Starting out - Am I on the right road?

Hi all, glad to be here looks like an excellent forum.

A bit of back-story, I am a self employed web designer, have work and make a decent living.

That said I sit at home all day staring at a PC and would like to get out sometimes, doing this for 10 years will give you cabin fever.

I could do what I do now in the evenings and weekends, there isn't much more work out there in my field at the moment so i have a fair amount of free time to fill also.

The main reason I tell you this is many new starters need a full time wage, i dont really, which I think changes things a bit. So i thought i better start my own topic.

My plan is to do some euro work off Courier Exchange. I dont really want to be organising lots of journeys each day/week, seems like a simpler option. I've done shed loads of Euro driving in vans in the past.

I've watched the exchange site a lot and it seems plenty of work gets posted daily, but I live in the real world. I plan to get a big van to make myself more available and I'm interested to know if i would be able to get 3+ LWB van runs into Europe a month? Is this realistic?

What sort of rates are out there for Euro LWB drivers? I've done my sums and some research too but thought I'd ask before taking the plunge, £0.85+ pplm possible?

When I quote I assume I do pplm + tolls and chunnel/ferrys at cost? Is it normal to add nights out or should I factor this in elsewhere?

One last thing, someone said on another forum that I could ask for a percentage upfront as euro jobs have large initial outlay. Do many companies go for this? Its not about cash flow in my case, more so trust, i will be fronting a lot on chunnel/fuel/tolls etc and then praying i get paid 30 days after. I would be much happier knowing at least the fuel is paid should they go AWOL.

Thanks in advance for your help. Connor.

G'day, There are far more knowledgeable people on this site than me when it comes to Euro work, UK work as well for that matter but if I was in your position I would think twice about trying to compete with the East European boys who seem to have cut the rate for this type of work to the bone and will be even worse when Bulgaria & Romania have a free reign soon while spending the subsidies they get of the EU paid for with your taxes. Would be different though if you have your own reliable customer base. I joined an exchange type site to a bit a gain work at a price lower than Courier Exchange but have yet to see a job near my area let alone get it since I paid. Best of luck if you go ahead but ... only my opinion for what it's worth.

Yes everbody come to The Uk, the roads are paved with gold, but escuse the few pot holes, there is everything here, it never rains, there is loads of nice countryside with lovely villages, everything is cheap, food, clothes, vehicles and fuel, tell everyone to come, kids, aunties, grandads we welcome you with open arms, this is the new Europe, a better Europe, lets all play happy families, bring you 15 year old Sprinters the Uk has no shortage of work, in fact so much we cant cope.

Wood & Sons said:

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Yes everbody come to The Uk, the roads are paved with gold, but escuse the few pot holes, there is everything here, it never rains, there is loads of nice countryside with lovely villages, everything is cheap, food, clothes, vehicles and fuel, tell everyone to come, kids, aunties, grandads we welcome you with open arms, this is the new Europe, a better Europe, lets all play happy families, bring you 15 year old Sprinters the Uk has no shortage of work, in fact so much we cant cope.

Am I missing something here apart from the potholes?

You say you have done shed loads of euro work in the past, then you ASK if 3 trips a month is possible, i'm one confused man?

I can't see anyone giving you any money upfront.

You missing nothing, I think the Uk has improved a hell of a lot in the last few years, it's on the up again.

I thought there would be more money in being a web designer.. In fact stick with that Job, it pays more and is guarenteed

It is possible to drive all over Europe and be in a completely different business to haulage...

I'm not changing jobs, web design is easy and takes little of my tie, I'm looking o do something extra, clearly a waste of time though.

Clearly...TBH? You might be better off being a lifestyle courier.

Well, on this forum and elsewhere I am told, normally very sarcastically that the 'poles' have taken every job and unless I can run bent @ 1pplm I should stick to my fancy day job... unless I'm missing something?

Make it 2pplm, you will get loads of work.

Its the poles! Its the poles! Save us!

You're obviously not taking this seriously, you clearly havent done your homework and if your thinking of making loadsa money in this game you're in for a shock.

I'm not taking this seriously?

I am new, I asked some newbie questions, I get cryptic smart replies.

Just usual forum elitism.

Where did I say I wanted loads of money?

I said, quite clearly i wanted the odd run to Europe for extra pocket change.

Haven't done my homework? Well I tried, the teachers were having a bad day.

Posting a phone no up of 123456 doesn't exactly give u any credibility

I did it to avoid a sales call, I am not a courier, so have no interest in signing up here.

But please, do explain why I need one to post asking for startup advise?

Perhaps everyone here would prefer to call and tell me the poles have ruined everything?

Ahmed Couriers said:

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I did it to avoid a sales call, I am not a courier, so have no interest in signing up here.

But please, do explain why I need one to post asking for startup advise?

Hi Dave, you have already signed up here. You should complete your profile correctly.

Your discussion topic is of interest but mtvan is a trade only site. You should have only really registered if you were serious about doing courier work.

No problem, I shall move on, thank you for you time.

Connor.

Ahmed Couriers said:

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I said, quite clearly i wanted the odd run to Europe for extra pocket change.

Ahmed Couriers said:

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I am not a courier, so have no interest in signing up here.

No wonder prices are being driven down.. say it all really

Ahmed Couriers said:

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It is possible to drive all over Europe and be in a completely different business to haulage...

Yes, how about as a tourist but can't think of much else that would not be in 'haulage' in one guise or another.

Ahmed Couriers said:

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No problem, I shall move on, thank you for you time.

Dave.

Hope some of your questions were answered. Best of luck and do come back if you decide to get into couriering.