From time to time I encounter individuals that ask about my route in general because it is something they have considered doing.
Question 1: How much do you make? I am still laughing. It is a business dependent on the front page headlines and photos. It is a business dependent on tragedy. It is a business dependent on the honesty of the general public... My answer--they have a really, really weird formula. Think of it as a commission sales job with a lot of physical activity. I always make something, at least enough to cover my expenses and have some left over. Sometimes I make more, sometimes I make less.
Question 2: Do they pay for your gas? I am still laughing. Let me refer you to my District Manager for that one. (Ok. NO, "they" don't pay for anything). I am an Independent Contractor, not an employee. I actually pay THEM a machine rental fee.
I have now worked this route since December of 2010. There are many enjoyable aspects of working this route. As route is rooted in routine--I would say the employees I see on this shift are one of the most enjoyable aspects, including the State, County, and town peace keepers. They are all friendly, up beat, generally hard workers, and, conscientious.
Sometimes I am fortunate to acquire a project that provides a higher level of income. An advantage of this USA Today contract is that I can work things out with my husband or someone else to pitch in for me. Ultimately, I am responsible. Usually, my husband is able to split the route with me.
I should try to find someone not in the family to train for this route in case my husband and I need to take off together. The only thing is, it's hard to find someone who will want to train, then not be put to work soon, or very often. Plus, on a daily basis, it is just not profitable enough to interest someone outside the family, especially with the price of gas. However, on the plus side, it is the mileage credit that keeps us from having to pay income tax.
I guess you could say it is a decent write off as gross profit is reasonable, but net profit always looks like a loss, or barely in the black.
I do not like the gas expense. The route is 65 miles long, and because of the stop and go--I only net about 23 mpg in my Honda Civic. I guess it could be worse. I definitely keep an eye on gas prices. Right now, Bay St. Louis-Waveland has the best prices on my route, which includes: SW Gulfport, Long Beach, Pass Christian and Diamondhead.
The most irritating inconsiderate thing people do to newspaper vending machines, other than steal, are:
- Taking the Display copy while there are still other copies to be purchased. Maybe if you have never operated any type of vending or display retail--you don't realize that if you take the display copy, other people will think we are out. Sometimes I have ended up with 5 to 10 left over papers because someone took the display before those are sold. Inconsiderate actions will not attract prosperity to you!
- Using the top of the machine for a table--I really wouldn't mind if people would not burn the top with cigarettes, or spill things on the machine leaving a sticky mess. Inconsiderate actions will not attract prosperity to you!
- Leaving an advertisement on my machine. Hey--I pay a machine rental. Why should you not only advertise for free, but sometimes even cover up my display copy. Inconsiderate actions will not attract prosperity to you!
- I mentioned before -stealing-. Some people will pay $1 open the machine and take more than 1 copy. Inconsiderate actions will not attract prosperity to you!
Well, thanks for listening to my rant. Now I will return to a spirit of gratefulness.
*I will soon be starting a new project. My husband will be working the route with me. This project will last through mid-June.
