'll give you some idea of what couriering is like Thumbs Up

____________________
Not nearly as interesting in real life.

repiV · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 May 2007 Karma :

BorderHooner · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Karma :

ride for a year first imho dude - but if it's yer dream go for it. Personally I reckon most firms won't touch you due to inexperience. I wait to be proved wrong.
____________________
Benelli. Happy as a pig in cacky.

hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I'm serious.
They're a little mad, but for the most part a nice bunch of guys ... some of them are very good mates of mine

Just plot up with a bunch of couriers for a bit, hang around, see what the pro's and cons are, and then make a decision.
Thumbs Up

____________________
Not nearly as interesting in real life.

repiV · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 May 2007 Karma :

repiV · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 May 2007 Karma :

LUXY DJ · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Karma :

i do bike courier & ITS GREAT FUN! Thumbs Up

& pays well Thumbs Up

BUT - IM ENGLISH! Shocked

____________________
GSXR750
(FAR FAR from standard) www.gixerjunkies.net

hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

repiV · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 May 2007 Karma :

repiV · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 May 2007 Karma :

LUXY DJ · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Karma :

iv got fam in scotlnd aswell Wink

it pays well enuff but then it should do, its a risky job flying around london's mad streets 8 - 6 mon - fri

i heard a few times that the life span of a courier is 3yrs! Shocked

if its busy enuff you can see £350+ & up to £750 odd a week but i love riding around all day cause i love bikes so much! & to get paid for it is just an added bonus Thumbs Up

watch out in summer time tho! THE LADIES ON STREET! Shocked

they should have there own walking insurance in summer i swear!! - amount of times iv nearly crashed cause im clocking them Twisted Evil

oh btw - i used my gixer a few times when my other bikes where fcuked & it was £380 A MONTH!!!!!!!!! Thumbs Down

____________________
GSXR750
(FAR FAR from standard) www.gixerjunkies.net

hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

If you see a big scary loud scottish facist NF type who has a dodgy cheekbone and is built like a brick shit-house, tell him I send him a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiggggggg hug Thumbs Up

But don't actually hug him Shocked

____________________
Not nearly as interesting in real life.

repiV · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 May 2007 Karma :

repiV · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 May 2007 Karma :

pwntifex · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Karma :

repiV · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 May 2007 Karma :

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Only 4 companies worth working for. In no particular order City Sprint, Lewis Day, Addison Lee, Reuter Brookes.

If you have time to drink coffee you're crap and should change jobs.

If you only earn £350 a week for 5 days the same applies.

I haven't worked for 4.5 months and did a £122 day today.

repiV · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 May 2007 Karma :

Spoken to City Sprint and Lewis Day - they're only looking for experienced people at the moment. Need to be 25 to work for Addison Lee...not heard of Reuter Brookes and I can't find them on the internet for some reason.

You think I should be able to earn £350 a week straight off the bat with 2 weeks' riding experience and limited knowledge of the London road network (that I am obviously willing to improve)?

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Except you won't be in London.

Today I went...

EC>SW4>Purley>Gatwick>Belvedre>Dogs>EC2>EC2> Farnborough>Southampton.

repiV · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 May 2007 Karma :

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Louise · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 May 2006 Karma :

Most Courier people ive come across are just pratts IMO. Squeezing into tiny gaps, even cutting me up. Some close calls.
I wouldnt mind being a courier - But im 23 1 yrs riding and my insurance quote was 5k

Louise

Louise · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 May 2006 Karma :

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :