general gear

ok so ive started out in the murky world of courier work, but now im thinking about the kind of gear ill need to do a better job.

Most important is a healthy bank balance to tide you over whilst waiting to get paid!

Straps, a phone that truly answers when called, and a professional attitude!  

Oh yes................. a pen, to capture legible names and signatures!

'Roof Bars?'   I would say no, as I am sure most customers would not be happy having their goods transported on the top of a van!

good luck

hi viz, safety boots & hard hat, some site will not allow you on site without them, driving in France, Spare Bulb & Fuse Kit, GB Sticker, Hi Viz Vest ,Warning Triangle, Headlamp Converters, 2 x Breathalysers

Where do you stop with health & safety??

We had a driver arrive at collection and was asked at the gatehouise..
Do you have.
Hi Viz
Steel Toe Cap Footwear
Hardhat
Ear Protection
Goggles
First Aid Kit
.
The driver said i have a hard hat, hi viz and a first aid kit, The gatehouse chap then said the envelope you are collecting is at reception.
 

Guys, guys, guys. Once again you have failed to mention the one absolutely essential bit of kit every courier should carry at all times.

One of the most important things is to carry MAPS. For those who rely on sat navs to get them places.

Hi Viz useful, but not essential, most will lend you one if it's needed.....lots of stuff you'll need once in a blue moon so i for one don't think it essential....BUT i'd invest in a decent handsfree...so many are crap...you either can't hear me or i can't hear you....mostly its just common sense....

well thats made things a lot cheaper,lol

Never mind about the purchase price of roof bars - their biggest cost would be in lower MPG - don't go there.

Dont forget your pack of johnnies to go with the blankets lol

its not broke back mountain couriers,lol

I agree with above, never use satnav in london cos every dog and his dick uses them, unless youve got one with Live traffic which works most of the time and takes you round the less congested routes.

You may find a sack trolley useful, for the jobs where you've got 30 boxes of A4 paper to lug to the top floor of a building...

All of the above (nice one RGM) whatch out for the..."rouges" make sure you know WHO you are working for and if your not sure  GET payment upfront i.e. BACS or CASH on Collection / delivery. its so easy to be fooled by the con men..... even on here, I speak from experience, I think we ALL know him. good luck and let everyone know where you are.

yeah the payment is always worrying when its a one off delivery but so far so good.

Trouble with that idea is that the goods will have been delivered long b4 the query

at the moment my deliveries all pay cash, haven't had anyone want to pay any other way, im sure they will soon enough though.

Cash eh?.....unusual that unless you're doing ebayers....You'll find most Companies will expect to be invoiced, and will pay 30days.

Thats where a stay at home partner comes in handy, someone owes me £150, not much i know but principal really, and she has belled his phone out constantly, promises have been made and now they are saying they have sent a cheque, she has advised him if it hasnt arrived by Friday the phone calls will start again from morning until night haha

I'd be careful doing that if I was you mate. It's harassment ... it's illegal ... and it could well result in a visit from PC Plod.

yeah i did a few ebayers to get the ball rolling, got myself some work with a local courier firm which will help too, ill try to make sure ppl are aware that unless they have an account they cannot pay by invoice, its normal to have t produce documents to prove your a good payer to have any chance of paying by invoice so maybe ill introduce a small print,lol , first few jobs cash or cards then if you pay on time you get invoice options. who knows im sure ill come across the lot

I gave someone a job to Scotland, he knew of me (off a site) and agreed a price and terms (30 days) he did offer me a better price for swifter terms (but didnt go into any price detail) told him I was happy with the price offered and he did the job, he then rung me up or texted me every day after that, I paid him after a week cos I was fed up with the pestering, yeah he got his money earlier than expected but he'll never get any more work from me!