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Comment by markkanof | Hacker News Reader

So Fedex also supplies the local contractors with branded trucks and uniforms for the Fedex Home delivery? I have seen such people pull the not ringing the door bell stunt and had to go run out after them. If those aren't Fedex employees it seems like a sure fire way of ruining their reputation.

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So Fedex also supplies the local contractors with branded trucks and uniforms for the Fedex Home delivery

They do indeed: http://www.braunconsulting.com/bcg/newsletters/winter2004/wi...

(When I was a contractor for Bank of America, I got the same Bank of America business cards that everyone else did. Contracting does necessarily mean "setup this one webserver" or "deliver these 83 random boxes today"; it can also be a full-time thing.)

I assume they don't mind the reputation damage because the price is what matters in the "home delivery" business. They care that their $100 overnight letters get delivered on time; your 60 pound box of laundry detergent doesn't mean much to them.

Actually being that they are contractors, they supply that stuff themselves. My uncle had a few of those trucks that he owned and was paying drivers to operate for a while.

Yup, my dad did this for a while. Had to buy the truck. In a rural area this was a real losing proposition, the area he had to cover was so huge he was putting in 12hrs a day to get everything delivered. With all the wear and tear on the truck, causing it to need regular repairs it eventually became apparent that he was losing money delivering their packages.

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