RSG073: Taylor Soper on What It’s Like to Deliver Packages for Amazon Flex

Have you ever wondered how Amazon Flex works? Are you paid hourly, what’s the wear and tear on your vehicle like, and what’s up with drones? Today, I talk with Taylor Soper of GeekWire about his experience working for Amazon Flex. We’ll cover how much you can expect to make, what the pros and cons are, and more in this podcast episode!

Thank you to Isaac S. and Ron, who submitted reviews of The Rideshare Guide on Amazon and emailed me a copy of their review! They’ve won an Amazon gift card for submitting their entry via email. Want a chance to win? Email me a copy of your Amazon review!

Have you ever wondered how Amazon Flex works? Are you paid hourly, what's the wear and tear on your vehicle like, and what's up with drones? Today, I talk with Taylor Soper of GeekWire about his undercover experience working for Amazon Flex. We'll cover how much you can expect to make, what the pros and cons are, and more in this podcast episode!

If you’d like to read a transcript of this podcast, please click here.

Intro

  • Have you ever wondered how Amazon is able to deliver to the exact doorstep millions of packages seemingly every day?
  • One of the ways that they’re able to do that is with a program called Amazon Flex
  • I’m speaking with Taylor Soper, a reporter for GeekWire, who recently worked for Amazon Flex over the busy holiday season
  • We’ll be talking about how much money you can make as a Flex driver and how being a Flex driver differs from driving for Uber/Lyft or even Postmates/DoorDash
  • My book is out: The Rideshare Guide! It’s a book for really anyone from new drivers to people who’ve been driving for a while, and it’s meant to be a book you can skip around and find what you’re looking for. You can find out more about it here.

Interview with Taylor Soper

  • Taylor Soper is a GeekWire staff reporter who covers a wide variety of tech assignments, including start ups, the sharing economy and more
  • Taylor isn’t an Amazon-only reporter, but Amazon is based in Seattle, WA (where Taylor is), so they are tracked closely
  • Amazon uses the city as a test bed for many of their services, including Amazon Go and Amazon meal kits
  • Became curious about Amazon Flex because it’s very Uber-esque, where regular people can use their vehicles, do some delivery, and make money

Amazon Flex Program

  • Amazon Flex is basically a package delivery program, designed to alleviate the problem of the last mile cost of delivery
  • Drivers go to the distribution center, load up their cars with packages, and then go out and deliver
  • There aren’t many requirements to be a Flex driver either – a smartphone, 4-door vehicle, a background check, watch some videos that take you through the process
  • Very similar to Uber and Lyft. After you’ve gone through this process, you choose a “block” of time to drive and hit the road
  • You also always know what you’re going to get paid, too, which is better than Uber/Lyft

Amazon’s Delivery Strategy

  • Amazon uses algorithms to determine the best routes, blocks, etc. but there is some strategy to delivering with Amazon
  • Taylor fit 41 boxes in his vehicle – Amazon does have it down to a science when it comes to boxes and delivery
  • One thing drivers have to do is sometimes educate people – they’re not expecting a regular person (not in a delivery uniform) showing up at their house

Pros/Cons of Amazon Flex

  • Good for part-time driving – not enough to make it on full-time
  • Less wear and tear on your vehicle than driving for Uber/Lyft – fewer miles driven
  • Good exercise
  • Make sure you watch the instructional videos Amazon provides – it’s not rocket science, but you want to be informed before you go out

Amazon + Drone Delivery

  • Drone delivery definitely coming
  • Will need to get everything approved, regulated
  • Identified Technologies – one company doing something similar
  • Not every single package will be delivered by drones, but wouldn’t be surprised if in a few years, drones were more prevalent

Outro

  • Thank you again to Taylor for coming on and sharing his story about driving for Amazon Flex
  • One thing I really like about Flex is it’s a fixed hourly rate – you know what you’ll be making. Not always the case with Uber/Lyft
  • Make sure you check out his article and sign up for GeekWire’s daily newsletter
  • Just a reminder – it might take me a couple days to get back to your emails! I can’t respond within an hour, but I generally get back to your questions within two days 🙂
  • Don’t forget – The Rideshare Guide is out!
  • Super pumped about the book – you can also order it here:
  • Follow me on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and you can always contact me if you have questions – I like to hear from you all!

Show Notes

If you’d like to read a transcript of this podcast, please click here.

-Harry @ RSG