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Amazon Flex Driver Complaints – A Few Things To Be Aware Of

In this short post I’ll be going over some of the most common Amazon Flex driver complaints. Whats the point of this? Well I think it is very important for people that are looking into this job opportunity it know what current drivers complain about. Its best to know the positive and negative aspects of a job before getting involved.

As with similar services like DoorDash, GrubHub, and even rideshare services like Uber & Lyft… there are a fair number of complaints. The Amazon Flex job can be a great job but this opinion ultimately depends on what you are looking for. But anyway… let me get to the complaints

Common Complaints That Drivers Have

These complaints that I consider to be the most common there are come from research I have done as well as talking to other Flex drivers.

#1 – Hard to Get Blocks

This is by far the number one complaint out there. It is just too difficult for drivers to pick up blocks. And if you don’t know what a block is, it is just another name for a shift.

As a driver you don’t have a set work schedule. You will be able to set your availability in the app for when you can work but this does not guarantee they will assign you any blocks. The driver market is very saturated and this is just another case of too many workers and not enough work.

It is possible to pick up blocks in the app but this is also a challenge due to the many other drivers that are trying to pick up blocks as well.

There are so many complaints out there of drivers signing up and not getting any work, or maybe getting one 2hr block per week or something like that. Some drivers make out well but this seems to really depend on the location.

There is an article here I wrote on how to get more blocks.

#2 – Car Expenses

Another common complaint is the expenses that come with the job. As a Flex driver you are an independent contractor and will have to pay for all the vehicle up-keep. Unfortunately you don’t get to ride around in one of those nice delivery vehicles like the post office workers do.

The expenses here can be pricey depending on what you drive and could be a major factor in determining if this job is even worth it for you.

Paying for gas is more than likely going to be your main expense as long as you don’t have any serious problems with your car. And of course there are the brakes, rotors, tires, etc. that will need replaced with the wear and tear that your car will be subjected to.

Luckily as an Amazon Flex driver you will receive tips which in some cases could cover these unwanted expenses. Some people make as much as $7 in tips per hour. I wouldn’t expect to get that much though. This is very dependent on your location.

#3 – Unreliable Income

The fact that working for Amazon Flex is not a very reliable job ties into the #1 complaint that I went over above, which is that it is too difficult to get blocks. Because of this the job is very unreliable. You cannot count on it to get a certain amount of hours per week or to make a certain amount. If you do then you will probably be disappointed.

There are some drivers out there that do somehow get steady hours each week but there are plenty more complaints that I find and have heard from drivers having the opposite experience.

The Amazon Flex driver job is best looked at and treated as a way to earn supplemental income. Which is the same with Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, etc. These jobs are not good for someone looking for a stead income and definitely not for someone looking for a full-time job.

Final Thoughts

One thing that is very important to know is that not every driver has these complaints. Although these are the most common and they are some that you should definitely be aware of, some drivers think differently. For example the number 1 complaint is about how difficult it is to pick up blocks yet somehow there are drivers that don’t really seem to have a problem with this.

I would say however that there are a lot more people complaining about these things than disagreeing with them. Whether or not these are complaints that you will have depends on what you are looking for with this job. If you are expecting too much then you will be disappointed.

Questions, comments, concerns? Leave them below and I’ll get back to you 🙂

Uber Driver Helpline – The Best Ways To Get Help

If you are looking for help as an Uber driver and need to get in contact with Uber right away I’ll go over the options that you have. The Uber driver helpline services that you have available to you are getting better as time goes on. In 2017 Uber made some good changes with how they go about giving drivers support.

Support from Uber has been a major sore spot over the years. Drivers would have account problems, billing problems, problems with bad ratings, and all sorts of others that would take way to much time to be resolved. But fortunately it seems that Uber is taking steps in the right direction. There are still some things they could be doing better but all in all the current available support is pretty good.

Need Help As An Uber Driver? Here Are Your Options

The first option that you should be aware of is that Uber does have an emergency phone number that you can use to get in contact with a real person. This is for emergencies only and if you call with an account problem, billing problem, or something that isn’t really an emergency you will not get help. The number for this is 800-353-8237.

There are several other non-emergency options that you have for Uber support. They are as follows…

#1 – In-App Phone Support

By far the best way for you to get help from Uber at times of need is through the in-app phone support they offer. This feature can be found by going into the app, clicking on “account”, clicking on “help”, and then clicking on the phone icon that you will see in the upper right of the screen.

This is a great feature that they started rolling out in 2017 and is available to drivers on the app in most cities. With this support you can get connected with a real person in a matter of minutes (they claim 2 minutes).

#2 – In-App “Help” Button

This is going to be the next fastest way for you to get support with an issue or problem. To get help this way all you have to do is click the “Help” Button inside the app. After clicking this you will see a menu of categories that you will have to choose from based on which your issue is most related to. These include things like Account Issues, Payment Issues, etc.

After clicking on one of the main categories you will be directed to subcategories which you can then click on and submit a short description of your problem or question. You can then easily track your submitted question and wait for Uber to respond.

The problem with this support system is that it is very hard to navigate. There is no search bar where you can easily look up answers to problems. Instead you have to search through the categories.

#3 – help.uber.com

help.uber.com is the support portal that Uber has on their website. This is accessible with a PC and is pretty much the same thing as the in-app support that I just went over. It has much of the same answers to questions and is set up in a similar way….. You can browse through different categories and submit a question to certain ones.

The big difference is not only that it is accessible on your computer, but also that there is a search bar where you don’t have to waste a bunch of time browsing through different categories.

#4 – In-Person Support at Greenlight Hubs

If you live in a decent sized city then chances are you have an Uber office in your area, aka a Greenlight Hub. If you live close to one of these you might just want to go in and chat with an Uber rep from the start, but if you live far away you might want to exhaust the options above first.

At these offices you will be able to get “real” support and get your issues fixed much easier.

What Support Channel Should You Use?

Well obviously if you just were involved in an accident you should call the emergency number that they provide…. after calling 911 first of course. But if it is a non-emergency related matter then I would say that they all have their benefits. The in-app phone support is the best for getting quick answers, the in-person support at Greenlight Hubs is great if you have a complicated question because it is easier explaining it to someone right to their face… and they all have their upsides.

It really just depends on your situation.

Questions, comments, concerns??? Leave them below in the comment section and I’ll get back to you soon 🙂

Top 5 Uber Driver Complaints – What Everyone Should Know Beforehand

Being an Uber driver probably isn’t as great as you may have heard. Being able to drive around in your own car and make money without a boss breathing down your neck comes at a cost. If you are considering becoming a driver then I suggest you you read this first.

In this post I have compiled what I consider to be the top 5 Uber driver complaints. I have come up with these from reading many reviews, going through forums online, and talking with drivers. Everyone that is considering becoming a driver for Uber needs to know these…

#1 – Competition

Making good money as an Uber driver is not a simple task by any means. Why? Well mainly because of the competition that drivers have from other drivers on the road. Uber’s marketing tactics for new drivers bring in more than they need. In bigger cities it is not uncommon to have several Uber drivers on the same street within a mile of each other.

The insane amount of competition that there is for Uber drivers often turns them to other similar jobs such as Lyft rideshare service, which is much less popular.

#2 – Not Enough Hours (realistically)

I have found that most Uber drivers that make decent money per hour only work small amounts of time. They don’t do this a as a full-time job. The reason for this is there just aren’t enough “good” hours that you can work. You have to find the good times to work and work them. If you try to work an 8 hour day you are going to be working hours that aren’t so good where you will be sitting around just trying to get a ride.

This forces drivers that are desperate for money to work strange hours. The goal is to work at a time where there is the most demand for Ubers with the least amount of competition. As you can imagine there are weird hours that no one else wants to work. But these will also make you your best money.

#3 – No Tipping

Uber makes it very clear that they are a no-tipping service and that riders do not need to tip the drivers. This angers many drivers because tips can make all the difference. You could be making an extra $3-5/hr but Uber had to go and ruin that possibility.

Now you can accept tips in the form of cash. But what I mean by no tipping is that there is no way for riders to tip in the app, and Uber tells riders they don’t have to. So even though tips are possible they are very rare due to what Uber has done.

#4 – Low Pay

Going along with every complaint I just went over, low pay is definitely one of the top complaints there is… probably the most common one you will find. How much Uber drivers make and what Uber claims their drivers make seem to be two different stories.

Many drivers complain about the promotions you see for Uber drivers being very inaccurate and misleading when it comes to the amount of money you can make.

The bottom line here is that Uber is not a great choice if you want to work full time. It is best treated as a side-gig. If you word long hours, when you go to average out your pay all the slow yours will bring you down. But if work few hours and only work the hours that are worth your time, you can make a decent hourly wage.

Its all about picking and choosing to only work the good times. Many drivers get mislead and join in on this opportunity thinking that they can driver around all day and make plenty of money. Some people can do this but it depends on your location, Uber service you are driving for, etc.

#5 – Expenses

You can’t forget about the expenses that come with the job. This is a complaint I see time and time again. Many people start driving for Uber knowing about the expenses but don’t think they are a big deal at first… then they do the math and find that they are not making nearly as much as they thought they were.

As an independent contractor, which you are considered as an Uber partner, you are responsible for your own vehicle upkeep. Gas, break pads, tires, you name it… that is all your responsibility. These expenses can really add up fast and take a toll on your earnings.

The amount you will have in expenses depends on how good of a driver you are and how efficient your vehicle is, but this is always going to be a complaint no matter what.

There is a push for Uber to make driving partners employees rather than independent contractors, which would mean that Uber would take care of many of the expenses, but I don’t think this will ever happen.

You can click this link to learn more about the expenses of driving for Uber.

Is Driving For Uber Even Worth It?

This question depends on a lot of variables. I find that for many drivers it is worth it and for many others it is not. It all depends if you drive smart or not.

Don’t go out there and think you are going to be driving full-time. I definitely do not suggest that. Instead, start off slow. Get a feel for what hours have the most income potential, where the best places to drive are, etc…. then go from there. If the opportunity is there to pick up more hours then go for it… if not then stay where you are.

I only recommend Uber as a side-gig. And it can be a good little side-gig that you can work in your spare time if you make it that way. I think there is still good opportunity out there driving for Uber I just think that people are expecting too much.

And its understandable that people are when I see the misleading promotions out there that are to get Uber drivers to sign up.

Anyway… just take note of these complaints and make sure this opportunity is one that you actually want to pursue.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns leave them below and I’ll get back to you soon 🙂

Lyft vs Uber Driver Pay – Winner Takes All

Looking to get into ridesharing and make some money driving around but don’t know what service to choose? Lyft and Uber are going to be your two main choices but which one would be better? Which would you be able to make more money with?

In this short post I’ll be going over Lyft vs Uber driver pay so that you know what you are getting yourself into before you get started.

How They Calculate Pay

The first thing that I want to go over is how they actually pay you…. what is the equation for how much you will make per trip? To understand this I’m going to have to go over how they calculate the fares that riders will have to pay for rides.

Uber

Uber drivers get paid 75% of their riders’ fares, with Uber taking the other 25%.

How much are the fares? UberX is the most common rideshare service provided by Uber so this is what I’ll use as an example. As you can see below there are several components that make up the total fare price. There is the Base Fare, the Per Minute charge, Per Mile charge, Booking Fee, and then there is a minimum Base Fare that you will not get paid less then along with a cancellation fee.

The amount that these fees are will vary depending on where you live. The example above is for Pittsburgh, PA. Here the minimum fare price is $6.95. So even if you drive someone just 1 mile they will still have to pay that $6.95, which you will get 75% of ($5.21).

Lyft

Lyft takes the same commission out that Uber does at 25%. Meaning you are left with 75% of the fare again. However, Lyft also gives you the ability to earn more. If you make a certain number of rides in a weeks you will get a Power Driver Bonus, which will increase the amount you make per ride.

For Lyft the fare works a little bit different than Uber’s. Their regular old Lyft service is the most commonly used so I will use this as an example.

As you can see below the fare consists of a Pickup Charge, Per Mile Charge, Per Minute Charge, and I don’t know if you can see what the small print says, but a $2.20 Service Charge also applies. And then there is the $5.50 minimum fare price along with the $5 cancellation fee.

And once again, this example is for Pittsburgh, PA, but the rates will vary depending on location.

How Do The Fares Match Up?

For my example here of Lyft vs Uber fares in Pittsburgh, PA, they are very close.

Uber Base Fare = $1.30, Lyft Pickup Fee = $1.30
Uber Per Minute Charge = $0.15, Lyft Per Minute Charge = $0.15
Uber Per Mile Charge = $1.05, Lyft Per Mile Charge – $1.10
Lyft Additional Service Fee =$2.20

Ok, so the minimum fares for Uber and Lyft are as follows: Uber = $6.95, Lyft = $5.50. But because Lyft also charges a $2.20 service fee their minimum total price would actually be $7.20, which is more than Ubers and better for drivers. Other than that they are pretty much the same when looking at how much they charge, other than the 5 cent difference in the Per Mile Charge here in Pittsburgh.

The two things you should take away from all this that I just went over is that with Lyft you are guaranteed a higher minimum pay per ride due to the service fee that they charge riders, and that with Lyft you can make a higher percentage of pay per fare due to the Power Driver Bonuses that they offer.

Tips?

Tips can be a deal breaker, and unfortunately for Uber, Lyft runs away with the trophy on this one.

Uber makes it very clear to their customer base that they do not have to tip drivers. Additionally there is no way to tip in the app. Riders would have to tip out of pocket. These two factors lead to there being very few tips for Uber drivers in general.

Lyft on the other hand doesn’t go around telling everyone they don’t need to tip. And they do include a way for riders to tip in the app. This makes it very easy for riders to tip and because of this drivers get more tips with Lyft.

The amount you can make in tips varies a lot. From reading forums online I found that most drivers get tips around 50% of the time or so and its usually $1 – $5, with higher tips being for longer rides generally. This varies a lot like I said but is always a nice little pay boost.

What Drivers Are Saying

One site that I always use when looking into the earning potential of different jobs is Glassdoor. They are an independent review site where any worker can post reviews, salaries, etc. So in an industry like ridesharing where salaries are elusive and unknown, you can get a good idea of what you are looking to make from other salaries people have posted.

I took a screenshot of the salaries for both Uber and Lyft drivers that you can look at…

Uber Salaries…

Lyft Salaries…

As you can see, Uber drivers report making around $14 – $15/hr on average and Lyft drivers report around $16 – $17/hr.

One Thing That’s Important To Know

One thing that you might not think about or be told has to do with the demand for these services. The demand for Uber rides is much higher than that of Lyft. Uber was the first to market and their marketing seems to be working much better. Their user base is very large and Lyft’s cannot really compare at this point, although it is growing.

What this means is that there is less opportunity to drive for Lyft. There aren’t as many people looking for rides which means there aren’t as many people you can make money off of by giving a ride.

Along with this however there also aren’t as many Lyft drivers out there which you will have to compete with for rides. So just because there isn’t as high of a demand doesn’t necessarily mean there as good opportunity for you to make money.

Final Thoughts & Who Should You Drive For?

So who wins the battle of the pay? Well… with Lyft you can make more money per trip and then you can get tipped on top of that, not to mention they seem to treat their partners better than Uber.

However, the downside of course is that there isn’t quite the demand for Lyft as there is for Uber. So you might not be able to get as many rides with them. But of course this depends greatly on your location and the amount of drivers in that area that you are going to be competing with.

Overall I would recommend Lyft over Uber when it comes to the pay. They have a higher minimum fare rate, allow you to get tips through the app, and have higher salary reviews on Glassdoor and other sites I have looked at. They seem to be the better choice and the choice with happier drivers without a doubt.

Another thing you have to take into consideration here however are the expenses that come with the job. I wrote a post here on Uber driver expenses that you can read. The same apply to Lyft drivers.

Anyways, that’s it for my post. I hope you found this informative and helpful. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns leave them below and I’ll get back to you soon 🙂

How Much Do Uber Eats Drivers Make in Orlando? Realistically Of Course

If you are looking to drive for Uber Eats in the Orlando area, one of the first questions you need to know is what the earning potential is like…. how much do Uber Eats drivers make in Orlando?

There are a lot of inflated numbers thrown around out there and a lot of misinformation spread when it comes to how much drivers actually make. In this short post I intend to give you a more realistic expectation when it comes to the earning potential you as a delivery driver have.

What I Have Heard

There are some articles that I have read online that claim Uber Eats drivers in Orlando are bringing in around $10-12 per trip and making 2 trips/hour on average. That is a very inflated number and I don’t really see any proof of that actually happening “on average”.

I mean, I’m sure there are some drivers that are out there killing it, but for the large majority of drivers this is not a realistic expectation by any means.

Uber doesn’t release official earnings disclosures that you could gather information like this from so I don’t know how some people are coming up with these numbers.

What You Can Really Expect To Make

Ok, so from talking to other drivers in the Orlando area and by doing a bunch of research online I was able to get a good understanding for what you can generally expect to make.

Most drivers work 3 – 4 hours a day. This adds up to 21 to 28 hours per week. The reason they only work a small amount of hours is because there isn’t much opportunity to work more than that. You can’t expect to be working a full-time job here.

In these 3 – 4 hour shifts most bring in anywhere from $25 – $40 after fees off of doing 4 – 6 trips or so. And then of course they make tips too, but not much. You expect anywhere from $0 – $15 or so in tips from a 3 – 4 hour shift generally.

So ya, you get the point here… most Uber Eats drivers in Orlando are making right around minimum wage after taking out the Uber fees.

Is Uber Eats Even Worth It?

So is Uber Eats worth it? Is it even worth the time spent? That really depends on how much you are looking to make at the end of the day.

Another important aspect of the job that you should consider is that you will have to pay for your car expenses. As an Uber Eats driver you are considered an independent contractor. And this means that you are responsible for paying all the driving costs… gas, oil changes, etc.

This is a big pain. The fact that you have to pay the expenses coupled with the fact that many Uber Eats customers don’t tip (Uber makes it well known that you don’t have to tip) make this job a whole lot worse.

But anyways… do I think its worth it? I’ll just say that “it can be”. I don’t want to pump you up thinking that this is going to be the greatest job in the world because the truth is that the turnover rate is fairly high because people end up quitting. But then again there are people that I know that make some decent money working a few hours here and there.

So it really just depends on a lot of variables and there is no good answer I can give you.

Comments, questions, concerns??? Leave them below in the comment section and I’ll get back to you soon 🙂

If you are interested in this job then you can read my post on how to drive for Uber Eats. It will go over the steps you need to take to get started.

Is Getting an Uber Bike Delivery Job Worth It? What To Consider

One of the great things about Uber (that is relatively new) is that you can deliver on bike. A lot of people really like this option and I am also a fan. However, this does have some downsides to it. The big question here is whether or not Uber bike delivery is worth your time.

In this short post I’m going to be covering what it is like working for Uber as a bike courier. I’ll go over the upsides and downsides and give my personal opinion on whether or not I think it is a job worth considering. If you are interested in delivering via bicycle then you are going to want to read this first.

The 2 Different Bike Delivery Jobs

As an Uber bike courier you could be getting delivery requests of 2 different kinds. You could get requests for UberEats and you will also get requests for UberRush. However, in some cities these two Uber services are not intertwined and you will only deliver for one or the other.

The difference between the 2 Uber services that you might find yourself delivering for is as follows…

UberEats

This is Uber’s food delivery service. You will be picking up food from restaurants and delivering it via your bike. Customers will pay restaurants for the food directly through the UberEats app and then local orders will be available for you to accept delivery for.

UberRush

If you deliver for this service you could be delivering a range of different things. You could find yourself delivering papers and documents from one business to another or it could be a package or strange items that you don’t know what they are. This service is mainly used by businesses that need a cheap way to get things from one place to another in a short time frame. Unlike UberEats, customers aren’t buying anything through the app (like food), they are just paying for the delivery service.

What A Day On The Job Is Like

If you are familiar with Uber Eats and/or Uber Rush and have been a delivery driver for them before then you already know what its like. Its the same darn thing just you are on a bike basically.

Just as the Uber rideshare, you will use the app to accept requests. When a delivery request comes up in your area you can choose to accept it if you wish. Generally, because you are riding a bike, you will receive requests that aren’t too far away. But you can still end up peddling a good deal while in transport.

After accepting a delivery you will peddle to the specified location and pick up the delivery. You will need the order number for UberEats in order to pick it up. After that you are off. Now its time to deliver that son of a gun and get paid.

If you are delivering for UberEats you will know where you need to pickup the order and deliver the order from the get-go. But if you are delivering for UberRush you sometimes will not be provided with a delivery address until you have already picked up the order. This can be very annoying and sometimes really sucks. If you find that the delivery location is somewhere that you don’t want to ride to for some reason you can cancel the delivery but you will be penalized for this and will be less likely to receive future requests.

Upsides to Being a “Delivery Rider”

Low Expenses

This is probably the biggest upside that I can think of. You don’t have to worry about paying for gas, new brakes, inspections, etc. These expenses can really add up and are a major downside to driving for Uber because you have to cover them.

With a biker there are very low expenses. But you might need to start taking more fish oil supplements for those aching joints (lol).

Pretty Good Pay

You can expect to make anywhere from $18 to $25 per hour generally when you are busy. I think that is a pretty good wage considering you don’t really have any expenses as I just mentioned.

But then again you might not make much at all. It depends on when and where you are delivering. There are a lot of people that complain about not getting nearly enough delivery offers and barely making anything and then there are people that make really good money doing this.

Don’t Have To Worry About Parking

Parking is a major pain in most big cities and can be a big frustration and waste of time. Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about this when you are riding a bike. If you are waiting on a restaurant to prepare food for your delivery you can wait just about anywhere you want.

Delivering via bike totally eliminates the parking problem.

Great Exercise!

You can’t overlook this. If you are a fan of some good cardio and want to get paid to do it then this is a great job. You can work on your own schedule (to some extent) and you can get your workout in at the same time… whats not to love.

Lower Age Requirement

If you are too young to drive for Uber rideshare then you might still be eligible to deliver as a bike courier. You only have to be 19 years old for this job, whereas you have to be 21 if you want to be a rideshare partner.

A More Observable Ride

As a bike courier you get to take in more of your routes. What I mean here is that you see more, you hear more, you smell more, and overall you just learn a lot more. When you are in a car you drive by things without paying any attention. But when you are on a bike you get to be more observant and really get to know what people are like and how things are.

This might not be a big upside for many people but I know some will appreciate this as I do.

The Downsides

Only Paid for Delivery

You will only get paid for your time spend actually delivering the goods. You won’t get paid for the time spent going to the pickup spot or the time spent waiting.

Too Much Exercise

This is really an opinion. Some people will complain about getting too tired and things like that while others enjoy the exercise.

Rides Can Be Long

Its nothing too far out of the ordinary to have to bike more than 5 miles or so on a delivery. This can be a pain but if you are up to the challenge you can make some decent money.

Is It Worth Your Time?

Overall I would say that YES it is worth the time… but only for SOME people. The only people that I would recommend this job for are those that like riding bikes of course.

If you like to ride bikes then you probably enjoy the exercise and will enjoy the job overall. But if you don’t like riding bikes and don’t like to exercise then this is just going to be out of your realm.

Some people, me being one, really like what comes with this job. You get to make money, while exercising, and you get to explore and observe different areas of your location.

One thing I will say however is that I only recommend this for supplemental income. If you are looking to make a lot of money doing this its just not going to happen. You can make $20+ per hour but the problem is that you just won’t be able to get many good hours like that.

So it is worth it for many people but not all.

If you have an interest in driving for Uber Eats instead you can read this post on whether or not driving for this service is worth it.

Comments, questions, concerns??? Leave them below and I’ll get back to you soon 🙂

Is Driving for Uber Eats a Good Idea? What You Should Know

There are a lot of downsides to driving for Uber Eats, and then there are some upsides as well. But is driving for Uber Eats a good idea? That is the big question that needs answered before you decide whether or not you want to take the plunge and sign up.

Overall, I do think that driving for Uber Eats is a good opportunity and I do recommend it. However, I only recommend it as a way to supplement your income, as I do with regular Uber rideshare jobs.

In this short post I’m going to be covering some of the things that you should consider when thinking about driving for Uber Eats. There are downsides and I’m going to make them more known.

The Unmentioned Negative Aspects of The Job

When you come across ads for Uber Eats drivers they only tell you the good things that people want to hear. They always make the job opportunity seem better than it really is. I’m not saying that this is a bad job, I’m just saying that there are some downsides that you need to know, and some of these include…

Waiting

When you are doing restaurant deliveries for Uber Eats you WILL have to wait. There will be plenty of times that the restaurant hasn’t fully prepared the order yet and you will have to wait around until it is finished if you want to make any money.

The restaurants are busy and they have their own things to worry about so they probably aren’t going to respect your time either.

Sometimes you will have to wait 5-10 minutes for the restaurant to finish an order.

Parking

Find parking can be a massive pain that could potentially waste a good bit of your time. If you are in a congested city then you know what I am talking about. No one wants to deal with parking but its one of those things that you can’t avoid.

Once you spend more time on the job you will get better at parking because you will know where you can and can’t park, but it can still be a pain.

Not Getting Paid

You don’t get paid for all your time spent out on the job. You will only get paid when you deliver the food. But when you are driving to pick up and order at a restaurant or you are waiting on the order to finish, you won’t make a dime.

No Tips

That’s right, just like Uber’s rideshare service, there is no in-app tipping. On top of this, Uber advertises their Uber Eats service to customers as there being “no need to tip”.

So the reality here is that you won’t get many tips. And tips are usually what make delivery jobs like this worthwhile.

You are allowed to accept tips from customers, but from everything I have come across this just doesn’t happen that often, and it is largely due to customers thinking that they don’t have to tip.

Other Complaints

If you go to GlassDoor you can read anonymously posted reviews from UberEats drivers. You will find a range of complaints, many of which I just went over.

Is UberEats Worth Your Time?

Is it worth your time to work as an UberEats delivery driver? Not necessarily in my opinion. It can be a good job and it can be worth your time but this doesn’t mean that it will be.

The location in which you are working makes a big difference. Some locations just don’t have enough service demand compared to the number of drivers on the road and this means that there is just too much competition and you won’t be able to get enough orders. But there are also locations where people seem to make decent money.

All in all I would say that UberEats is worth your time BUT…. only use it to supplement your income. Don’t go out there and try to make tons of money with it. Test it out and see if it is worthwhile and go from there. There are people that make decent money driving for UberEats.

The Best Tip I Have for You

Uber Eats can somewhat be a hit or miss. Some people are able to make decent money with it and others barely make anything and end up quitting right away. But one piece of advice I can give that can make it all worth while is to deliver when there are PROMOTIONS.

When there are promotions going on you will get paid more than the normal rate for delivering. The promotions vary and could give you a few more bucks per delivery or they could be set at a fixed rate.

For example: A promotion could say that if you deliver for Uber Eats during this time frame you will get an extra $4/delivery or it could say that if you deliver within the specified time frame you are guaranteed $30/hr. There is no telling what the promos will offer you, but one thing is for sure… they make the job much more worth it and you can make a good bit more money working during promos.

When Does Uber Run Promotions?

There could be many reasons why Uber would run these special promotions. The reason for them doing so is because delivery drivers are in higher demand. This might be because there is bad weather and there aren’t enough delivery drivers out on the road, it could be because there is a special event going on and there are more Uber Eats orders than expected, and so on.

The reasons for these promotions is to get more Uber Eats drivers out on the road and they do so by giving some extra cash incentive as mentioned above.

Comments, questions, concerns??? Leave them below in the comment section and I’ll get back to you soon 🙂

If you are interested in this job then you can read my post on how to drive for Uber Eats. It will go over the steps you need to take to get started.

How to Drive for Uber Eats – What You Should Know

Uber Eats can be fun to drive for and is a nice alternative to the regular old rideshare driving services that Uber offers. If you are wondering how to drive for Uber Eats then this post is for you.

I have been getting questions regarding how to get started and aspects of the job so I finally decided to write this post on it. In this short post I’m going to explain the steps you need to take to get started, the requirements you have to meet, as well as what a day on the job is like working as an Uber Eats driver.

How To Get Started

To begin the process the first thing that you will have to do is apply. This is a smooth and simple process that is not a hassle at all. There is no formal interview or anything of that nature. The most worrisome part of it all is the background check, which I will go over in more detail shortly.

If you are already an Uber driver then the process of driving for Uber Eats is different and much simpler/faster. But if not you will have to go through the entire process as follows…

Step 1: Apply Online

To do this you will have to go to www.uber.com/a/signup/drive/deliver/. You will start by filling out personal details such as your name, address, phone number, and all that good stuff.

Step 2: Upload Documents

After you submit your application initially online you will then be contacted by email to continue the signup process. You will be asked to submit pictures of you driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.

Step 3: Consent to Background Check

You will also be required to consent to a background check and you must pass this check in order to become a partner. The background check will be run by a third party company called Checkr. This company is also responsible for running the background checks for similar companies such as PostMates and GrubHub.

I don’t want to get into the background check here but if you are interested in knowing more about it you can read a separate post I wrote here.

Step 4: Download The Uber Partners App

If all goes well and you pass the background check you will then be invited to download the Uber Partners app. You will get an email inviting you to do so. Once you have downloaded the app and logged in you can start delivering for Uber Eats and earning money right away.

Not Available In Your Area?

Because UberEats is one of Uber’s newest services it is not available in many areas that their rideshare services are available. There is nothing you can do about this. UberEats is still expanding quite a bit and is becoming available in more an more cities but if its not in your city all you can do is wait.

Whenever you go to actually apply you will find out real fast if its available or not. If it is not then you will be unable to complete the online application.

The Requirements

Driving for UberEats has slightly different requirements than driving for Uber’s rideshare services. Overall it is easier to get accepted to become an UberEats partner than a regular Uber rideshare partner, although both are extremely easy in my opinion.

In order to partner with Uber Eats you must…

Be at least 19 years old (at least 21 years old in Canada)
Have a driver’s license, regular insurance, and proof of vehicle registration
Have proof of vehicle registration
Have car insurance
Have at least one year of driving experience
Have a car that is 1996 or newer (varies depending on your location)
Be able to lift up to 30 pounds

As you can see, you meet the age requirements if you are just 19 years old, whereas you have to be a minimum of 21 years old to driver for Uber rideshare. Another difference is that you have to be able to lift 30 pounds. Its not like they are going to test you on this or anything, they are just kind-of letting you know that the job will require some lifting which will come in the form of lifting bags of food out of your car to deliver.

What a Day On The Job Is Like

There are 2 types of UberEats services that you can deliver for. There are your instant deliveries and there are your restaurant deliveries.

Instant Deliveries are pre-made food deliveries. With these you will stock up on the pre-made food at the distribution center near you before your shift. The food will be stored in warm bags. When people place orders in your area you will be able to accept them and you will then immediately deliver the food.

Restaurant deliveries are when people order through the Uber Eats app from a restaurant. Just as the instant deliveries, you will be able to accept the deliveries in your area that you want. The difference is that you will have to drive to the restaurant to pick up the food of course.

The Main Difference

The main difference between the 2 types of Uber Eats delivery jobs is the freedom you get. With instant delivery you have to schedule your shifts in advance. These are typically around busy hours like lunch time.

For restaurant deliveries it works like Uber rideshare. You just work whenever you want to. There are no shifts. You can accept a delivery at any time one is available and also can cancel an order if you wish too. There is a lot more time freedom here.

Note: UberEats is rapidly changing and some areas require you to schedule shifts whereas others do not.

A Typical Day

A typical day is exactly what you would expect. There aren’t really any surprises. Its simple, you pick up the food and you deliver the food.

When delivering instant deliveries you will stock up beforehand and when delivering restaurant deliveries you will go to the restaurant after an order is placed and you have accepted it. To pick up an order from a restaurant all you need is the order number. You don’t have to worry about paying for it or anything like that.

The Main Benefits of Driving for UberEats

You only have to be 19 years old
The car requirements are much more lenient

Because of these, driving for UberEats can be an advantage for some that cannot drive for Uber rideshare.

Comments, questions, concerns??? Leave them below in the comment section and I’ll get back to you soon 🙂

Lyft Background Check Requirements – What You Should Know

One of the most feared parts of the application process to become a Lyft driver is the background check. Just like Uber, Amazon Flex, and all the other similar companies, your past will be investigated if you want a job.

The Lyft background check requirements are pretty much the same as the background requirements for Uber, if you are familiar with them. And these requirements are what I will be going over in this post. By the time you are done reading this you should know whether you are going to pass or fail.

The 2 Different Background Checks

Driving Record

It is inevitable that Lyft is going to check into your driving record. You are going to be driving around as a partner using their name so of course they aren’t going to want bad drivers.

Criminal History

Lyft cannot accept any individual that applies. You may be a good person and have done some not so good things in the past but unfortunately this could be too much of a liability for lyft to consider you. Because of this they will have a somewhat in-depth background check performed on every applicant.

The Requirements

In order for you to meet the requirements to become a lyft driver you must NOT have any of the following on your driving record, nor in your criminal history.

Driving Record

More than 3 violations in the past 3 years. This includes minor accidents, failing to stop at traffic lights, going through stop signs, etc.
One major violation in the past 3 years. This includes reckless driving incidents, driving without a license, driving with a suspended license.
A DUI offense in the past 7 years.
A drug related driving offense in the past 7 years
Driving related criminal offenses. This includes hit & runs, etc.

Criminal History

Applicants’ criminal histories will be looked at going back 7 years in most cases. In some states they will look back even further. National and county databases will be looked into as well as local courthouse records. If you have any of the following on your records you will be disqualified.

Violent crimes
Felonies
Drug offenses
Sexual offenses
Theft or property damage offenses (minor thefts are admissible)

Certain cities may have different requirements for the criminal background check. For example in New York City the background checks are conducted by Taxi and Limousine Commission and you will pass or fail according to their standards.

Have a Misdemeanor or Felony that Is Right Around 7 Years Old?

If you have a misdemeanor that happened close to 7 years ago, but not quite, you may get away with it. Lyft may let it slide, but I wouldn’t chance it. Just wait it out until 7 years have passed.

And if you have a felony that is just over 7 years old there is always the chance that you will be disqualified for it.

The point I’m making here is that there are no concrete rules to this that Lyft provides to the public and it is still confusing even to me when I see that some people fail and others pass when there doesn’t appear to be much difference. The only sure way to find out if you are going to pass or fail is to consent to the background check and find out for sure.

How Long Does The Background Check Take?

Lyft gives you the timeline that your background check will take anywhere from 3-10 days. This will vary depending on several variables. These include the amount of applicants that Lyft has at certain times as well as your personal history. For example.. if you have a criminal history with several offenses that are “passable”, it may take longer to look into, whereas if your background is clean as a whistle it should be rather quick.

Generally I would say that applicants can expect their background checks to clear within 5 days.

If it is taking longer than 7 days then you might want to contact Lyft’s support team, and if its longer than 10 days then you definitely want to get in contact with them. There is always a chance that you might not have receive the email that they sent to you or that for some reason its just taking extra long. Whatever the reason the support team can help. But be patient, Lyft’s support is pretty notorious for being not very supportive.

Didn’t Pass? Try This

If for some reason you didn’t pass and you think that there was an error or that you should have passed for one reason or another you can contest the outcome.

What happens is you will get an email that tells you that you didn’t pass and you will also receive instructions on how to appeal this decision. Just follow the instructions and wait on the next decision.

Alternatively, you can reapply to Lyft and re-consent to a new background check after 3 months. So if you had a criminal conviction that will pass the 7 year mark by 3 months you should just wait to reapply.

You Will Have More Background Checks

One thing about driving for Lyft is that you will have to pass these background checks every year. You will receive an email notification or a notification inside the app that tells you that you must consent to an annual background check. You will have to consent to this in order to keep driving.

This is usually nothing to worry about and the only way that you would fail it is if you had driving incidents or criminal offenses in the past year that are unacceptable. There is always the possibility that the first background check skipped over something that would have disqualified you and the second time around they catch it and disqualify you. This could always happen but it is very uncommon.

Questions?

If you have any comments, questions, or concerns please leave them in the comment section below. I am sure there are some things that I left out of this post that need some attention so if there is any information you are looking for regarding the background checks just leave them below.

I will get back to you within 24 hours 🙂

Amazon Flex Tips – How Much Extra Money Can You Make?

One of the great things about Amazon Flex compared to some other similar services is that they support tips for drivers. Amazon Flex tips are very important to drivers and can be a game changer when it comes to the question “is it worth your time working as a delivery driver?”. Tips make a big difference, no doubt about it. But how much can you really make in tips? What is realistic?

In this short post I’m going to be covering all you need to know about the tips you can get as an Amazon Flex driver. I’ll be going over how it all works and what you can realistically expect to make.

How Tips Work

Amazon allows its customers to tip the drivers up to 48 hours after delivery. This tipping is very convenient for the customers because it can be done directly through the app. Because it is so easy this leads to more tips being given to the delivery drivers.

The tips made through the app you could call “official” tips. But then there are the “unofficial” tips. These are the tips that you will get from time to time when you deliver to customers and they hand you some cash as a tip. These are not to be expected and you actually aren’t supposed to accept them, but they do happen and its really nice when they do.

How Much Can You Expect To Make?

Amazon claims that drivers can expect anywhere from $0-7 in tips per hour that they are on the clock delivering. And this is pretty realistic.

The reason that it ranges so much, from $0 to $7 as Amazon says, is because the biggest variable is the number of deliveries that you actually make.

You might have a block where you only make a several deliveries. With a block like this there is a good chance you won’t get any tips. Whereas if you have a block with 20+ deliveries you can expect to get some tips during that.

Another variable that plays a role in how much you will make in tips is the area in which you are delivering. The demographic of your area definitely plays a role.

And lastly, one of the most obvious is how you present yourself. If you deliver a package and just drop it down on the doorstep and go about it in a rude manner, you probably aren’t going to get a tip. And actually you might end up getting a complaint on you.

What I Would Expect

If I were to give you a more narrow range for the amount of money that you can expect from tips I would say to expect $4 – $8.

What This Means for Drivers

Tips are an absolute game-changer in my opinion. Why???

Well as you may or may not know, Amazon Flex drivers are considered independent contractors. And what this means is that they have to pay for all the work related expenses that come with the job. This means paying for gas, for new tires, for oil changes, for new brakes and rotors,… and everything else you can think of.

Tips luckily will do a good job at covering these expenses. Generally, how I see it, is that the tips go straight toward the expenses. When I think about how much money a driver makes, I only think about the base pay because I know that the tips are going to get sucked back out of your bank account and go into paying for gas mainly.

Of course me saying that the tips will cover your car expenses is a very general assumption. There are a lot of variables that will determine how much your expenses will actually be. If you have a new hybrid car you are going to have a lot less expenses than someone driving a beat up old hunk of junk.

Amazon Prime Now Tips

If you are a Flex driver that is delivering for Amazon Prime Now, by default customers will be recommended to give you a $5 tip or 10%. Of course they can change this to any amount they want, including $0, but since Amazon defaults to a tip amount it increases the chances that you will get tipped.

Final Thoughts

There are a lot of complaints you can have about the Amazon Flex job position, but tips are not one of them. Amazon doesn’t get anything out of the tips. They are all for the drivers and you, the driver, will get 100% of the tip.

This is a nice gesture by Amazon and it definitely makes a big difference.

While Amazon says that they can take up to 48 hours to process them, you can generally expect to have them in your account within 2-3 days.

Do you have any questions, comments, concerns??? Leave them below in the comment section and I’ll get back to you soon 🙂

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