Imagine you’ve got a block scheduled for tomorrow and you don’t really feel like working it. You flirt with the idea of cancelling it but decide to do it later. Next thing you know, you get a ping on your phone. It vibrates and moves on the table. You pick it up and check your email and behold.. the golden email:
The Golden email from Amazon Flex refers to when your block has been cancelled but you’re still going to get paid. Then Amazon sends you an email about it, and it’s GOLDEN! You still get paid and don’t have to work the block. You can even schedule another block in that same time slot and make double the cash!
Amazon Flex Block Cancellations
There are several types of block cancellations that you may experience with Amazon Flex. There’s the ones that you cancel yourself, the ones that Amazon cancels and you don’t get paid, the ones that they cancel and you do get paid, and the blocks where you arrive at the warehouse and get sent home with no packages to deliver and still get paid.
Self Cancellation
It’s cool, we get it, sometimes you can’t do a block and need to cancel it. Just make sure to do it at least 45 minutes before the block’s start time or within 5 minutes if you accept a block that begins in less than 45 minutes.
See the video here for more info:
Canceled by Amazon and Not Paid
If the opposite of this is the “Golden Email”, then this must be the dog sh*t one. If Amazon cancels your block and notifies you at least 48 hours in advance, then you ain’t getting paid and your block is gone. You get a shitty email that looks like this:
Canceled by Amazon With Payment
We discussed this earlier in the post, this is the “Golden Email” experience. This happens when Amazon needs to cancel your block but the 48 hour notification period has passed and they have to pay you. These are rare “unicorn” experiences. You might get lucky and get one but don’t hold your breath.
Arrived at the Station and Sent Home With Pay
Drivers love these because they’re so unexpected. You arrive at the warehouse, wait in a line of cars, finally get to the station attendant only to be sent home with no packages to deliver and you still get paid.
This happens for a variety of reasons but the most common is that the station you’re at is a cluster fuck. If true, you’ll likely experience this more than a few times, but don’t count on it.
Should You Worry About Cancelled Blocks?
No, definitely not.
You can cancel as many blocks as you want. Just remember to always do it 45 minutes before the block start time, or within 5 minutes if the block is about to start.
If Amazon cancels your block, then that’s out of your control. Hopefully you’ll get paid. Be sure to check the Flex app and your email before heading to the station to make sure you still have the block scheduled.
Late Cancellations
If you cancel a block late then you’re in for a world of hurt. Amazon doesn’t take this lightly and it’s probably the #1 reason why drivers get deactivated. Again, always cancel 45 minutes before the block start time, or within 5 minutes after accepting if the block is about to start.
Summary
There’re lots of reason why Amazon could cancel your block. The most common is that the station doesn’t have their shit together. Hopefully you’ll get to experience the “Golden Email” one day and get sent home with pay. Remember to always cancel your blocks on time and check your app and email to ensure you still have blocks scheduled before heading to the station.
Appreciate it, see you in the next one.