Has anyone worked as an independant courier?
 

I'm starting to look at different jobs as the one I've had now is struggling. I've been at the same company for the long time and the economy is taking its toll.

Any ways, one place I was looking at. The driver gets 100% of the fuel surcharge. So if a delivery is $20, and the surcharge is 10%, then you get $2. Do enough in a day and I guess it would pay for you gas. Of course you have to pay your gas, and any repairs.

They also require that you have class 13 insurance, delivery driver. Which I guess isn't hard to get. But they also need a "firm" number, or business I take it. Which is registered with WCB. This is where I'm stumped. I have to create my own registered business? Where can I learn about getting that done?

How does it work with taxes with gas and repairs? Do you get a portion of it back at tax time? Or is it considered a business expense?

Thanks all.

I don't think he's seeking a job, rather, he's seeking advice on this job.

I run a hot shot company. It's very time consuming and expensive to get started, there are a lot of hoops to jump through.

For your business, the first step is a name. You can do this on the internet with the government, if you have a credit card. You have to do this to get a business license with the city. To get that, you would need to register as a business, which involves going to city hall and filling out the paperwork and paying the fee. You have to make sure that you live in an area that allows home based businesses, check the zoning laws in your area to see what types of businesses are allowed. The next step is to go to the bank with your paperwork from the city and set up a business account. After this, you need to get ahold of WCB and set up an account with them. The fees for this can be paid monthly I believe. Once you're registered with the federal gov't, the city and WCB, you can go to ICBC and have delivery insurance put on your vehicle. This basically will cost double what you pay now for pleasure use.

Keep a mileage log in your vehicle, write down your starting odometer and your ending odometer EVERY DAY, and what the vehicle was used for. Keep EVERY receipt pertaining to your vehicle; wiper blades, fuel, oil changes, insurance, repairs...and take them all into your accountant at the end of the year with your mileage log so you can deduct those expenses. If you only use that vehicle for business, 100% of the time, then you can deduct 100% of the fuel expense. However, if you use it part of the time for personal use, then you have to deduct that amount from your write offs at the end of the tax year. Hope that helps. PM me if you need more help.

hello! fellow courier!!!
with cars, all the jobs are like what? $4 - $30, van jobs are ranged from 20- 100,
maintainence can cost you very much if you dont do any maintence yourself at all. (fluid changes, brakes, etc. etc.. ) you have to get good price on parts too!!!
you're a owner operater, they say you are your own boss, self employed,, but, dispatchers can play games with you anydays, you are just a poor little employee, and how long do you want to work as a courier? until 40 years old ? 50 ??? you made enough $ to retire?? if no, what you gonna do ? wash the dish in the restaurant?

and i have been working as a courier for 2 years, thats all i think about this industry. dead end!!!! see the economic is very slow now, but RIGHT NOW it's the best season, sept, oct, nov, dec, jan, are the busiest, make the most money, + we have a olympic game, it will be very busy then,,, BUT, whats after that? the future is very dark,,

when it was good economy, like 2006 and 2007, ,,, at 2008 i made $55000 a year in my astro van, $12000 for gas, $5000 in repairs, (tranny broke down once) put 80000 km on the odo,

for 2009 , i am only getting $30000 so far, its far lower than last year. but gas and maintence and the milage is around the same, everybody is struggling,
some company are laying off people, some company make their drivers work 4 days a week only,,, its terrible!

who do you work with ? you drive car or van 1 ton 5 ton ?? what?
i will definately stick with vans,

I own my own business, I run a 1 ton truck with a flat deck trailer for large stuff, I also have a Chevy Astro for small stuff, as well I also do piloting for oversized loads and traffic control. Between those things, I am quite busy, but i just started in March. With the economy being where it is right now, I've found that being as diverse as myself keeps me busier than I would be if I just focused on couriering, or hot shotting. Vehicle maintenance and insurance are the most costly for me, with fuel being close. I've had to keep my rates low to be competitive, as well as just starting, but when the economy turns around I will be able to raise my rates to make more profit on top of expenses. I'm keeping ahead right now with profit over expenses, but it will be a lot easier when I can charge more.

got some work for me ?

not right yet, but I'll keep you posted

Thanks for the info guys. I'm still at the same job.

Sounds like a few hoops to get through, but all doable.

Problem is my vehicle (car). I have a mysterious oil leak, either oil or power steering but my oil level hasn't changed. So I might have a p/s problem. Anyways, its just an option. I have driven bigger vehicles for work, like vans, 1 ton cubes so that would probably be more worth it.

either a 1 ton cube, or a 5 ton and you've bought yourself a job at a lot of places.