Amazon generated a lot of buzz recently with it’s “Alexa, thank my driver” promotion. On the surface the program was intended as a way for Amazon and customers to show appreciation for their delivery drivers. Flex drivers, who often feel overlooked and under appreciated, were particularly excited for the promotion.
Smoke and Mirrors
One driver, Briana posted online December 7th about how they were excited and hopeful but knew deep down that it was all smoke and mirrors. The very next day on December 8th Flex drivers learned that the promotion was already over. Drivers excitement and hope quickly turned to disappointment and a familiar feeling of being bamboozled by Amazon.
Flex drivers are known for their creativity and out of the box thinking. Many posted about how they planned to remind customers that they can tell Alexa to “thank my driver”, this way they’ll be more likely to receive the extra five dollars. One saying that they were going to have stickers printed and place them onto packages to serve as an ad for the program.
Not all drivers were as hopeful, many saying that the promotion was simply a publicity stunt to cover for the fact that Amazon was facing a lawsuit for withholding drivers tips. Others expressed the promotion was ploy to get customers to interact with the Alexa ecosystem, which is perceived to be failing.
It seems that many Flex drivers including us here at FlexSwag got caught up in the excitement and forgot to read the part about how the $5 promotion would end when 1 million “thank my driver’s” were received. We underestimated how quickly that would happen. The promotion was over within a day and most drivers never had the opportunity to benefit from it.
It’s unfortunate to see drivers go from excited and hopeful to disappointed and dejected so quickly. However, when you’ve been in this gig long enough you become hardened and never let hope get out of hand. Like Flex driver Briana I think deep down we all knew it was a hope for the best, prepare for the bullshit situation. Although we are happy to see that some drivers did benefit. One posting that they were up $200 from the deal.
We appreciate that Amazon made an effort even if it was a publicity stunt. Flex drivers are not selfish and we celebrate when other drivers make extra cash. Even if our own hope of making some for ourselves is crushed. We know that Amazons tactics and shenanigans won’t break the Flex driver spirit as a community. We look out for each other and keep our emotions in check when Amazon comes around promising perks.
Drivers know that customers appreciate them. They are always posting about how nice it is to deliver to a house with refreshments and snacks. Customers tell us everyday “thank you” in real life. We have a mutual appreciation and respect. The driver-customer relationship is as strong as ever. The driver-Amazon relationship needs work, there’re trust issues and publicity stunts only add to the scars.
A giant THANK YOU to customers who go out of their way to show appreciation to delivery workers. It means a lot.
