danthevan started this topic @ 21:05 on 25/09/2006
I want to set up a national courier company but don't want to be a "man with a white van", any tips on how i go about this and whether its a good idea at all ? and is it better to do domestic door to door parcel delivery, desk to desk or contracts with websites.
RE: Couriers
x7.com | 26/09/2006 10:13 AM
Dan
send me your address and I will send you my book for free.
read page 128 !
when you make your millions send me my £10
Paul
www.X7.com
RE: RE: Couriers
Frankiej | 26/09/2006 11:05 AM
Before you venture into anything like this I would recommend visiting
http://www.codforum.org.uk/index.php
These guys know all there is to know about couriers and starting up a buisness like this. Worth a look. Good luck.
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RE: RE: Couriers
danthevan | 26/09/2006 04:38 PM
Paul
thanks for reply
i will give u my adress but can u tell me, is this book going to fit through the letter box ?
RE: Couriers
safenet | 26/09/2006 05:11 PM
Hi Dan,
It's a good idea if you think it is a good idea. Everyone has their own ideas about what is good and what isn't - if you want something to work, you can make it work.
However if you are wanting to avoid the "man with a van" image altogether you are probably going to have to make quite a significant investment in vehicles and staff. What would probably be more wise is to start out as a "man with a van" but make all your marketing material and website etc make it look like you are bigger than you are. People are probably more likely to use your services if they think you are large and have been going for a while.
Then once you have enough custom you can actually turn from the "man with a van" into the "man with a corporation".
All the best,
Chris
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RE: RE: Couriers
danthevan | 26/09/2006 05:39 PM
Originally posted by: safenet
Hi Dan,
It's a good idea if you think it is a good idea. Everyone has their own ideas about what is good and what isn't - if you want something to work, you can make it work.
However if you are wanting to avoid the "man with a van" image altogether you are probably going to have to make quite a significant investment in vehicles and staff. What would probably be more wise is to start out as a "man with a van" but make all your marketing material and website etc make it look like you are bigger than you are. People are probably more likely to use your services if they think you are large and have been going for a while.
Then once you have enough custom you can actually turn from the "man with a van" into the "man with a corporation".
All the best,
Chris
cheers chris
Thats exactley what i think. Ive always planned on making my company look like a "large company" rather than a "Man with white van" even if it means taking on alot of work to begin with, once i can see just how much buisness im getting i can expand to fit the demands and put more money into the company and nobody will ever know that i started as a man with 1 van.
RE: Couriers
stanleyjeans | 26/09/2006 09:08 PM
This is just an idea but have you thought about plugging into Ebay somehow? I send loads each week and if someone offered me a monthly/ weekly fee for all my uk deliveries i would seriously consider it. Look at the big players on Ebay and ask them if they would be interested.
Dont know if this is the direction you were thinking of?
Cheers liz.
RE: Couriers
x7.com | 28/09/2006 12:50 PM
Dan
when I closed one of my factories I helped one of the guys set up a business "medmoves" he's doing well and buys leads I will try and get you the details later
and yes my book is paper
Paul
www.x7.com
RE: RE: Couriers
Choice47 | 28/09/2006 12:59 PM
Hi all,
Dan, Best of luck with your business, it will work for you with dedication.
Paul, Read most of your posts last couple of days, kept me most entertained but i think you have offered decent advice. What is your opinion on telemarketing, cold calling on moving a business forward? Have you had first hand experience and does your book cover this in any way?
Thanks
John
RE: RE: Couriers
danthevan | 28/09/2006 06:40 PM
Cheers for all the replies everyone,
Paul, Did you get my email ?
RE: Couriers
danthevan | 29/09/2006 07:39 PM
Prices?
How much would you pay..?
and for what service/ distance ??
RE: Couriers
iceman9080 | 30/09/2006 01:26 AM
Hi
I've had a lot of experience telemarketing for courier companies. I actually worked in this capacity for a major London wide courier firm.
I managed to get a lot of appointments despite the competition, the sales people also seemed fairly good at converting business.
Also someone I knew had a courier franchise, I think for Parceline or something. He used to knock on doors in industrial estates and said it worked great getting him business.
If you wear a suit, get some business cards printed, get knocking on doors and just be yourself there is no reason why you can't get some people to give you a try.
Rather than giving people the hard sell, just introduce yourself and say something like you obviously have a courier company already but how would you feel if I could provide a better service.
Ask what they like about their current company so you know what to offer them, and if they like what you have to say, ask how can i get you to give me a try.
You also need to research pricing, in terms of other companies, and most importantly you have to be able to provide a good service..
I think this would be the best way of marketing yourself
Regards
Jonathan
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079 7658 5522
RE: RE: Couriers
danthevan | 30/09/2006 05:22 PM
Thanks for reply
I have found that there are many ways in which couriers charge from; mesuring by wieght of parcel plus set fee for the service, charging by distance- £1 per mile etc., or a set fee for the van size- Small £2.50, large £22.50 plus a set fee for major cities across the UK- Manchester £40, London £55 etc.
So I've done a combination of these and for an example how much would you pay for;
A 'Small Van' (500 kilo capacity) delivery from Newcastle Upon Tyne to London on a 'Same Day' rate.(Delivered before midnight the same day)