Running An Errands Service? Here Are Some Tips!

By Author: Manoj Upadhyay
Total Articles: 38
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The world is constantly evolving, and with all the hustle and bustle, we are witnessing a dazzling number of increased demands. With digitization at our side, people are engaged in several activities, so much so, that running errands seem to slip to the very back of the mind and your leisure time is the last thing you want to sacrifice.
 
When you’re sitting with your feet up, enjoying that cup of coffee and the peace and quiet around you – all you can wish for at that moment is someone who could run all your pending errands for you, isn’t it? Well, the increasing trend of errand running services and apps is your wish coming true!
 
It’s technology to the rescue yet again – whether you need to walk your dog, clean the house, mow the lawn, need to buy groceries, go to the bank, pick or drop the laundry – all of it can be done with a single click. Thanks to the pandemic and stay-at-home restrictions, errand services have witnessed a major boom around the world.
 
The idea and the concept of ...
... turning errands into a business came into existence, thanks to someone who figured out how to make money out of people’s laziness and help them chill out on the weekends. Now the gifts are being purchased, groceries are being delivered, and people’s needs are being taken care of by professional errand runners. 
 
Starting an errand running service is quite easy – anyone can do it and you don’t need a lot of supplies either. The best part is that you will make money while helping others, so it’s a win-win! However, there are a few tricks of the trade – some secrets, if you may – of running a successful errand running service that not many are aware of. But we’re here to divulge some of them. Take a look!
 

Group Orders

 
If you have several customers in the same area, consider grouping errands together to save time and be more efficient. For example, make Monday and Thursday grocery days and Wednesday the day you pick up prescriptions from the pharmacy.
 

Charge a Cancellation/Rush Fee

 
It’s customary for a customer to give a 24-hour notice before asking you to run an errand or if they need to cancel the errand. If they cancel within 24 hours, consider charging them a fee. When someone cancels last minute, it’s often too late for you to find another customer for that allotted time. That’s why this cancellation fee is appropriate. Also, if a customer asks you to do ‘rush service,’ a job that needs to be done within two to four hours, it’s also customary to add an additional charge to their fee. Be upfront with them about this or add this as a side note in your policy section.
 

Reminders for Payment

 
There are times when customers who lead busy lives forget to make payments. If you’re running errands for senior citizens, then it’s possible that they may forget to do it too – the age factor has its moments. However, that’s nothing to fret over – just provide a friendly reminder. If it’s a task you do for them often, your customer could pay up front or on a weekly or monthly basis, making it less likely they’ll forget. It’s important you keep very good records. This will help prevent mistakes when it comes to collecting payment.
 

Keep Payments and Orders Separate

 
If you’re going to the grocery store for more than one customer, remember to pay for the orders separately. Each customer will want their own receipt. They won’t want to see another customer’s items on their receipt. Similarly, be sure not to mix bags at the grocery store. Ask the bagger to keep certain items together and bring a felt tip pen to write on the bag the name of the customer that the bag is going to.
 

Repeat Newspaper Ads

 
If you choose to advertise in the newspaper, or local publications, run your ad every week for a while. After a few months people will recognize your ad and be more likely to call you when they need help. You can also distribute flyers promoting your services on a regular basis and also open an email list, which your customers can subscribe to.
 
Errand services are always a good idea as a business option. If you’re interested in opening your own errand business or have already decided to do it, keeping these few tips and tricks in mind will help start smoothly and also aid you in the long run.