As an Amazon Flex driver, you’ll encounter a wide variety of delivery locations, ranging from suburban homes to rural addresses and everything in between. While each type of delivery comes with its own set of challenges, some can be more difficult than others. In this post, we’ll cover the ins and outs of delivering to suburban houses and rural addresses, providing you with practical tips to make your job easier and more efficient.
Suburban House Deliveries:
Delivering to residential homes in suburban environments is often the easiest type of delivery you’ll encounter as an Amazon Flex driver. In fact, many drivers, myself included, would love to get an entire route delivering only to suburban houses. Most of these deliveries are straightforward: you simply drop off the packages at the front door, and you’re on your way.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Check for Special Instructions: Always read the customer’s notes. If there are special instructions or if you feel the front door might not be the best drop-off spot, you can hide the package behind a bush or even go around to the back of the house if necessary.
- Safety and Security: Always make sure the package is secure and not visible from the street to reduce the risk of theft. A little extra effort to place the package in a hidden spot can go a long way in customer satisfaction.
Rural Address Deliveries:
Delivering to rural addresses can still be relatively easy, but they do present some unique challenges. These include long or unpaved driveways and pets or other animals roaming free. Despite these challenges, I still find rural deliveries preferable to apartments or condo complexes due to the simplicity of delivering to single-family homes. Here’s how to handle rural deliveries:
- Dealing with Pets: Safety should always be your top priority. If you encounter a dog or another animal that makes you feel uncomfortable, you have a few options. You can try contacting the customer, or if there’s no response, choose a safe spot on the customer’s property to leave the package. Always take a photo for proof, even if you have to do it from inside your car. Remember, returning packages to the station should be your last resort.
- Why Returning Packages is a Last Resort: Bringing back undelivered packages adds unpaid time and miles to your day. Even though you’re paid the same amount for the block, your hourly earnings suffer when you spend extra time driving back to the station. Plus, the added stress of getting home later than planned can take a toll on your overall well-being. I’ve had days where returning packages added an extra hour or more to my day—time that wasn’t compensated and only increased my expenses for gas and vehicle wear.
- Handling Long or Unpaved Driveways: For long or unpaved driveways, drive down as far as you can safely. If there’s no clear path, contact the customer by phone or text. If they don’t respond, it’s up to you to make the best decision for the delivery. If the customer does respond and makes unreasonable requests, like asking you not to drive on their driveway, know that Amazon requires customers to allow you onto their property to make deliveries. You have the right to drop the packages at the entrance if needed. Take a photo for proof of delivery, and if the app’s GPS doesn’t recognize your location, switch to airplane mode briefly while keeping Bluetooth on to complete the delivery.
- Avoiding Long Conversations: Time is money. Avoid getting caught up in lengthy conversations with customers, whether by text or phone. A few quick exchanges should be enough to resolve most issues. Remember, you’re not getting paid extra to chat with customers, and every minute spent on the phone is a minute added to your day. If you have 40 more packages to deliver, those minutes can quickly add up.
Conclusion:
Delivering to suburban and rural addresses as an Amazon Flex driver can be straightforward if you follow these tips. The key is to be efficient and make smart decisions on the spot. Always prioritize safety, minimize your unpaid time, and keep your interactions with customers brief. By doing so, you’ll maximize your earnings and reduce the stress that comes with the job. Remember, working smarter, not harder, is the key to success in the gig economy.