RIDEGURU
People overlook what it takes to delivery all those packages from Amazon, and most aren't aware that it's Uber-esque in a way that the hire their drivers and equip them with smartphone apps. The concept is very similar to UberX or UberEats, where normal people can sign up to be a driver and follow instructions on the app.
Taylor Soper shares his experience:
I felt like Santa Claus earlier this month — the Amazon.com version, at least.
I’ve spent the past few weekends trying my hand as a driver for Amazon Flex, the company’s Uber-esque platform that lets everyday people like you and me deliver packages with our own cars.
The program, which debuted in 2015 and is now active in 50 cities, helps Amazon complete the “last mile” for customer orders — the final stretch of a delivery that is short in distance, yet often the most expensive part of the e-commerce supply chain. It’s becoming increasingly important as Amazon’s shipping costs could balloon to $7 billion this holiday quarter while the tech giant meets growing customer expectations — in particular from its Prime members, who pay $99 per year to receive free 2-day shipping on millions of items, among other benefits.
Amazon Flex covers not only Amazon.com orders, but also items from Prime Now, the company’s two-hour delivery service; AmazonFresh, its grocery delivery service; and Amazon Restaurants.
I felt like Santa Claus earlier this month — the Amazon.com version, at least.
I’ve spent the past few weekends trying my hand as a driver for Amazon Flex, the company’s Uber-esque platform that lets ev…
People overlook what it takes to delivery all those packages from Amazon, and most aren't aware that it's Uber-esque in a way that the hire their drivers and equip them with smartphone apps. The concept is very similar to UberX or UberEats, where normal people can sign up to be a driver and follow instructions on the app.
Taylor Soper shares his experience:
I felt like Santa Claus earlier this month — the Amazon.com version, at least.
I’ve spent the past few weekends trying my hand as a driver for Amazon Flex, the company’s Uber-esque platform that lets everyday people like you and me deliver packages with our own cars.
The program, which debuted in 2015 and is now active in 50 cities, helps Amazon complete the “last mile” for customer orders — the final stretch of a delivery that is short in distance, yet often the most expensive part of the e-commerce supply chain. It’s becoming increasingly important as Amazon’s shipping costs could balloon to $7 billion this holiday quarter while the tech giant meets growing customer expectations — in particular from its Prime members, who pay $99 per year to receive free 2-day shipping on millions of items, among other benefits.
Amazon Flex covers not only Amazon.com orders, but also items from Prime Now, the company’s two-hour delivery service; AmazonFresh, its grocery delivery service; and Amazon Restaurants.
I felt like Santa Claus earlier this month — the Amazon.com version, at least.
I’ve spent the past few weekends trying my hand as a driver for Amazon Flex, the company’s Uber-esque platform that lets everyday people like you and me deliver packages with our own cars.
The program, which debuted in 2015 and is now active in 50 cities, helps Amazon complete the “last mile” for customer orders — the final stretch of a delivery that is short in distance, yet often the most expensive part of the e-commerce supply chain. It’s becoming increasingly important as Amazon’s shipping costs could balloon to $7 billion this holiday quarter while the tech giant meets growing customer expectations — in particular from its Prime members, who pay $99 per year to receive free 2-day shipping on millions of items, among other benefits.
Amazon Flex covers not only Amazon.com orders, but also items from Prime Now, the company’s two-hour delivery service; AmazonFresh, its grocery delivery service; and Amazon Restaurants.
Comments
Just started signing up to try this. Have a few videos left to watch. Figured on weekdays when Uber is slow I would try this. I like that you can bring friend, family member, or dog with you. The dog we definately make someone think twice about stealing packages from your car. It would be great if some drivers who deliver for Amazon would share their experience.
Oooh, you have to report back once you get the hang of it. I would love to hear your experience. All the good bad and the ugly.
One question. Is there a deadline or some kind of delivery timeframe you have to stick to? I’m curious how dictated your day is when you have packages in your car.
What if I only have a four hour window? Will they work? What if I need to take an hour break but I still have a few packages left?
I will probably starting after Thanksgiving.
The busy period!! Good luck!
This reminds me of how my brother used to work at Best Buy temporarily during the holiday season, because they had to ramp up on their staff for the season. He loved it because he could get the employee discounts on anything. :)
I had no idea that normal people could deliver Amazon packages now. I have seen some sketchy cars going slowly on my cul-de-sac on my walks recently. I bet these were just Amazon deliverers now 😂
At first I felt resistance to this, but then I realized strangers driving packages is much less instructive than driving strangers driving strangers.
It’s not like you need a special license to be driving boxes around. Genius. I feel like Amazon got a fast one by Uber on this one.