Amazon Flex is an app managed delivery service that utilizes private contractors to deliver Amazon goods. Amazon got on the app deliver service bandwagon when they realized that owning fleets of cars or being bound by a contract to fleet owners in certain areas was old school thinking. By copying DoorDash and Postmates, they effectively joined the 21st Centuries emerging mobile based logistics services.
Signing up to Amazon Flex has four categories, two of them, are not the same as signing up to DoorDash or Postmates, here the driver is signing up with the Supplier, they are delivering products ordered through Amazon and as such must meet with some of Amazon's strict requirements. The other two categories are direct competitors to all delivery services including DoorDash, Postmates, UberEats and more.
Since Amazon Flex's delivery types are characteristically different. The applicant must be aware of these differences before applying. In this article, we will review the different Amazon Flex categories and what is needed to apply for each one.
Amazon Flex Categories
- Amazon Logistics (AMZL)
- Prime Now
- Amazon Fresh
- Amazon Restaurants
Amazon Logistics (AMZL)
This is the basic service that Amazon provides it's their package delivery service. AMZL offers two kinds of delivery services, a same-day delivery service, and a standard 2-day delivery service.
The actual working hours are set by Amazon and are between 8 am and 9 pm.
The packages vary in size, shape and weight and drivers will either collect a small number of packages from a distribution center or a large amount in a local warehouse.
The route and number of items for delivery are set by Amazon's software, so drivers get a list of deliveries that are present in a queue for delivery. Each workload is called a block, so when you hear this term you know, it's a period of work time.
Amazon blocks usually occur during the daytime hours, so some customers are not at home to receive them, drivers are expected to assure safe delivery, if this cannot be the case then they keep the package and return it to the warehouse or distribution center from where it came.
All deliveries are expected to be to the front door, only when the door is unanswered does a driver consider going around to the back door. This is left to the driver's discretion.
AMZL drivers do not usually get tipped, and AMZL drivers are not allowed to get tipped in any case. If you want to drive for Amazon and be tipped, you should consider the Flex program which includes tipping. The Flex program is a tipping program but is harder to deliver than Logistics since most customers prefer a quick delivery, paid for final. This means that there are more Logistics blocks than Flex ones.
Prime Now
This is Amazon’s fast delivery service, which means that drivers must deliver their packages within a one to the two-hour time frame. The blocks are made available on a demand basis, so there is no pre-defined block of Prime Now deliveries, they can occur a few times daily. Due to the earnings, these deliver provide; they are highly competitive at the same time if a driver makes too many late deliveries they can be deactivated.
While Flex drivers might receive a one or two-hour delivery block, these deliveries tend to be much further apart and in some instances also far away from the distribution center. On some occasions, drivers have been asked to make Prime Now deliveries over one hundred miles away.
Some deliveries will include alcohol and other items that will require an identification verification, and for items that are perishable, the driver must have a container that can keep the item at low temperatures during the delivery.
There are some up-sides to the pressure when a delivery block is completed before the time frame is over, then the delivery person will be asked to perform another Prime Now delivery. Drivers of Prime now are also allowed to receive tips, the tips are paid up front by customers when making their Prime Now order, so drivers receive their tips around a day after the delivery has been completed. Another up-side is that Prime Now deliveries always occur when the customer is present, that is why Prime Now drivers never have to wait when delivering.
Amazon Fresh
This is Amazon's answer to PeadPod, InstaCart, and Shipt; it's their grocery delivery service. This service includes a delayed delivery feature, which is a scheduled order, customers can place the order online, set the date and time of the delivery and also notify the driver if they are at home or not, what is termed "attended" an "unattended."
Another feature of this service is Amazon's investment in brick and mortar delivery centers, which allows customers to come to the delivery center and just get their cars loaded. Amazon states that this service is not proving to be efficient or profitable, so it might not continue.
Usually, deliveries are dropped off at the door of the location, although some customers might ask the drivers to deliver into the kitchen. This is more of a Flex type service, and drivers have the option of refusing on the grounds of personal safety. If a driver refuses, they could lose their tip since customers can change the tip amount after a delivery has been made.
The main differences with Amazon Fresh, when compared to other similar services, is that with Amazon the driver doesn't do any shopping, the packages are prepared, and the driver just loads up and delivers them. What drivers should do is have enough car space for large deliveries as well as have some containers for bags that might seem insecure.
Amazon Restaurants
This is Amazon's competition to DoorDash, Postmates, and UberEats. This is Amazon's "Hot Wheels" service and aims to deliver hot meals to customers on time. The main features of this service are how the driver picks a delivery block, which is usually set for a two-hour period. This service guarantees an $18 per hour even when there are no deliveries.
This service is similar to how DoorDash, Postmates, and UberEats works. Drivers near a restaurant will be offered a pickup, and the must arrive at the restaurant and deliver factoring into the delivery process more pickups on the way. Customers must be present to receive the drop-off, so when a customer is not present, the driver contacts support. Drivers are asked to take more condiments with each delivery; it helps make the final product more attractive to the customer.
Conclusions
Another example of perfect competition delivered by a logistics company that was on the market well before Uber, DoorDash, and others. Amazon is just adapting to the new market and expanding its services.