We did it in all weather. When it snowed, I hauled mine on a sled each morning. When it rained, I got drenched. And every couple of weeks, I had to go out on a few afternoons to knock on doors to get people to pay me.
One customer had a vicious dog that had a code word to call off attacks. The customer told me the code word, but when the dog came after me one morning, I forgot it. I just learned to pedal faster. While having children as the link between the business and the customer seems unwieldy, it worked for decades. If someone’s paper was damaged, they didn’t have to phone a call center for help. They called the 12-year-old kid, who quickly solved the problem.
Sadly, even the era of adult agents is proving to be a challenge. Because of today’s job market, we’re having a harder time finding people to deliver the printed edition of The Plain Dealer. The bigger the distance between you and Cleveland, the higher the likelihood that we don’t have a delivery agent.
They did it without complaint, with pride and never asked for anything more because they realized that job set them up for their future endeavors…a lesson that should be taught to the young generation nowadays
I delivered papers!
I delivered papers, raked leaves, and shoveled snow for money when I was a kid in the 70s & 80s in South Euclid, it taught me work responsibilities and determination, best years
I had a Cleveland Press route. I made a few good friends, earned some decent money for a kid, and learned responsibility...which was probably the most valuable thing I took away from that job...something I find lacking in too many people today.