Yodel/MyHermes/others, any good to work with?

[caelite]

Hey folks

So been seeking meaningful employment since January when my boss let me off (it was mutual, long story). Had my car written off a couple of weeks ago, because when it rains it pours. I have been toying with picking up a small van as a replacement and seeking a position with one of these self employed man with van companies, honestly just looking for advice as I have no idea where to start.

I previously was an assistant technician for a generator Co. duties mainly consisted of towing overweight 3.5ton trailers around laden with generators and/or diesel. Then offloading them with hiab or forklift at the other end. (also making tea, in fact I believe that may of been my primary role with this company). So I have a fair whack of experience driving larger B class vehicles, but if I am honest very little of multi-drop deliveries. Basically my questions would be:

1. How flexible are these 'self employed' companies, I am currently a student(engineering) so looking for 2.5-3 days or so work per week
2. How likely are they to get a meaningful discount on hire/reward van insurance, I'm 23 and currently have an unsettled claim so this is likely to be a rather significant cost
3. What kind of requirements are there for your van? I am looking at 5-6 year old <£3000 VW Caddy/Renault Kangoo/Transit Connect sized vans, the only requirements I can find from Yodel is that it must be <3.5ton
4. Is it possible to apply with these companies on the basis of buying a van IF I am given a position, would rather not buy one only to be left high and dry.

Thanks any advice welcome, really desperate to get back in to work that isn't with a bloody supermarket
CAE

[caelite]

Tried royal mail, got a knockback. I am out in the countryside in a reasonable sized town, so decent work is fairly scarce, I'm somewhat adverse to a 20+ mile commute each way for a minimum wage contract (there isn't really 'good' jobs for students, felt like I had won the lottery with my last one) if I where to drive into the city. Minimal pay is pretty much what I am expecting, provided its enough to get by on I'd prefer to do that than get minimal pay standing behind a counter at a bar/supermarket.

Edited by caelite on Tuesday 21st February 15:08

[caelite]

Cheers lads, did a bit of reading that has indicated similar issues to what you folks have mentioned, pay is buttons and you are most likely to make a loss if you are rural. (<50p/parcel)

Jeeze options are pretty bleak, last time I worked a pub they wanted to pay me considerably less than minimum wage because, I quote; 'the state isn't the one who gives you your wage packet'. Supermarket was more of the same, wage was PAYE so minimum wage was enforced, however the amount of unpaid overtime they expected was absurd. Despised working in both, I rather back breaking unskilled/semi-skilled labour than deal with the public any day of the week .

Seems like it is too much to ask nowadays to just have a job where you show up 16-26 hours a week, give them your undivided attention for the duration of the shift then leave on the clock without any ill will.

Might end up grabbing a van anyway, been making some cash in hand doing homers for friends/friends of friends. At least I could look vaguely professional showing up in a small van rather than a chavvy hatchback with a boot full of crap.

[caelite]

mike74 said:

So how do these businesses manage to keep operating when they offer such abysmal, if not illegal, pay and T&C's?

Do they just rely on a seemingly never ending supply of gullible and naive people who only ever do it for a few weeks before realising just how st the job is and jacking it in to be replaced by the next mug?

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/19/he...

They appear to not have been formally investigated yet. My bet is when the state comes sniffing they will find all the massive tax/employment law loopholes and do something to legislate against it. Same thing happened to a lot of the big zero hour contract companies that popped up around 2012-2014.

I was curious about them as they just seemed to be the only entity recruiting heavily in my area in a field that I found vaguely interesting. My bet is a lot of their staff are just desperate, job market really is a st show at the bottom rung of the ladder. I consider myself lucky enough to have a few months savings in the bank from working like an absolute dog for years, so hopefully something that actually pays will come up for me before I get to that point .

Edited by caelite on Wednesday 22 February 18:58

[caelite]

duckwhistle said:

Start a local dog walking service, sign write your Van, small add in the local paper. Wait for the phone to ring. Cash flow from day one. Be nice to old Ladies and small dogs. Money for old rope. Demand colossal.

Good idea actually.

I'm working in the local marina now as a temp restoring their moorings for the summer, cash in hand and enough to tide me over for now. Took my van money and bought an Mx5 .

Thanks again for the advice, would still love to break back into doing transportation but it'll be on someone else's coin.