My First and Last Day with Uber Flex

5453 Views 25 Replies 7 Participants Last post by FAC, Jul 9, 2016

FAC

Discussion Starter · Jul 7, 2016

Uber Flex just arrived in Denver yesterday and today was my first and last day! I showed up with a pile of 80 boxes I was supposed to deliver. Som how I got them in my car. I asked them how they expect me to deliver all these in time. They said they are all close by. Which they were kinda. I had a group of packages in one area then drove 7 miles to deliver another batch of boxes. Then directed back to the same area 7 miles away where I started. Had a delivery where the person doesn't live there anymore. Wasted 30 min on phone with support finally told to return the box to amazon at the end of day. I mentioned there is no way I'll be able to complete all the deliveries. I was told to finish my deliveries.

Returned to the Amazon that's 20mles from me two hours on the dot after my block was finished to deliver my final non-deliverable package. I was told I'll only get paid for the four hour block. So I argued that I was told by support to complete my deliveries and come back to warehouse. So technically I should get paid. The guy mentioned he'd contact someone about it but can't promise anything.

Over 75 miles driving delivering packages for 6hrs. And stuck in rush hour on the way home. On one the hottest days of the year and my AC went out. Oh yeah the gps had me take the toll roads so had to pay additional $7. So I averaged less than $10/hr before expenses.

Flex makes Uber look like a dream job!

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UTX1

· #5 · Jul 7, 2016

FAC said:
Uber Flex just arrived in Denver yesterday and today was my first and last day! I showed up with a pile of 80 boxes I was supposed to deliver. Som how I got them in my car. I asked them how they expect me to deliver all these in time. They said they are all close by. Which they were kinda. I had a group of packages in one area then drove 7 miles to deliver another batch of boxes. Then directed back to the same area 7 miles away where I started. Had a delivery where the person doesn't live there anymore. Wasted 30 min on phone with support finally told to return the box to amazon at the end of day. I mentioned there is no way I'll be able to complete all the deliveries. I was told to finish my deliveries.

Returned to the Amazon that's 20mles from me two hours on the dot after my block was finished to deliver my final non-deliverable package. I was told I'll only get paid for the four hour block. So I argued that I was told by support to complete my deliveries and come back to warehouse. So technically I should get paid. The guy mentioned he'd contact someone about it but can't promise anything.

Over 75 miles driving delivering packages for 6hrs. And stuck in rush hour on the way home. On one the hottest days of the year and my AC went out. Oh yeah the gps had me take the toll roads so had to pay additional $7. So I averaged less than $10/hr before expenses.

Flex makes Uber look like a dream job!

Sounds about par for the course for a first day. Fortunately (or unfortunately

), you got to see some of the zingers that get thrown at you out there. Just because it's packages instead of passengers, it's not all cake. Support is.....well, something else. Warehouse staff is a mix of adept and inept. Customers are similar to pax in that they're seldom there when and where you expect them. Most deliveries are unattended (left at door).

They're usually a little happier than a rideshare pax because you're bringing them a bit of instant gratification, they don't intend to offer a gratuity of any kind (they're somewhat happy about that), and if they do interact with you it's only for a brief few moments. Most say thank you.

Try it again and see. Next run might not be as bad.

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UTX1

· #7 · Jul 7, 2016

FAC said:
After the letter I got from support today, I'm done! They make uber look ethical!

As my dad would say, you get your good judgement from your bad. $10/hr to haul their packages and refusal to pay me when I not only am told to stay late, but they added a delivery requiring me to return to warehouse! Grrrr!

Maybe flex is great for others not for me.

Without any identifiable details please, in a nutshell what did support tell you ?
I knew they weren't going to pay 6 hours for a 4 hr block, but I'm curious how
they broke the news. What was the scope of their bu;lsh't this time ?

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UTX1

· #10 · Jul 8, 2016

flexology said:
...The "job" of a Flex driver is not to deliver packages.
The "job" of a Flex driver is (1) to pick up more blocks...

In our heart of hearts, this is the essence of self-employment, at least when it comes to this gig.
I'm getting to where I can't give much more than scan pkg, deliver pkg, right address ? yep.
I'll get the packages there and all that jazz. yada yada.

...I really don't care about (2), (3) and (4) if there is that many...

More blocks, please

. (I did say please, okay ?)

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UTX1

· #17 · Jul 8, 2016

FAC said:
Flex just isn't my thing. Especially how I was treated by support.
Uber support leaves a lot to be desired but eventually they make it right.
Even if it takes 5-6 emails. I just don't see Flex making it right.
Don't want to work for a company that treats their workers so indifferently.

I wish you all the best and hope you all are successful driving Flex. It's just not the gig for me.

Wow ! you sound just like me ! I say this stuff just about everyday of my life, and worse !
I still go up there just about everyday, sometimes twice a day and take their money.
I never call support - they're morons. I can't stand them !

And yes, sometimes Uber is a walk in the park compared to the crap Amazon pulls.
I still take their money, I don't listen to anything they tell me. I might nod my head
if someone's talking in my direction, but I don't hear any of it. It's all noise.

You're probably a nice lady and a thoughtful person and they could have been more thoughtful
as well and given you a bit better guidance since you were new and first time out and all.
Next time I see someone new at the warehouse, I'll think about you. Maybe pass 'em a few quick pointers.
I wish you the best too, FAC

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UTX1

· #23 · Jul 8, 2016

I have an idea.....

(remember how Lucy would say this to Ethel on I Love Lucy
just before the zany antics would commence ?)

What if you gave it another shot, FAC and they gave you just a few packages,
something that would take say about 2 hours to complete and get paid a 4hr block?
Would that be enough to make it "even", at least in your position and the way
this has made you feel about the process and the gig ? If you think that might do the trick,
just schedule another block, preferably on a late afternoon or early evening route,
be the last one in line or close to it and see if your route isn't a bit less burdensome.

Just an idea, mind you. You have to be okay with it in order for it to be okay, you know ?

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UTX1

· #25 · Jul 8, 2016

FAC said:
I'm sincerely thankful to all you guys for your time and encouragment to help out a stranger. You guys rock. I'll give it another try and let you know how it goes!

'Atta Gal ! I was hoping you'd at least think about it.

Guys, our work is done here. Let's go pester the sh;t outta somebody else .

Somewhere out there it's a sad story. Midget driving Uber is about to give up !
He's tired of sitting on phonebooks all day for 85c/mile. We have to try and save the day......
(queue superhero music)

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