Last mile delivery - what's it really like

TY · ‎03-10-2010

Just an interesting article about what last mile delivery is really like when it's Amazon. The job sounds very Dickensian with drivers being contractors with no uniforms or photo IDs and using their own vehicles.

I wouldn't be surprised if this kind of work is also what other internet sellers and shipping companies are or will be doing. So food for thought when you need that package really fast or someone comes to your door with a package and the vehicle is unmarked and the person isn't wearing a uniform of any kind.

Gizmodo via the Business of Fashion website:

https://gizmodo.com/amazons-last-mile-1820451224

Amazon's Last Mile

Goldengate8361 · ‎01-27-2014

This article tries very hard to write a “workers abused” kind of story——but I’m not convinced--at all. The writing is very sophomoric. Amazon is a great example of what’s great about our economy and, yes, it creates many thousands of jobs. No one should feel guilty for the delivery of their Amazon packages.

Plaid Pants2 · ‎03-14-2015

Wow! What an eye-opener!

We have become a nation that has become addicted to having stuff now, like a drug, and Amazon is the drug supplier.

People must have their item in a split nanosecond after purchasing it.

We have lost patience in waiting for something to arrive.

I remember back in the late '70's seeing commercials for K-Tel (remember them?) music compilations, and the voice-over would say, "Please allow 4 - 6 weeks for delivery".

Can you imagine if a company did that today?

People complain when their package is one day latThey say that they "stalk their packages like a hawk".

They are acting like junkies going through drug withdrawal.

Me?

I'm never that antsy to get my packages.

It'll get to me when it gets to me.

I don't worry about it.

Yup, we have become a nation of junkies, where the drug is "free overnight shipping".

And when we don't get it in that time-frame, we start acting and behaving just like a junkie going through drug withdrawals.

And Amazon is the drug supplier.

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

I don't know if this is what we are talking about (don't understand exactly). But if it's about having packages delivered via on-line shopping versus 'brick and mortar' stores, then I can tell you were it not for internet ordering I couldn't run my life.

Due to a very bad back it is impossible for me to walk around a store and shop. i'm not in a wheelchair (thank goodness). However, it is easier for me to order on the internet. I used to love walking around the stores (for hours, alone, lost in my own world, soaking up the sights and sounds of shoppers. Just can't do it anymore.

I know there are still people who like to shop in person (wish I could) and I hope there will always be places they can go. I have a good friend that she and her friend shop (mostly at Kohls) every Saturday. She doesn't do any internet shopping. Another friend does the same thing all week long, no ordering from the internet.

Maybe it's something you must get used to. All three of my daughters and their friends shop on line, for everything. I pretty much do too.

Hopefully, things will continue where peope can do both.

I hope I didn't misunderstand the subject, if I did, I do apologize.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

I didn't read the article, I don't click on links but I'm sure the gist of it is big business treats little people like slaves and abuses them yada yada yada.

I don't believe it, I don't care. The fact is that as brick&mortar stores die out and as shoppers embrace online shopping; a new avenue for employment has opened up. People are able to use their own vehicles to make money. Many, if not most, of my Amazon deliveries come via independant drivers. I have laundry service and a local service that delivers meals from local restaurants via independant drivers. These are people who either supplement their incomes by delivering or it's their principal income and they like it because they determine their own ours. I think it's good for the companies, good for the drivers and good for the customers.

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@chrystaltree wrote:
I didn't read the article, I don't click on links but I'm sure the gist of it is big business treats little people like slaves and abuses them yada yada yada.

I don't believe it, I don't care. The fact is that as brick&mortar stores die out and as shoppers embrace online shopping; a new avenue for employment has opened up. People are able to use their own vehicles to make money. Many, if not most, of my Amazon deliveries come via independant drivers. I have laundry service and a local service that delivers meals from local restaurants via independant drivers. These are people who either supplement their incomes by delivering or it's their principal income and they like it because they determine their own ours. I think it's good for the companies, good for the drivers and good for the customers.

ITA. When I occasionally get a Sunday delivery from Amazon (not often) I know it has to be by contracted private driver, though I never see them, as we are rural.

I’m used to the concept because - hello, Uber/Lyft using the drivers’ own cars, not new, and also because when living in LA I spent a good amount of $$ using the multiple food delivery services. There were multiple services because the demand is there, as well as the opportunity to earn money.

This is money for college students, SAHM, and the retired, among others. It’s a way for people who can’t work M-F 9-5, 40 hrs wk, to earn money. None of these people are forced to sign up for these jobs; none of them are beaten severely about the head and shoulders for “not being good enough.” It’s their choice. For many of them, it’s a perfect solution and they love it.

I too don’t believe all these “slave labor” stories.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

LoveMyBaby · ‎03-09-2010

@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
Wow! What an eye-opener!

We have become a nation that has become addicted to having stuff now, like a drug, and Amazon is the drug supplier.

People must have their item in a split nanosecond after purchasing it.

We have lost patience in waiting for something to arrive.

I remember back in the late '70's seeing commercials for K-Tel (remember them?) music compilations, and the voice-over would say, "Please allow 4 - 6 weeks for delivery".

Can you imagine if a company did that today?

People complain when their package is one day latThey say that they "stalk their packages like a hawk".

They are acting like junkies going through drug withdrawal.

Me?

I'm never that antsy to get my packages.

It'll get to me when it gets to me.

I don't worry about it.

Yup, we have become a nation of junkies, where the drug is "free overnight shipping".

And when we don't get it in that time-frame, we start acting and behaving just like a junkie going through drug withdrawals.

And Amazon is the drug supplier.

@Plaid Pants2

😔Hate to admit it, but I do stalk my packages. If the Q shipped as quick as Zappo's, Amazon, Walmart, Kmart, Target, eBay, etc I would probably shop more with them. Q's slow shipping and handling and shipping charges, I order from them, what I can't get elsewhere. I do agree with what you said, we (I) have come to expect the instant gratification of fast shipping. I do like that it is creating more jobs though, because of it. 👍🏼 That's a good thing.

⚓️