The above is a very low estimate for an overnight shipment. If you are shipping a package of any weight at all, the cost multiplies quickly. Instantaneous delivery plus pick-up could be an attractive one-up on overnight delivery, particularly when shipping heavy or fragile items. It might, however, be difficult to figure how many jobs you can take on while undercutting the competition and still making it worth your while, and still have the time free for other duties. Perhaps you could present yourself to a local small business and offer to undercut their current shipping service for overnight and international packages instead of going out and looking for customers yourself?
Well, I think I want to try to specialize, you know? I'm not looking to put UPS out of business, there's only one of me after all! And I have school and the team. This is called "low cost business for Clarice's shopping money." Or future investments. I feel lacking without a 401K.
Anyways...I think specializing in remote locations or far away destinations. Here to Moscow, not here to Ithaca. But I do like your idea about going to some of the local businesses as opposed to looking for Joe Schmoe who needs to mail a birthday gift.
I want to make sure that what I do is LEGAL you know?
If you're crossing international lines, unless you pop into a customs office to declare whatever it is you've brought over, then technically it's not. Legal, that is. Which makes you very attractive to certain people for several reasons, both shady and not.
Going about this as a solo courier has its advantages--setting your own hours, being able to decide what packages you are and aren't willing to take, and a full share in the profits (which I imagine in your case would be considerable, since you wouldn't have to worry about expenses like plane tickets or hotel rooms). That said, there are advantages to doing this work for someone, including protection and having some clout to negotiate with when you've got someone who wants this package in Nairobi yesterday. But I'd be careful who I signed on with--like I said, your abilities make you very attractive as a courier, and there are a lot of people out there who would look to take advantage of that.
Anyway. If you're really serious about this, you should buy me a drink sometime and we can talk about it. Or, more likely, you can get me drunk and I'll start telling ridiculous work stories, some of which might even be true. Either way.
Right, but the thing that makes you stand out from the competition is your ability to smuggle contraband--or, if not contraband, per se, things that Certain People don't want Other People to know they have or have moved. Regardless of how you feel about it, that's going to attract a certain kind of client.
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chiming
no subject
Date: 2009-06-20 10:28 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2009-06-20 10:47 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2009-06-20 11:13 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2009-06-20 11:55 pm (UTC)From:Anyways...I think specializing in remote locations or far away destinations. Here to Moscow, not here to Ithaca. But I do like your idea about going to some of the local businesses as opposed to looking for Joe Schmoe who needs to mail a birthday gift.
I want to make sure that what I do is LEGAL you know?
no subject
Date: 2009-06-21 01:27 pm (UTC)From:Going about this as a solo courier has its advantages--setting your own hours, being able to decide what packages you are and aren't willing to take, and a full share in the profits (which I imagine in your case would be considerable, since you wouldn't have to worry about expenses like plane tickets or hotel rooms). That said, there are advantages to doing this work for someone, including protection and having some clout to negotiate with when you've got someone who wants this package in Nairobi yesterday. But I'd be careful who I signed on with--like I said, your abilities make you very attractive as a courier, and there are a lot of people out there who would look to take advantage of that.
Anyway. If you're really serious about this, you should buy me a drink sometime and we can talk about it. Or, more likely, you can get me drunk and I'll start telling ridiculous work stories, some of which might even be true. Either way.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-21 01:35 pm (UTC)From:But I would LOVE to buy you a drink. Or five. Let me know when.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-22 04:47 am (UTC)From:Later this week sometime?