The do’s and the don’ts of the dreaded Amazon Flex apartment deliveries. Why are they dreaded and how to deal with it.
Apartments have bad design:
The majority of apartment complexes have the worst possible design for delivery people. You cannot see the building numbers from your car due to over-head parking garages blocking any hope of a view. Or trees, or non-existent, poorly placed building numbers.
How to deal with it:
If the apartment has a map at the entrance make sure to take a picture of it. This is always super helpful but not all apartments have maps. I know right?
Take a deep breath. Remember, one package at a time. Don’t rush it. Apartments are the worst. We feel for you. Don’t drop kick any packages out of frustration.
Stop into the office. Politely ask them if the accept resident packages. Don’t expect them to say yes, many apartment offices will not accept them. Or they will want you to try each door first.
Package theft high at apartments:
Apartment complexes naturally have higher foot traffic. Lots of people are going to see a package if it’s left out in the open. This is a big deal for us Flex drivers. Since we have very low, to non-existent job security. If a package comes up missing it’s on us.
How to deal with it:
If it’s a good neighborhood, nice apartment complex, senior citizen apartments, etc.. The package will probably be alright left at the door. Use best judgement here. Hide smaller packages under the door mat if the customer has one. Always knock, you don’t have to wait for them, but you can.
If the office won’t take the packages, and you’re not comfortable leaving them, mark “No safe place” and return it to the station. Be sure to attempt all (reasonable) deliveries.
Climbing Stairs:
Apartments typically have several floors. If the office want’s you to try each door first or won’t take packages at all, that means you’ve got some stair climbing to do.
How to deal with it:
Get a cart. A small lightweight cart will make things less labor intensive. Though perhaps a bit more time consuming.
Secured buildings:
Some apartments have gate codes. The customer will not always leave the access code for drivers, or they give the wrong code. You can’t get in. What do?
How to deal with it:
Call the customer. Wait for someone to go in and follow behind. Attempt to contact the office if you can find the number. If all else fails mark undeliverable as “Access problem” within the app.
TLDR:
- Apartment deliveries take much more time.
- Relax and take it one package at a time.
- It’s going to be more labor intensive. Get a cart.
- Apartment staff won’t always take resident packages.
- It’s not always safe to leave packages at doors due to theft.
- Apartments are poorly designed. Take a picture of the map if they have one.
Q & A:
- Can I leave packages at the customers door?
- Sometimes yes. It depends on several factors such as the neighborhood and apartment complex condition. Use best judgement. The likelihood of a package being stolen at an apartment is much higher.
- Can I leave packages at the management office?
- The staff may or may not accept them. They have no obligation to do so. Do not expect them to.
- Do I have to call the customer and support for each undeliverable package?
- Technically yes. Practically no. Use best judgement.
- Can I return undeliverable package to the station?
- Yes. And be all means do so if there is no safe place to leave them. Be sure to attempt each delivery first as this is tracked and shows up in weekly summaries.
Missing anything, questions, concerns? Drop them in the comments. Thanks for stopping by, we appreciate it. Flex on!