Welcome to another WTF Wednesday where we break down the latest happenings concerning the gig that we all love to hate, Amazon Flex.
Requesting Blocks
In select locations Amazon has rolled out a new feature to the app where drivers can request blocks in advance. Amazon claims that this will make it easier and more convenient to find blocks that align with your schedule. Drivers in select areas can now request blocks up to two days in advance. The day before the delivery, drivers will know which request have been granted.
In theory, this doesn’t sound too bad. No more mindless tapping on the Amazon Flex app trying to catch a block like an elusive fish. Rather drivers can conveniently request the blocks that they want and wait for Amazon to grant them the opportunity to work. How very nice of them, in theory.
Of course though, Flex drivers are smarter than that. There’s a consensus among drivers that Amazon may be up to something shady (again) while framing it as “beneficial”.
The Hot Take
Drivers speculate that Amazon is using the Request feature as a way to eliminate or reduce the block surge. It’s no surprise to drivers or the world that Amazon does not want to pay drivers anymore than they have to. In fact, they were busted by the FTC for misappropriating drivers tips. Based on this it’s not unrealistic to say that Amazon will go out of its way so that they don’t have to pay drivers even a penny more.
With the Request feature there will be no chance for a block to surge because Amazon will grant driver request at the base rate. New drivers who don’t know about surges or the “Don’t take base rate” movement will happily take these request blocks because they won’t know any better.
The Future of Flex
Us old Flex heads may have to suck it up and adapt to the changes, which we’re used to by now. It could be that the Request feature will replace Offer drops altogether. Amazon hinted to this in an email to drivers:
If enough drivers make use of the Request feature then they may do away with Offer drops, which would likely eliminate block surges.
Summary
With a little slight of hand Amazon has come out with the Request feature framing it as a convenience. While we were distracted with the shiny new bells and whistles in the Flex app Amazon makes surge blocks *poof* disappear. New drivers will be in awe at the convenience. No more tappity tap! they’ll praise. Meanwhile Amazon will be laughing all the way to the bank with pride in how they tricked drivers to work for less money.
The old Amazon Flex heads know better than to fall for this old trick. We’ve always been underestimated and look down on. No longer! We won’t take base rates or give into Amazon’s “Requests”.
Rally the troops and let new drivers know: Don’t take base rates!
Be safe and Flex on!