has anyone gone about independently contracting themselves as a messenger?
 

im planning on making a card of some type and contacting companies downtown to let them know about what im trying to do if they dont already have a same day delivery service at a decent price. im just not exactly sure who to ask for (im pretty clueless when it comes to the corporate world). i also am not sure how to arrange this while keeping my current part time job, is it unreasonable to only offer a service 3 or 4 days out of the week?

and yeah, i know theres a ton of messenger related threads on here and im about to get a bunch of ****, but i havent seen much on this particular subject.

thanks if you have any advice.

If you don't have any experience being a bike courier, then you should probably work for a company first. Last I heard forum member pedex was still working as a messenger in Columbus, Ohio. He worked for other people for years before becoming independent though, and he's stated here a number of times that it is not an easy job. Good luck.

there's independent contractors in all major cities, they generally do work for multiple existing companies at a time from what i know...

if you're only available some days of the week don't expect to be called upon, people like consistent and reliable relationships with their contracts and if you can only move products monday-wednesday they will probably opt for another service.

Furthermore I doubt a company is going to work with 1 person as you have a limited work availability due to moving packages for multiple businesses.

The problem a company has with working with 1 courier is that if you are working for more than 1 buisness there will be blackout periods for the other where you can't offer services for them (while you are moving packages for other groups), whereas with a courier service, there are almost always multiple messengers on hand to move products about the city. One of the major selling points of cyclist couriers is that they can move time sensitive products fast, but that speed hinges upon always being available to move the product.

Give it a shot, I could be wrong, but I am skeptical if you are going to be successful.

I have been an independent messenger in Carlisle, PA for a few years now.

I ride around all the time, but have yet to earn my first fare. Business cards are a good idea, I might look into that.

Isnt it about time some dude who has been messenging "forever" and relies on the business to make a living comes in here and unloads with everything he's got? This has gone on pretty long without some crotchety ******* getting all in a tizzy.
As was mentioned earlier, it seems working for a contractor would be the way to go, as the benefits of cyclist messengers is the ability to make a delivery at all times.

dumb idea. i did it for two weeks years ago when i thought i could make more money than with a company. it's entirely stupid. not only do you have no cred with any company you want to work for, they don't give a **** about you to begin with and would rather go with a company more established.

granted, this wasn't as bike messenger. i was a truck courier for a few years with several different places.