In the shadowy corners where Amazon Flex drivers congregate and in hushed tones you may have overheard drivers talking about “scripts”. These mysterious programs seemingly like magic are able to provide some drivers with an abundance of blocks. Like a mafia these Amazon Flex goons keep their so called “scripts” under multiple layers of secrecy.
One does not simply Google “Amazon Flex scripts” and get to join the club, oh no no no. This magical secret sauce is so shadowy and secretive that some drivers claim they don’t even exist. They’ll call you a conspiracy theorist for even mentioning it. The truth is, these scripts do exist and the drivers who use them are able to grab blocks for themselves and their cronies with little to no effort and with absolutely no concern for competition.
How’s it done?
Without getting too technical here’s a simplified explanation of how they do it:
Regular users communicate with the Amazon Flex servers through the Amazon Flex app. The blocks live on these servers and they’re sent to the app where you can then view and accept them. Fair enough, but in the shadows there’s something nefarious going on.
While you’re tapping away trying to get a block the script operators have placed themselves between the server and the Flex app. Giving them direct access to blocks. Since they’re the “man in the middle” they’re able to grab blocks directly from Amazon’s servers before they reach the Flex app. Giving normal users absolutely no chance at getting the block.
You see, the scripts give the bad guys a quicker route to accepting blocks. You have to wait for them to go from the server to the Flex app. The script users take them straight from the server. It’s unlikely that there’s a person sitting there doing this all day. Rather, the scripts automate the whole process and grab blocks for certain drivers. Regular and honest tappers fight for whatever the scripters don’t take.
It’s also likely that the script groups compete with each other. The only hope of competing with a script is having a better and faster script. I’m sure there’s a whole world of drama and sabotage going on in some dark corner of the web. Where script users try to out-do and out perform other rival scripts.
If you want more technical details about this process we wrote some articles about it here.
Myths
- Scripts can take assigned blocks from other drivers
The myth that scripts can steal a block from you that you’ve already accepted is highly unlikely. Amazon would know if this happened and they’d know who did it. This probably isn’t even possible.
- Scripts are legal and safe
It’s not illegal to write computer code to automate things for you. It is however illegal to access computers when you’re not authorized. If you encounter an Amazon Flex scripter and they try to sell you on the fact that it’s safe and legal, they’re lying.
- Scripts are run by warehouse workers
I mean.. maybe. I haven’t seen any evidence of that but I’ve definitely heard that theory tossed around. I doubt it though. It doesn’t take “insider knowledge” to write a block grabbing script. You just need a little coding knowledge. Anyone could do it and it’s more likely not Amazon staff.
- Scripts are the one and only reason you can’t get blocks
Some drivers seem to think that every time they miss a block it’s because of scripts. This is not true. Sometimes you miss it because another legitimate tapper got to it before you. The scripts are by no means taking ALL of the blocks. Amazon Flex has their own internal algorithms and not all drivers see the same blocks at the same time. Basically, it’s not an even playing field by design. If Amazon 100% eliminated the scripts you would still miss some blocks.
- Everyone is using scripts
I assure you that they’re not. If you can’t create your own then you usually have to pay to use these scripts and they’re very expensive. Most drivers won’t go near it out of fear of being deactivated. Most drivers are not using scripts. A very small percentage of them are and they’re able to get the best blocks.
Unpopular Opinion
As a coder and Amazon Flex driver I have a conflicting opinion.
Scripts are good!
Scripts are good because they solve a problem using computer code. Automating tedious and boring tasks for yourself is not bad, it’s good.
If you’re interested in creating your own scripts check out “Automate the Boring Stuff with Python”: https://automatetheboringstuff.com/
Python is great beginner programming language and it’s perfect for automating boring computer task that you don’t feel like doing yourself, such as tapping on your phone for hours.
Scripts are Bad!
Amazon Flex block grabbing scripts are bad the same way that cheating is bad. People shouldn’t cheat, we all know that. We also know that people will cheat if they can get away with it. In the Amazon Flex game there’re no referees.
I don’t believe that script users are bad. Rather, the people who sell these scripts as a service are bad because they’re shady, untrustworthy, and their prices are not fair or competitive.
Amazon is Bad!
Amazon might be bad. I think that they’re lazy. They had to of known when building Amazon Flex that scripts would be an issue. They decided to let it be. As long as the packages get delivered then whatever.. right?
Summary
I wrote this post to try and shed some more light on the dark and shadowy world of Amazon Flex scripts. There’s a lot of disinformation out there in the groups and forums. This disinfo comes from either ignorance or the script users themselves, likely both. I think it’s important that Amazon Flex drivers are able to have an honest and informed discussion about the use of scripts. Knowledge is power after all.
It doesn’t seem like Amazon is going to take action on this issue any time soon but maybe with increased awareness and knowledge about this issue one day they’ll have no choice.
One thing is for sure. The script operators and users would rather we didn’t talk about this topic at all. They want us to continue believing that it isn’t real. They want us fighting among ourselves so that we never make any progress towards a solution. I don’t know what the solution is or if there is one but shining a light on the cockroaches sends them scattering.
Appreciate it!
