What’s going on, Flex drivers! In this post, we’re going to dive deep into the world of Amazon Flex, armed with top tips from pro drivers. We’ll explore how you can maximize your earnings, complete blocks faster, and decide if retail deliveries are worth your time.
Let’s get to it! By the end of this post, you’ll have a solid game plan for securing high-paying early morning blocks, a step-by-step guide to organizing your packages like a pro, and new insight on the pros and cons of retail deliveries.
You’ll be equipped with the knowledge and strategies to level up your Amazon Flex game, making your hustle more efficient and profitable.
The Witching Hour: When Blocks are A’Brewin
There’s a whisper among the Flex community, a rumor that during the witching hour between 3 to 4 AM, the Amazon Flex app becomes a cauldron of block drops. For those brave souls who dare to rouse from their slumber during this mystical hour, the payoff could be a high-paying block that sets the tone for a profitable day. So, if you’re willing to trade a bit of sleep for the chance at a lucrative morning, this might just be the strategy for you.
Set your alarm for around this time, howl at the moon, and maybe grab yourself a great block from the alleged, “ass crack or dawn” block drop.
Package Tetris: Mastering the Art of Organization
Package organization can become a heated topic among Flex drivers. Each seasoned drivers comes with their own unique, tried and true method.
New drivers might be tempted to skip this step, but if you plan to do Flex long term, do yourself a favor and organize those packages.
The Scan-&-Rescan Sharpie Method:
First scan all of your packages normally. Then move your car to a safe place that doesn’t block anyone. Then open the Amazon Flex app, navigate to todays itinerary, select the list view, and look for the following icon at the top:
Press that button, scan a package, then the app will tell you which stop number the package is. Write the number on the package with a sharpie.
- Car Zoning: Divide your car into zones based on the order of delivery. For example, Front Passenger Seat: Packages 1-10, Backseat Passenger Side: Packages 11-20, and so on.
- Package Migration: After every 10 deliveries or so, rotate your packages. Move the packages from the backseat to the front and the packages from the trunk to the backseat.
- Delivery Ninja: When you arrive at a delivery location, you can quickly grab the right package, scan it, take a picture, and get back in your car.
The following videos show this process in action:
Retail Deliveries: Worth the Hustle?
Now, let’s talk about a new player in the Amazon Flex game: retail deliveries. Picking up packages from local stores and delivering them to customers’ doorsteps might sound like a fun change of pace, but is it worth it? Let’s weigh the pros and cons.
Pros:
- Variety: Retail deliveries can break the monotony of regular warehouse pickups.
- Potential for High Pay: Some drivers have reported decent earnings from retail deliveries. One driver shared their experience with a 3-hour block for $79 at their local mall for five packages and four stops.
- Availability of Orders: Retail locations often have a lot of Amazon orders ready for pickup, which can make the pickup process smoother.
Cons:
- Earnings vs. Costs: One driver calculated that after considering the standard mileage cost, they earned about $2.50 before tax for a retail delivery. This raises questions about the cost-effectiveness of retail deliveries.
- Missing Packages: Some drivers have reported issues with missing packages during retail deliveries, which can complicate the delivery process and potentially affect earnings.
- Questionable Worth: Some drivers question the worth of retail deliveries, especially when considering the cost of the trip, including fuel costs, compared to the base pay.
Conclusion: So, are retail deliveries worth the hustle? It seems to depend on various factors, including your location, the availability of orders, and your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. As with all things Amazon Flex, it might require some trial and error to find out if retail deliveries are a good fit for you. Each area is different so give it a try, retail deliveries could prove profitable for you.
Summary
And there you have it, Flex drivers! We’ve journeyed through the mystical hours of early morning block drops, mastered the art of package Tetris, and weighed the pros and cons of retail deliveries. Now, you’re armed with the knowledge and strategies to level up your Amazon Flex game.
Remember, every day is a new opportunity to maximize your earnings and efficiency. Whether you’re an early bird catching the high-paying blocks, a package organization ninja, or a retail delivery explorer, you’re in control of your Amazon Flex journey.
Don’t let them make you forget, you’re the boss on this road and the captain of the ship! Only accept the blocks that work best for your schedule. Feel free to experiment, and ditch the blocks that don’t pay right. It’s your choice, you’re the boss!
Keep hustling friends, appreciate it.
Stay safe. See you in the next one.