Before you get carried away with how to build the site, I think you need to think a bit about the economics of this business.
1. What would you charge someone for postage? It would have to be less than UPS etc., otherwise there's no point not using them.
2. What would a driver earn for carrying a package? Some amount of money not greater than the postage charge (otherwise you'll go broke).
3. For what amount of money would a driver think it is worthwhile to pick up this package, or several packages, and deliver them to where they need to go? Surely more than just a few dollars.
4. What are the extra costs of your business, such as insurance?
I don't know the answer to any of these questions, particularly postage (I don't live in the US, so I don't know what the cost of sending a parcel is there). But you might want to think about it.
Shipping can be quite expensive through the usual channels (UPS, USPS,FEDEX). If you have ever tried to ship a used textbook then you know what I am talking about. The application allows the carrier (ie person carrying the package) to specify a rate(per pound per mile). Obviously the intent is that such a service should be significantly cheaper than what the existing shipping companies charge otherwise no one should use it.
My point isn't that you can't undercut the shipping companies. It's that if you do so, no-one will offer to deliver things for you, because they won't earn very much.
I mean, they might. It depends on many factors. I just thought you should think about it from that end too.
Example: If you were driving from point a in city A to point b in city B, how much money would you want to first drive to point a' to pick up a parcel and to deliver it to point b' before you reach your destination. $5? $10? Just something to think about.
Comments
Before you get carried away with how to build the site, I think you need to think a bit about the economics of this business.
1. What would you charge someone for postage? It would have to be less than UPS etc., otherwise there's no point not using them.
2. What would a driver earn for carrying a package? Some amount of money not greater than the postage charge (otherwise you'll go broke).
3. For what amount of money would a driver think it is worthwhile to pick up this package, or several packages, and deliver them to where they need to go? Surely more than just a few dollars.
4. What are the extra costs of your business, such as insurance?
I don't know the answer to any of these questions, particularly postage (I don't live in the US, so I don't know what the cost of sending a parcel is there). But you might want to think about it.
Shipping can be quite expensive through the usual channels (UPS, USPS,FEDEX). If you have ever tried to ship a used textbook then you know what I am talking about. The application allows the carrier (ie person carrying the package) to specify a rate(per pound per mile). Obviously the intent is that such a service should be significantly cheaper than what the existing shipping companies charge otherwise no one should use it.
Perhaps. But shipping a used textbook via USPS Media Mail usually costs <$5. That's fairly inexpensive.
My point isn't that you can't undercut the shipping companies. It's that if you do so, no-one will offer to deliver things for you, because they won't earn very much.
I mean, they might. It depends on many factors. I just thought you should think about it from that end too.
Example: If you were driving from point a in city A to point b in city B, how much money would you want to first drive to point a' to pick up a parcel and to deliver it to point b' before you reach your destination. $5? $10? Just something to think about.