Jyden,
Thanks for all the suggestions. So far I'm loving the Yaris.
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Xist,
Delivering definitely increases wear and tear, but that's what mileage reimbursement is for. If you drive a fuel efficient vehicle that isn't brand new, mileage reimbursement will cover most of your vehicle expenses, not just gas. That is why I wanted a used Yaris. The less I spend per mile on vehicle expenses, the more money I make.
$12.50/hr. is probably close to average in most delivery areas. Making much more is very possible.
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JeffD,
Thanks for the compliment. I strive to learn and keep improving with anything I do. It's part of the fun. Stagnation is boring.
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Sheepdog,
An engine block heater may be a good idea in winter. I wonder if that in addition to a grill block would be likely to overheat things? Also, I'm located in Alabama, and it doesn't get really cold here too often.
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vskid3,
The drivers using gas guzzlers need bigger tips to make up for the gas expense! I understand your point, though. Based on my average numbers at my job, if I drove a vehicle that gets 15 mpg, my pay would be reduced by $2.50 per hour compared to using my Yaris. I'd still make decent money, but not as much as I make in my Yaris.
In my case, commercial coverage is about 37% higher than normal insurance, all other things being equal. For example, if you currently pay $75 per month for normal insurance, switching to commercial would probably bump it up to $100 per month.
Most drivers aren't even aware that it's insurance fraud to use your vehicle for commercial purposes with only normal insurance. If they get into a wreck, the insurance company is likely to not cover any damages and then drop them. Better to use a vehicle that is inexpensive to own and operate and have commercial insurance. With the right vehicle, mileage reimbursement can cover full expenses, even commercial insurance. Either way, I don't think it's worth the risk to deliver while having normal insurance. I've personally seen drivers get screwed because of this. If you choose to deliver, upgrade your insurance. If you are good at the job, the money will more than make up for it.
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