Head-Fi.org › Forums › Misc.-Category Forums › Members' Lounge (General Discussion) › Business Idea ...... Rick's Transfer ..... Opinions Please .... Pro or Con ....
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Business Idea ...... Rick's Transfer ..... Opinions Please .... Pro or Con ....

post #1 of 11
6/19/10 at 1:26pm
Thread Starter 

I am thinking about buying a cargo van ( not a cube van ) and starting a delivery business. This would be locally based. I would take packages from a sender and deliver them DIRECTLY to a recipient. I would be the only employee. 99% of my customers would be business to business. Would I be regulated by any government agency? Besides the van and insurance, any idea of start up cost? To get started, I would be in & out of various business establishments handing out business cards and a flyer stating that I was insured and maybe bonded.

 

I would appreciate any thoughts on this. Do not be afraid to be critical. If there are any "skeletons in the closet", I need to know while this is in the "thinking about it stage".

 

Thank you for your thoughts / Rick

Reply
post #2 of 11
6/19/10 at 1:55pm

The first thing you should do is go contact a local lawyer, who will be able to inform you of every step you need to take, in terms of laws, filings, entrance barriers, etc. 

 

As far as startup costs, besides the printing of your cards, there will at least be fees for starting up an LLC (you werent serously going to put your own finances on the line, were you?)

Reply
post #3 of 11
6/19/10 at 6:31pm
Thread Starter 

LLC, how quick I forget about the small details. Thank you for that

Reply
post #4 of 11
6/21/10 at 2:04pm

I have a feeling you will be overwhelmed way before you can see any significant profits unless you specialize in moving some expensive items with great care and security in which case I doubt you would be able to handle it on your own.

Reply
post #5 of 11
6/21/10 at 2:09pm

Since you will not have employee's maybe a DBA will be an option?

Reply
post #6 of 11
6/22/10 at 10:42pm

You may need to be bonded if you are delivering anything of significant value.

Reply
post #7 of 11
6/24/10 at 9:27pm
Yes, go talk to a local attorney. You will want to incorporate, know your liability, as well as any state or local regulation you might have. Pay close attention to insurance and bonding, too.

And my best wishes to you getting a business off the ground!
Reply
post #8 of 11
6/24/10 at 10:19pm

I have started a transportation company from scratch. I would check with the DOT. See what permits and licenses you will need for your city and state. Check to see what bond amount you will need. Besides what everybody else said. Oh and a good fleet fuel card. It does make a difference you can save money this way.

Reply
post #9 of 11
6/25/10 at 4:21am

I think first and foremost you should spend a few days going around your town and checking other delivery services, do some market research. Try to understand what is lacking in terms of delivery services and if possible go with that!

 

About 5 years ago, most kindergardens, primary schools and extracurricular activities businesses had their own transportation for kids and some of them didn't provide private transportation for the kids. A friend of mine and his father saw a business oportunity and got a van, a licence and started doing it for a small school. They now have over 20 something vans, lots of contracts and are making good profit!

 

Just find out what's missing and you'll have half the work done!

Reply
post #10 of 11
6/25/10 at 6:07am

What MASantos said. Don't start a business because you want one but because you know your business is wanted by others.

Reply
post #11 of 11
6/25/10 at 7:27am
Thread Starter 

Glad I ask; lots of good ideas posted.... Thank You

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Misc.-Category Forums › Members' Lounge (General Discussion) › Business Idea ...... Rick's Transfer ..... Opinions Please .... Pro or Con ....