As the gig economy expands, it is becoming more straightforward than ever to make money on your terms. Major companies throughout the United States are using the potential of independent contractors and allowing drivers to choose their work schedules. Indeed, via Amazon Flex, Amazon is transforming package delivery into a job that almost anybody can profit from.
On-demand businesses like Lyft and DoorDash are typical of the gig economy. Still, many more conventional corporations, such as Amazon, are taking notice of their success in improving the efficiency of their operations. For example, since 2015, Amazon Flex drivers have provided rapid delivery services while effectively operating as their employer.
If you love driving for package delivery services, you should look into Amazon Flex. Since it’s pretty new, competition is not that intense. Let’s get into the details!
What is Amazon Flex?
Amazon Flex is another delivery/courier service Amazon provides for third-party drivers. Their drivers are individuals who use their vehicles and cellphones to assist last-mile deliveries instead of their full-time and part-time delivery drivers, who usually wear uniforms and use branded cargo vans.
The service is pretty much accessible in almost all states in the US, allowing authorized drivers to take up as many open shifts (also referred to as delivery blocks) as they want. As a result, drivers play an essential part in assisting Amazon in meeting the increasing demand for same-day deliveries throughout the country during each shift.
What Is the Amazon Flex Program for Drivers?
Amazon Flex is a variation of Uber’s famous on-demand ridesharing concept. Instead of employing full-time workers, they rely on independent contractors to meet their ever-increasing delivery demands. Amazon’s primary objective has always been customer happiness, and Flex seeks to keep consumers happy by speeding the process of delivering their Amazon purchases.
So, how exactly does it work? Instead of circling strangers like Uber, you pick up Amazon items and deliver them to their recipients.
Drivers inform Amazon the days and hours they want to work, and Amazon gives them a shift (or, in Flex terminology, a “block”).
Drivers will have to pick up goods from designated local Amazon warehouse and then deliver them to their respective recipients. The number of available blocks determines the amount you earn to sign up for.
A driver may choose from a variety of delivery options. We’ll get to them shortly, but two of them are standard Amazon and Prime Now deliveries.
Amazon Prime Now is a special service for active members that grants them the power to deliver in fast rates. Flex drivers may select between two kinds of Prime Now packages:
- Prime 1-Hour Delivery Customers must now pay a $7.99 delivery charge for this service.
- Prime 2-Hour Delivery Customers are automatically promoted to this delivery speed.
Once a driver has chosen a nearby warehouse, they are allocated deliveries. The procedure of changing the chosen warehouse may be time-consuming. Emailing Amazon support will be needed, and reports suggest that this procedure may take up to a month in certain instances. As a result, it is recommended to select one and stay with it.
Amazon Varieties of Delivery
While all Amazon Flex drivers are liable for deliveries, you are not required to make the same deliveries every day. Instead, you may choose delivery blocks that concentrate on completing any of the following Amazon orders via this delivery service.
Amazon.com
When your delivery block is devoted to Amazon.com orders, you are responsible for delivering regular Amazon packages to clients’ doors from a nearby delivery station. Before using the website for delivery blocks, keep in touch with an online representative. The platform will next direct you to your allocated packages.
Amazon may need you to pick up or drop off specific packages at Amazon Lockers (self-service kiosk) locations near you in some exceptional circumstances, which the platform will mention in your block information.
Amazon.com deliveries are often the longest, lasting three to six hours, and provide the most recent shifts available.
Prime Now
This service is the platform’s take on a grocery delivery offering that links prospects to fresh food of all the statewide Whole Foods Market branches. Amazon Flex delivery partners, unlike Instacart drivers, are not responsible for the shopping themselves.
If a shipment includes alcohol, the only extra step that Prime Now delivery blockages may need is verifying client IDs upon delivery. Prime Now stents usually last two to four hours. These kinds of blocks have delivery stations available till 10 p.m.
Amazon Fresh
This one is a more comprehensive grocery delivery service than Prime Now, although pick-ups and drop-offs operate nearly identically for drivers. You’ll pick up food and home necessities from a Prime Now or Amazon Fresh location and deliver them directly to consumers.
You may also anticipate available blocks to last two to four hours. The main difference between this and Prime Now is that Amazon Fresh purchases are often more significant, necessitating the use of a hand truck or dolly.
Orders from the Store
The last kind of delivery block you may claim is for store orders. You will pick up packages from local shops in your region before delivering them to clients for these deliveries.
These are readied in advance to save time and effort scouring through new stores. These delivery blocks typically last between two and four hours.
What Amazon Flex Does for Drivers
Each of the company’s delivery drivers relies on the Amazon Flex app to be successful. Drivers use this smartphone application to accept delivery blocks, see their allocated pick-up and drop-off zones, and scan items. This app will give you all the vital information and resources you need to begin and finish each shift and package delivery task.
Amazon Flex hours are usually available seven days a week, with the precise number of open delivery blocks varying according to current demand. Delivery drivers may browse available blocks at any time and accept just ones that fit their timetable. You will never be asked to work any shifts that you did not sign up for.
Amazon Flex can be a lucrative source of income that you can always customize according to your availability, minus all the strict regulations that you would get in a corporate job.
Not only that, Amazon Flex drivers may expect to be paid twice per week rather than once per week, as is the case with many independent contractor jobs.
What Do Amazon Flex Drivers Get Paid?
Amazon Flex’s compensation is usually between $18 and $25 per hour. However, delivery drivers are always paid for each block they complete rather than for each hour worked, so your actual earnings may vary depending on your area, amount of demand, and how long your deliveries take.
Amazon Flex drivers may be eligible for customer tips for Prime Now deliveries, enabling you to earn additional money on top of your basic salary. In these situations, you will get 100% of the tips you receive.
One of the most compelling reasons for driving for Amazon Flex is that you will never have to estimate your daily earnings. Instead, you will have all the information from the get-go on how much is the transaction and for how long that’s going to take. Petrol costs can be controlled by observing the distance you will take in the ride.
It is worth noting that all Amazon Flex drivers are independent contractors. Therefore the business does not pay any job-related costs.
Amazon Flex Driver Pre-requisites
To begin delivering for Amazon Flex, you do not need to be a professional driver, but you must satisfy some driving criteria before being authorized to drive. In addition, the Amazon Flex program needs its independent contractors to do the following:
- You must be at least 21 years old.
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- You must have a valid Social Security number.
- You must pass a background check, which may include a criminal background check and a driving record check.
- Have a working bank account (to receive payouts)
- It would help if you had a smartphone that is compatible with the Amazon Flex app.
The Amazon Flex app for iPhones, available on the App Store, is compatible with iOS 11 or later devices. The Android app is only compatible with Android 6.0 or later. Android users must have smartphones with a camera with flash, GPS, a SIM card, and 2 GB or greater RAM capacity to deliver goods effectively. It is also compatible with other integrations such as the Amazon Automation program.
Vehicle Specifications
Because Amazon Flex delivery drivers must utilize their cars, the business needs you to have a four-door vehicle that can safely hold the amount of Amazon items you’ll deliver. Midsize sedans are the most miniature cars suitable for the job, although more oversized vehicles such as SUVs, vans, and pick-up trucks are preferred. Drivers must cover all truck beds to keep packages as safe as possible.
Whatever kind of vehicle you use for Amazon Flex deliveries, it must be registered and insured in your name, but it does not need to pass a vehicle inspection. However, for compliance, Amazon Flex drivers in New York may be forced to have commercial insurance.
Flex Support from Amazon
Because Amazon supports Amazon Flex, drivers may anticipate a robust customer service system on which to depend if they need assistance. You may seek assistance in three ways:
- Phone assistance is available.
- Help button for email assistance
- Support over the phone
Amazon Flex drivers have the following assistance options:
- On-the-Spot Assistance: Drivers should utilize the dispatch number to contact support while working a Flex block, connecting to an Amazon Flex dispatcher. Late delivery or order problems should be considered concerns. 1-877-472-7562 is the phone number.
- Off-the-clock Assistance: Drivers who are unable to work should contact Amazon customer care for less urgent problems. Support can assist you with a general account issue, an Amazon app malfunction or bug, or anything else. 1-877-212-6150 is the phone number.
- Email Customer Service: If you have any questions before applying, throughout the application process, or after you’ve been accepted, please get in touch with Amazon via email to get prompt answers. Also, suppose you run into any problems during your delivery blocks that need assistance. In that case, we suggest giving as much information as possible in your email, including the delivery time and location. In addition, Amazon Flex drivers who need assistance with non-critical problems can seek assistance online. The staff responds quickly and thoroughly. Emailing amazonflex-support@amazon.com is the easiest method to contact the Amazon Flex support staff.
- Button for Assistance: The assistance button in the Amazon Flex app is one of the app’s newest features. Drivers may instantly connect to a support person by using the “Help” button. This one is the most straightforward way for drivers to receive assistance, mainly while they are on the road delivering goods. My particular favorite is this one.
Questions and Answers
Driving for this program is one of the most significant ways to work for yourself in the gig economy, particularly if you like being on the road. Complement what you’ve learned in our Amazon Flex tutorial by reading our responses to the following three frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use Amazon Flex to do restaurant deliveries?
While Amazon Flex drivers could previously deliver meals from local eateries to clients, this service is no longer accessible. This is because Amazon Restaurants, the e-commerce company’s equivalent of Uber Eats and Postmates, was discontinued in the summer of 2019.
2. Does Amazon Flex offer driving insurance?
Amazon Flex offers car insurance programs at no cost in the overwhelming majority of states. In addition, you receive liability coverage, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage with this insurance.
However, this insurance coverage only applies when you are actively delivering for Amazon during a scheduled delivery block. This implies you’ll still need your insurance for commuting and other non-Amazon-related driving requirements.
Due to municipal regulations, delivery drivers in New York are obliged to get their business insurance coverage.
3. Do Amazon Flex delivery jobs exist all year?
The Amazon Flex program accepts applications year-round in its areas, but you may be placed on a waitlist if your location does not have an urgent need for drivers. Go to this “Get started” page to find out where Amazon Flex is actively looking for new drivers.
The Christmas season is often the most excellent time to apply without being waitlisted since the business experiences an increase in demand around this time. Since Amazon Automation has become more prevalent, more and more orders are expected all year-round.
Wrapping Up
Amazon Flex is a one-of-a-kind chance for drivers to interact with a broad range of delivery requests, ensuring that your day-to-day work life is never the same. Whether you deliver parcels or groceries, your job as an Amazon Flex driver will always be critical in ensuring that consumers get the services they need.
If this Amazon Flex tutorial has persuaded you that the business is a good fit for your requirements, all you need now is a smartphone to take the next step. For a smoother transaction, check our Amazon Automation’s services now!