Great heads up, I was considering joining CX to be up and running by September 2024, but after you've brought all the overheads to my attention I'm reconsidering my start date, I worked as an employed courier many years ago (before satnav and smart phones) and thoroughly enjoyed it, I'm going to take your advice and start with a local courier firm as an owner driver, im in a position to be able to buy a van outright, so no finance but there's still insurance and running cost's. Thanks for the eye opener, you now have another subscriber.
Really enjoying your channel James. After being self employed for over 28 years with several businesses the adage ‘it’s not what you take, it’s what you make’ has always been at the forefront of every decision.
Hi Freddie, I did a 5 year hire purchase on a High top Ford Transit van. This video is brilliant for giving detail. Yes I did my business plan based on a year trading with Courier Exchange. I covered my van purchase/maintenance all my insurances required. My fuel cost mileages too.. But where I went wrong is the deliveries, I thought if I saw 5 jobs in my radius area (making it simple). Say I had job From Swansea one in Neath and one Port Talbot two jobs was going 5 miles apart and one to Swindon and then I had Swindon to Cardiff and Chippenham to Swansea.. My days run would cover my mileage on every mile. Business plan was £58.500 for a 7 day week and pretty much driving 16 hour days.. The plan was so wrong. I actually joined a couple of different platforms, Shiply being the one I still try.. And Any Van I liked because you could collect a job and get paid same week, But I used estate car to build cash flow for van and sacked me even though I was self employed. My honest opinion why pay a company £1700 circa then wait 30-90 days for your sent invoices to be paid. Sheer bonkers. I don't go to my local Tesco and pick -up a loaf of bread and milk and say to check out pay you in 90 days time. Courier exchange could easily put a courier into huge debt.. Really struggled to pay my van. Maintenance was zero yes I did mots and tyres brakes wheel bearings wet belt and so on.. But in 5 years ownership, my van didn't luckily do many miles just under 42,000 and half of that was private mileage I think its been out of use 3 years.. In life we all have choices and I guess a business like courier exchange make a small fortune, from both drivers silly enough to join and businesses that have partnered with CX Like pet food suppliers. it saves them having vans /drivers. And they get free delivery to the sellers of there products Even though a delivery charge is implied with 30-90 days by which time the consumer joe public have bought the products. In other words the products need to be sold before the delivery driver gets paid..
My tip. Start with a small berlingo type van. Far less fuel outlay. Reduced operating costs. I've run big curtainsiders and I still think little vans are best.
I run a swb and although my running costs are lower than a LWB. I personally think that the area where you live plays a much bigger factor in your overall profit.
Great informative video James, I’m new to the courier industry however I’ve past experience in the haulage industry. Enjoying my life back on the road and it’s about time I did another job for you👍
30 days eom, you can add another week onto that. Im sure when your just starting out they see that and some shippers wont pay you hoping a payment will slip through the cracks at your end until you get the hang of invoicing. So expect the payment will be on they next run shpeel they churn out which could add another week to the payment date. Dont fall for it, it takes seconds to pay.
I can easily do 100 dead miles in a day. Fuel is the biggest outlay on a weekly basis unless you get a fuel card. You do need a few grand in the bank when you start just to cover the fuel & insurance
How to cut your insurance: Depending on your circumstances, you can slash your insurance especially for new drivers with no courier no-claims. I had full no claims on my car, and it is possible to transfer this to a new van, and because of my post code and age, it cost only a little more to insure the car, whilst cutting 100s from van insurance. Thanks to BCD for the suggestion :-)
All id say pal is bud every single job and just keep doing it you’ll get something eventually. Also use the directory to speak to companies local to you and tell them you can sub for them whenever they need it.
£1450 is definitely realistic in a lwb. Small van, trampers drivers make this. £1400 £2000 a week for small van. £2500 £3500 in a Luton easy. Idlf you make £1450 in a LWB, you should just leave the CX and go stack shelfs at Asda.
Comon James... I'm not saying the CX is the best thing in the world. But this is very easily achievable. If you are willing to work at any time and take any job and sleep anywhere, This is easy. You really need to put in the work. If you don't know anyone really.... They haven't mastered the art of running on the CX. You work at any time you get a load, And sleep when you don't. Load at 2am..... Take it finish it sleep for 5 hours wake up and go again. I'm actually disappointed with £2500 per week, that is just minimum. £3500+ is good.
Great heads up, I was considering joining CX to be up and running by September 2024, but after you've brought all the overheads to my attention I'm reconsidering my start date, I worked as an employed courier many years ago (before satnav and smart phones) and thoroughly enjoyed it, I'm going to take your advice and start with a local courier firm as an owner driver, im in a position to be able to buy a van outright, so no finance but there's still insurance and running cost's. Thanks for the eye opener, you now have another subscriber.
Thanks for subscribing pal, yeh I’ll be honest this years been really quiet in the industry. Hopefully next year picks up
Really enjoying your channel James. After being self employed for over 28 years with several businesses the adage ‘it’s not what you take, it’s what you make’ has always been at the forefront of every decision.
I know I’m old school but I was taught not never buy work. Make/earn your own work. Thanks pal
Hi Freddie, I did a 5 year hire purchase on a High top Ford Transit van.
This video is brilliant for giving detail.
Yes I did my business plan based on a year trading with Courier Exchange.
I covered my van purchase/maintenance all my insurances required. My fuel cost mileages too..
But where I went wrong is the deliveries, I thought if I saw 5 jobs in my radius area (making it simple).
Say I had job From Swansea one in Neath and one Port Talbot two jobs was going 5 miles apart and one to Swindon and then I had Swindon to Cardiff and Chippenham to Swansea..
My days run would cover my mileage on every mile.
Business plan was £58.500 for a 7 day week and pretty much driving 16 hour days.. The plan was so wrong.
I actually joined a couple of different platforms, Shiply being the one I still try.. And Any Van I liked because you could collect a job and get paid same week, But I used estate car to build cash flow for van and sacked me even though I was self employed.
My honest opinion why pay a company £1700 circa then wait 30-90 days for your sent invoices to be paid. Sheer bonkers.
I don't go to my local Tesco and pick -up a loaf of bread and milk and say to check out pay you in 90 days time.
Courier exchange could easily put a courier into huge debt.. Really struggled to pay my van. Maintenance was zero yes I did mots and tyres brakes wheel bearings wet belt and so on..
But in 5 years ownership, my van didn't luckily do many miles just under 42,000 and half of that was private mileage I think its been out of use 3 years..
In life we all have choices and I guess a business like courier exchange make a small fortune, from both drivers silly enough to join and businesses that have partnered with CX Like pet food suppliers. it saves them having vans /drivers. And they get free delivery to the sellers of there products Even though a delivery charge is implied with 30-90 days by which time the consumer joe public have bought the products.
In other words the products need to be sold before the delivery driver gets paid..
My tip. Start with a small berlingo type van. Far less fuel outlay. Reduced operating costs. I've run big curtainsiders and I still think little vans are best.
I run a swb and although my running costs are lower than a LWB. I personally think that the area where you live plays a much bigger factor in your overall profit.
Good tip pal
@@leechi001 definitely
Well done 👏 mate explaining the real facts about the business hope some people learn and don’t just jump in the industry…without planning
Spot on boss. Glad you spoke about the running costs prior to your take home. 👍
Great video again James 👌 I found it is very expensive but I'm enjoying it and enjoying myself
Great informative video James, I’m new to the courier industry however I’ve past experience in the haulage industry. Enjoying my life back on the road and it’s about time I did another job for you👍
Hopefully soon pal
30 days eom, you can add another week onto that. Im sure when your just starting out they see that and some shippers wont pay you hoping a payment will slip through the cracks at your end until you get the hang of invoicing. So expect the payment will be on they next run shpeel they churn out which could add another week to the payment date. Dont fall for it, it takes seconds to pay.
I can easily do 100 dead miles in a day. Fuel is the biggest outlay on a weekly basis unless you get a fuel card. You do need a few grand in the bank when you start just to cover the fuel & insurance
Yeh I was just using 100 a week as a minimum really. Your right fuel is a massive cost to couriers
Thank you James for great video
Not to mention that Cx is a driver saturated market at the moment, 800 could be optimistic on your figures as the rates are generally lower.
Another great informative vlog
How to cut your insurance: Depending on your circumstances, you can slash your insurance especially for new drivers with no courier no-claims. I had full no claims on my car, and it is possible to transfer this to a new van, and because of my post code and age, it cost only a little more to insure the car, whilst cutting 100s from van insurance. Thanks to BCD for the suggestion :-)
Is it still hire & reward insurance. Without it you won't be insured to carry any goods as a Courier. The CX will not allow you to join without it.
@@leechi001 BCD told me about it - if you dont trust the broker recommended by CX and other courier networks.... :-)
fantastic advice 👍
Make a list of what u need to start
Hello James I got xlwb van one weeks ago I’m biting a job but I couldn’t get any job can you advice me please
Hi pal, sure what do you wanna know? What are you charging a mile? Is it on Cx?
@@JamesFletcherVlogs I’m biting 1.20 for per maile but still I can get any Job
All id say pal is bud every single job and just keep doing it you’ll get something eventually. Also use the directory to speak to companies local to you and tell them you can sub for them whenever they need it.
“…10 hours *internal monologue*….LEGALLY 10.” 😐😂😜
Yeh we’ve always got to be legal and above board. No over driving Toby 🙄
Hi, I am trying to join cx at the moment and cx is demanding £3400 including vat per year. please advise about where to get it cheaper
£3400??? For what package?
That's seems well expensive. I wonder what van/truck he's driving.
I reckon they’re trying to flog the fleet package to post loads
Yeh it’s £294 a month for the fleet/ pro package we have if you start now.
Can anybody tell me Is this worth doing 2 days a week in a van or is the app,insurance and fuel too expensive?
100% not worth it unless your doing it full time
CX I've just heard bad things about it.
Hi how can apply this app please help me
This app is the Courier Exchange, you can go on there website and pay around £2000 to join.
And from &1450 tax
£1450 is definitely realistic in a lwb. Small van, trampers drivers make this. £1400 £2000 a week for small van. £2500 £3500 in a Luton easy.
Idlf you make £1450 in a LWB, you should just leave the CX and go stack shelfs at Asda.
I can honestly say I don’t know a single person making that sort of money per week off the CX. For small van LWB or Luton as you mentioned.
Comon James... I'm not saying the CX is the best thing in the world. But this is very easily achievable. If you are willing to work at any time and take any job and sleep anywhere, This is easy. You really need to put in the work.
If you don't know anyone really.... They haven't mastered the art of running on the CX. You work at any time you get a load, And sleep when you don't. Load at 2am..... Take it finish it sleep for 5 hours wake up and go again. I'm actually disappointed with £2500 per week, that is just minimum. £3500+ is good.
@@JamesFletcherVlogs I never actually done small van. Smallest I had is SWB/ MB Vito.