Amazon Flex drivers fired for missing packages. 13 Action News is calling it a “Flaw in the System”. This has been an ongoing complaint by Flex drivers. A package marked delivered by the driver but reported not received by the customer. The blame goes on the driver, every time.
In the video report by Action 13 the drivers says that “It’s personal, they’re basically calling you a lair and a thief.” and we agree with this sentiment. Many drivers have tried to contact support about missing packages. Some even claiming to have video evidence with a body camera. None have succeeded in winning a claim against missing packages. There is no investigation for such claims. Amazon will always side with the customer.
Eventually the driver in the video claims to have received 7 complaints that customer’s didn’t receive their packages. She goes on to say “All with photos to prove that they had”. While it’s natural to feel that the photos we take during deliveries will protect us from such claims. Amazon has stated on many occasions that the photos are for the customer, not for drivers. Taking photos of the package at the customers door does not prove anything. Anyone can take a photo, and still steal a package. The photos are meant for customers so that they know where their package was left.
Action 13 looked into Amazon Flex Terms of Service and found that it clearly states “If customers report that they cannot find packages you marked as delivered, you will no longer be eligible to participate in the program.”
The driver claims that “It’s not the drivers
responsibility what happens after they leave.”
This is an absurd claim. Then who’s responsibility is it? At what point does the driver take responsibility for the packages in their possession. We agree with many points in this video report, but not this. Amazon should do more to protect independent contractors from false claims and thieves. Yes, it is personal when we receive these claims. It does seem unfair when Amazon will not even consider the drivers points on the issue.
However, at some point, the driver must take responsibility. Once a driver leaves the warehouse with a car full of Amazon’s property, it is absolutely their responsibility what happens.
It’s easy to place the fault on the most profitable online retail company in the world. Saying that there’s a flaw in the system. Of course they are not prefect. In many ways getting blamed for missing packages is unfair. The system may indeed be flawed. But we as drivers must take responsibility at some point for the packages. It’s the hard truth. Fair or no, the terms of service are very clear.
Tips to avoid deactivation here:
“Marked delivered but not received” – How many can you get before deactivation?
