Amazon Flex – Sidehusl.com

Basics:

Amazon Flex enlists freelance drivers to deliver packages and groceries

Expected pay: $15 – $25

Husl$core: $$$$

Commissions & fees: NA

Where: Most major cities

Requirements: 21 or older; driver’s license; insurance; mid-size or larger car; background check; smart phone

Amazon Flex Review:

Amazon Flex offers one of the few delivery jobs that can allow you to earn more than minimum wage from pay alone. The online retailer says drivers normally earn between $18 and $25 per hour. However, some of that comes from tips. Amazon “contributes” between $15 and $19 to driver pay for each hour the driver works.

Delivery blocks

Unlike other apps that simply pay drivers a fee for each delivery, Amazon Flex drivers are presented with time “blocks” that they can accept or ignore. For instance, the company may offer a 2-hour block, paying $36 to $50. The minimum you can earn if you take this block is $36. However, if you receive tips, you’ll earn more. Drivers get 100% of their tips.

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The average length of the delivery block is likely to depend on the type of deliveries you want to do and the kind of vehicle you drive. There are three types of deliveries offered through Amazon Flex.

Store orders, which are picked up from local merchants and delivered to the consumer. These are usually scheduled in 2- to 4-hour delivery blocks.

PrimeNow and Amazon Fresh orders are picked up from an Amazon delivery station and delivered to customers. Delivery blocks here are also typically 2 to 4 hours.

Amazon.com orders, which are picked up from Amazon delivery stations, are typically scheduled in 3- to 6-hour blocks. You’ll generally need a larger car or truck to take these long blocks because, predictably, they involve delivering more packages.

The catch

Each block contains a set number of deliveries that Amazon believes can be completed within the time frame. But if your block takes more time, the company doesn’t pay you more. If you can’t deliver some of the packages in your block, you have to bring them back to the warehouse, which could be out of your way and doesn’t count as part of the time for which you are paid.

The good news

On the bright side, deliveries are usually limited to a tight geographic market. So you’re not wasting a vast amount of time getting from one delivery to the next. And if a delivery block takes you less time, you’re not paid any less, either.

Each block of work is listed with the pay range before you accept it, so you know what you’re getting before you start. The site pays twice weekly by direct deposit.

And, the more than 2,700 driver reviews posted on Indeed are largely positive, indicating that drivers are mostly satisfied with the pay, distances they need to drive and the system of picking up shifts.

Insurance

Another nice feature of working for Flex is that the site provides commercial liability coverage while you’re on the Amazon clock. You have to maintain your own auto insurance as well. However, as long as you have a conforming policy, the Amazon policy will provide back-up coverage for liability, uninsured (or under-insured) motorists; and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage.

Recommendations

Although Amazon Flex operates in most major cities, the site isn’t in need of drivers in every community. Amazon updates its recruiting ranges regularly. So, if you’d like to drive for Flex, check with the site here.

It’s unlikely that Amazon will be able to fill your dance card alone, however. So, it’s smart to sign up with other driving and delivery services too. Some good options: If you have a truck and are strong enough to lift 50-75 lbs, consider Truxx and GoShare, which both pay generously.

Some of the food delivery apps, such as DoorDash and GrubHub, are also worth considering. Delivery fees are nothing to brag about with these apps, but the tips are usually generous. (The sites suggest that customers tip like you would a waiter, so 15-25% tips are suggested.) You can sign up with DoorDash here.

Want to drive for Amazon Flex?

Here’s a direct link where you can sign up

What their drivers say (from Indeed):

The app makes 3 – 4 hour delivery blocks available. If there are any delivery blocks available, you pick up the packages a local warehouse, where a warehouse worker places 3 – 4 hours worth of packages in front of you. You scan them and put them in your vehicle. The app will open a gps to your first delivery location. Most of the deliveries will be in the same area. They pay direct deposit in 2-3 business days.”

Drive to the amazon warehouse pick up packages. And drive around to deliver every package to their assigned location. Thats pretty much it. Its great that u get paid the 4 or 3 hours even though u took 2 hours to complete your route.

Been doing it for a while. Very flexible. The pay fluctuates from 18-30 something an hour. You almost always get done an hour early. Depend on which warehouse you visit you may or may not get lucky. Driver support could be A LOT better. Not good as a full time option.

It’s a great fall back job when you’re in between positions because you can never really get fired unless you’re stealing or cancelling too many blocks at the last minute.

Apartments…ugh.

“A while back someone posted “why do you hate apartments so much?”… today was the answer to that question. I had 11 packages in one complex. The buildings are not well labeled so good luck finding the apartments. I got 7 delivered up and down 3 flights of stairs and took the rest to the leasing office where a worker berated me about being a “liar” for not attempting delivery first.

Not a bad side hustle, if you need extra cash it’s definitely worth it, I just recommend staying away from the long shifts if you aren’t trying to be sent out of county

Warehouse employees are rude, warehouse supervisors are rude, you have no say in your route — the warehouse is inflexible about routes, routes are “assigned” to the driver upon arrival to the warehouse, many routes are much over 30 minutes from the warehouse, lots of gas used, a ton of mileage on your car, a lot of wear and tear on your car.

1/9/2023