Due to whatever reasons, the warehouse staff seems to think that we as delivery drivers can time travel. I say this because on more than one occasion I have left with my deliveries 25 minutes past the beginning of the block and noticed that my delivery slip estimates my total route time as 130 minutes. WTF?
First of all, it doesn’t take a math whiz to realize delivering packages within a two hour block should not exceed 120 minutes. That being said, the delivery slips do note that the estimate includes travel time back to the warehouse as well as 4 minutes of leeway to find parking, get the package from your car to the customer and then get back to your car ready to move on. For the most part 4 minutes is ok, but not always. What about walk up apartments? Security gates? Twenty fifth floor offices with lines at the reception? Don’t even get me going on the fact that these orders will most likely contain 6 cases of bottled water! And what about these routes when they get you out the door late? A 130 minute route in 95 minutes?
The best thing to do in these situations is cover your @ss!
After you scan in your deliveries, take a screen shot* that shows the current time and your current location as the warehouse. Next, take a photo of the delivery slip with the route and estimated time. You now have two key items for your defense that, if needed, can be sent to explain the reason any deliveries were late on your route. The Amazon Flex powers that be are completely understanding of these situations and will let you keep your excellent on time delivery percentage rating!
Lastly, I will note that depending on traffic, some of these overly ambitious routes can be completed on time without issues. I have personally completed an 11 stop 120 minute route in 90 minutes and was able to use the remaining minutes to link another block! I did however have the screenshot and photo in my back packet just in case…
*Update- It seems the new app update no longer allows screenshots. You will now have to take a photo of your screen with another phone if you have one.
I have experienced an overly ambitious route crazy I might say. I originally was showing up for A2 hour block short simple $36. When I got to the hub there was a long line of cars to check in. This was my second route and still unsure about the proper procedures I thought that I would wait till I got to the check in person 2 hit the I have arrived button so as I waited the app realize that I was late only because of the line. And then cancelled my route said do not go to the hub I called the helpline they told me to stay in line and explain what happened I did that. At the loading dock they substituted my route with another I had 23 packages I didn’t think much of it I had delivered 13 in 2 hours on the first route at this point I was 45 minutes behind I proceeded to deliver every package the route was just over 100 miles long included stretches of 20 miles in between deliveries and I don’t think the navigation operating properly this route took me 5 hours, I can handle that I assumed that I would be paid correctly but when I checked I was being paid the minimum for the original two-hour block $36 for this route I soon found out that Amazon Flex department has no phone and no people to talk to the Amazon customer service that I called about 4 times was clueless one operator didn’t even know what Amazon Flex is. It’s been a week now 5 phone calls 4 emails and no response. At this point I’m over it I figured that I have lost money on that route due to gas time and we’re on my vehicle. All I really what was some sort of explanation if they weren’t paying me or some advice on how to keep it from happening again. I really like driving for Amazon Flex and I’m hoping that something like this doesn’t happen again. I’m at a loss and don’t know where to go from here on this issue because I know that Amazon has covered there but in every way with the term and agreement the least thing that they could do to remove the no-show mark on my record.
Are you still getting shifts scheduled? If so, I would just let the no-show mark go. It is my understanding though that when booked for a 2 hour block, that is all you will get paid for unless you pick up the next one. When I have delivered late, I went about 45 mins over and didn’t get paid. I guess they figure it was our own fault we couldn’t deliver all the items in time. If the excuse is a good one they will normally forgive. But they definitely should be able to see that you got started 45 minutes late due to their own warehouse not getting you out on time. Hopefully you documented the times with a photo or something and sent it in with your emails. If the warehouse you work out of is normally that busy, just try to get there early enough to be one of the first going out. Hit that first push and there should be no more problems. Hope it all works out to your liking.
when you have a two hour route always let them know they should away give you enough packages to handle with in the time window, at least at DFW they are aware of this and ask how long is your block
You will notice a pattern. If you have more than 2 hours your first run will allow you to get back to the pickup no problem. But.. on your last run of your shift they cram the route on you so you are lucky if you can deliver the last package in the 2hr window. Happens every time. A lot of the time the last run will have the last delivery way out in the boonies somewhere costing you even more travel time. They know what they are doing. This is the reason that a 2hr block isnt worth picking up. I have had a 2 hour block take 3.5 hours to get there.. pick it up.. deliver.. and drive home. Its just not worth it.
What’s happens if you refuse a route being to long or not worth your gas to deliver a 1 bag one hour delivery 25 miles south of the hub and you live 9 miles north of the hub..and politelty them however you would be more than glad to take another route.. Do they frown on that?
It would definitely be frowned upon. Not only by the warehouse workers but by other drivers as well. There will be routes that are less than ideal, but when it’s your turn, it’s your turn. It will all even out in the end. Take the good with the bad. Good luck.
You are so right, sounds ideal and logical to take the good with the bad, but at the end of the day it’s all good. Very thankful for the opportunity to be a flex driver. Blessings to you…