Amazon Flex

#1

Post by adrow » Tue, Sep 29, 2015, 11:53 AM UTC

Amazon Flex
flex.amazon.com

Re: Amazon Flex

#2

Post by notjustanymike » Tue, Sep 29, 2015, 12:51 PM UTC

Coming soon to Baltimore! Good luck with that fellas!

Re: Amazon Flex

#3

Post by bkanber » Tue, Sep 29, 2015, 12:53 PM UTC

Great idea on Amazon's part; they're already set up to handle the logistics for this kind of last-mile delivery stuff.

Of course, one could argue that moves like this and pushing us towards the gig economy are a net negative for our future economy. They seem to be compensating fairly (for now?) at least.

Re: Amazon Flex

#4

Post by jblok » Tue, Sep 29, 2015, 12:53 PM UTC

So I imagine the question every self employed person with a car will be asking themselves right now is this: will I make more money driving for Uber or driving for Amazon?

Re: Amazon Flex

#5

Post by stanislavb » Tue, Sep 29, 2015, 12:57 PM UTC

jblok wrote: post #4

So I imagine the question every self employed person with a car will be asking themselves right now is this: will I make more money driving for Uber or driving for Amazon?

Well, I presume Amazon Flex would have lower acceptance criteria than Uber. Just because of the different nature of services. For example, if you have an old car, you may not be suitable for Uber.

Re: Amazon Flex

#6

Post by netcraft » Tue, Sep 29, 2015, 12:57 PM UTC

I wonder why the range of hourly rates? Start out at 18 and move up to 25 with experience?

Re: Amazon Flex

#7

Post by arethuza » Tue, Sep 29, 2015, 12:57 PM UTC

jblok wrote: post #4

So I imagine the question every self employed person with a car will be asking themselves right now is this: will I make more money driving for Uber or driving for Amazon?

Somebody needs to work out how you drop of packages for Amazon while driving passengers around for Uber.

Actually - not completely crazy - how willing would you be as a passenger to take a few detours to get a saving on your taxi bill?

Re: Amazon Flex

#8

Post by suvelx » Tue, Sep 29, 2015, 12:58 PM UTC

I've got a suspicion that Amazon has been trialling/building this in the UK since their purchase of Yodel, perhaps earlier. A number of times some bloke in a car has turned up and delivered me a package. No uniform, no branding. Just a phone running Amazon software.

I can't say it's the greatest experience.

Re: Amazon Flex

#9

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Sep 29, 2015, 12:58 PM UTC

netcraft wrote: post #6

I wonder why the range of hourly rates? Start out at 18 and move up to 25 with experience?

[deleted]

Re: Amazon Flex

#10

Post by vkjv » Tue, Sep 29, 2015, 12:58 PM UTC

notjustanymike wrote: post #2

Coming soon to Baltimore! Good luck with that fellas!

I have lived in Baltimore my entire life and this comment is an enigma. I assume this is some type of jab at crime, but IMHO, Baltimore is perfect for this kind of operation. To name a few reasons:

* Urban environment. Lots of deliveries in a short period of time.

* Amazon DH is conveniently located near I-95 for easy access to the city as well as I-695 and surrounding suburbia.

* Traffic actually isn't that bad compared with other urban areas.