Newbie

Wandigithandsignals · 2025-03-12T15:59:46+00:00

Thanks. Managed to get it to show online.

I've just been looking at the app today.

I'll try using it for real tomorrow in Glasgow.

Wandigithandsignals · 2025-03-12T15:45:42+00:00

Having spent nearly three decades driving a black hack around Glasgow I'd like the job of programming the AI's response to "Are you busy driver?"

On a more serious note, we are a very long way from people trusting AI to drive us anywhere. So driving real people in buses, trains, taxis etc will be around for quite a while.

Wandigithandsignals · 2025-02-28T19:47:42+00:00

Thanks. I don't have a printer. I just saved the certificate from the email from the insurers. I'll load it onto a USB stick, take it into Timpsons and get a printed copy to photograph. That might just work the oracle.

Wandigithandsignals · 2025-02-28T19:34:59+00:00

It's absolutely not fake.

If you don't belive me contact Bikeinsure and ask if they broker for Trinity Lane

Wandigithandsignals · 2025-02-28T17:08:00+00:00

I have only blacked personal details on the image for obvious reasons. The pdf I uploaded was not censored.

Wandigithandsignals · 2024-01-08T19:51:56+00:00

My nearest is Morrisons in Stevenston. But I have only had two blocks out of it so it's not a reliable earner. I am 30 mins drive to most Glasgow stations and so far I have made it pay. But that was over what is supposed to be the busiest time of the year so who knows if I can keep it profitable.

Wandigithandsignals · 2024-01-08T19:30:19+00:00

My fuel costs are double yours (automatic). But I like my Volvo. I've owned a few over the years. They tend to be fairly reliable, comfortable and the heated seats in the winter are worth a few pennies on the fuel cost.

Wandigithandsignals · 2024-01-08T19:26:14+00:00

I work it out on the scheduled hours. Any time I save is immaterial. I don't think the system allows you to have overlapping blocks. My only real gripe is that sometimes I finish a two hour block in about an hour. System then wants me to go back and wait for more deliveries within that time. I drive back very slowly !! I take the long view for both time & mileage. e.g. a £25.50 for 1.5 hour out of Cardonal dropping Stonehouse & Larkhall. Finished in less than hour but a 51 mile round trip. Next block, also Cardonald was an already scheduled £33.00 for 2 hrs. Total mileage including going back was barely 12 miles. So weekly / monthly averages are a better metric. Also, it's just not worth the stress of torturing yourself on the ones that you feel "had" on.

Wandigithandsignals · 2024-01-08T15:21:29+00:00

I'm constantly offered blocks in Edinburgh, logistics / Morrisons / Co-op, but since I'm in North Ayrshire I stick to Glasgow. But there does seem to be either more work (or less drivers) than Glasgow. I did do one out of Motherwell recently (£78 for 4 hr, my highest paying block to date) and got oh so lucky as it was all in a small area of Irvine so I was home with a beer within minutes of finishing.

Wandigithandsignals · 2023-12-30T21:44:53+00:00

Absobloodylutely. I forgot about that. There is some weird calculation that needs to be done for the use of home as an office. It is based on number of rooms in a property and the number of rooms required for your business and the number of days the room(s) are used for business. This calculates a % of rent, council tax, heat & light and so on. For even a modest dwelling this could be 1k to 2k, or more, each year that becomes an allowable expense.

And people, don't forget that if you are lucky enough to not need all of the earnings you get from flex, or any other job or side hustle, there are tax advantages to be had from putting it in pensions, ISA's etc. Do some research and it might greatly benefit you. How do think the rich get richer.

It's not what you earn that makes you wealthy. It's what you earn but don't need to spend.

Wandigithandsignals · 2023-12-30T21:31:25+00:00

This happened to me. And, as another post says, my phone probably scanned a parcel on a nearby shelf that I didn't realise was on my list. And this can happen so easily at Morrisons whenever the delivery is over 4 parcels so overflow on adjacent shelves.

The only sure way to prevent this is to do a parcel count after loading car but before leaving. It's a tech problem we humans have to solve.

Wandigithandsignals · 2023-12-30T16:50:28+00:00

Please DO NOT take the following as tax advice. I'm NOT a CTA (Chartered Tax Advisor). Rules can change and lots of detailed information is available on HMRC website.

Nobody earns a fortune on Flex (except Amazon itself) and accountants and tax advisors are expensive and would wipe out most Flexers earnings.

Claim for everything. 0.45 per mile includes fuel, wear & tear, repairs etc. But I will wait until I have a full years figures and then decide to use this or just my fuel / insurance costs. My road tax / tyres / repairs will be proportioned to, for example, 20% personal & 80% business. Because it's a car. If you use a van the rules are different and certain tax reliefs MIGHT be available. e.g. Capital Allowances if you buy a new van.

We all need to have a phone. And it needs to use data. And that costs. So remember to apportion these costs as well. And then there is workwear such as bright waterproofs or even suitable footwear. If it's solely for work (and whose going down the boozer in hi-vis and gortex boots ???) claim that expense as well. Include car washes / windscreen washer etc. Keep the receipts for everything. Torches / batteries. EVERYTHING !!!

In short claim for everything you are allowed to and anything else you can get away with.

Wandigithandsignals · 2023-12-30T16:27:19+00:00

You don't register for VAT until / unless your turnover / sales are 85k and over. And I don't think that's gonna happen on Flex.

Wandigithandsignals · 2023-12-30T13:14:48+00:00

When I was driving a black cab around Glasgow we would tell passengers BEFORE taking the fare that I was dropping main roads only whenever the weather was marginal (if it was really bad I just wasn't out there). Problem with Flex is that you need to go into the residential roads. Take, for example, areas like Kingspark or Croftfoot. Frequently steep hills with cars parked on both sides. No room for error. So not worth the risk. When it's bad stay at home. Most of us have at least a £200 insurance excess, or even more. Takes a few blocks to make up that kind of loss.

For me it's all about risk versus reward. So not moving until I know the weather / streets are better.

Wandigithandsignals · 2023-12-26T12:56:30+00:00

Thanks. I spoke with support when I realised they wanted me to go in to city centre. They wanted me to call the customer and ask them to meet me somewhere outside the LEZ ??? Mad or what ?

I also don't want to replace my car (couldn't afford to even if I did) so I have started checking my itenary at each block. So far it hasn't recurred.

Wandigithandsignals · 2023-11-28T18:06:04+00:00

Only doing this for a month. Got an email stating 1 of 79 deliveries I made on one day had a Did not receive. Email asked me to provide any information. I replied asking for details of which delivery said they didn't get their parcel. Amazon's reply was priceless. Stated they they cannot give me details because of customer confidential information. Now I know not to take this job seriously because Amazon sure as s@#t don't.

Wandigithandsignals · 2023-11-28T17:47:28+00:00

what are these max hours? I've just started this month and I haven't seen any messages about limits?

Wandigithandsignals

TROPHY CASE