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Anyone here deliver newspapers?

Discussion in 'Anything goes' started by Bradley Guire, Feb 25, 2013.

  1. Bradley Guire

    Bradley Guire Well-Known Member

    I'm not good enough to get a real newspaper job, or any real job, so in a fit of desperation I took a newspaper route a few nights ago.

    I have no idea why people voluntarily do this. I'm estimating that I will put in 35 to 40 hours per week, because I wasn't skeptical enough when I was told it would take two hours per night. What a bullshit story, and I swallowed it hook, line, and sinker. At this rate, I'm earning $3.72 an hour. Gross. Then there's gas for the car, plus I have to buy rubber bands and poly bags.

    I do believe I'm dumping the route in less than a week.
     
  2. Bubbler

    Bubbler Well-Known Member

    You have to buy the rubber bands and bags?
     
  3. Baron Scicluna

    Baron Scicluna Well-Known Member

    Yeah, that's something the company should buy.

    Also Brad, is the 35-40 hour thing a matter of you not being familiar with the job after only a few days, or does it really look like you'd be putting in that much time. Because $3.72 an hour, and the wear and tear on your car, just isn't worth it.
     
  4. Versatile

    Versatile Active Member

    Why are you rubber-banding and bagging?
     
  5. Versatile

    Versatile Active Member

    I get my paper in a bag with no rubber band and no tube.
     
  6. deskslave

    deskslave Active Member

    At the rate my old papers went through carriers, it was never a surprise that they got as many missed delivery complaints as they did. It is dreadfully poorly paid work, and all on a contract basis. Given the state of most of our carriers and vehicles, I always wondered how many of them had licenses or insurance. I'm sure almost none of them had insurance covering the use of the car for work.
     
  7. People want a lot of things. Doesn't mean they should get it.
     
  8. Football_Bat

    Football_Bat Well-Known Member

    The only way you can make money throwing newspapers is on a rural route with a little bit of driving but a lot of customers. And driving a car that absolutely will not die. The good news is you can write those miles off your taxes.
     
  9. Football_Bat

    Football_Bat Well-Known Member

    In fairness, the papers these days are so small, the wind blows them every which way.
     
  10. Yeah, it's an incredibly shitty job.

    I did it as a kid, but that doesn't count.

    Get out. Get out and don't look back.
     
  11. BTExpress

    BTExpress Well-Known Member

    How about a bicycle? Faster than walking. No wear and tear on the car.
     
  12. Baron Scicluna

    Baron Scicluna Well-Known Member

    Depends on how long his route is. Some routes are 20+ miles.
     
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