Unlike other delivery services, Roadie has a unique concept. It has the ‘as you go’ vibe, which means you do not have to go out of your way to schedule your trip. As long as you are driving, you can deliver something to someone along the way.
If you have a car and would like to defray the cost of gas, why not consider joining Roadie? But before you join, you must understand what you will be doing. Most importantly, you should know if the cost of delivering the package is worth the trouble.
In this guide, we help you uncover the truth behind Roadie and if it is a worthwhile opportunity or not.
What is Roadie?
Roadie is a subsidiary company of UPS that offers same-day delivery services. The platform is a crowdsourced logistics service that connects people and orders. The platform connects orders and drivers traveling in the same direction.
This way, the deliveries are fast, same-day and flexible. Roadie allows delivery for all sorts of things, from surfboards to cupcakes. Provided a Roadie driver is traveling in the right direction; customers can order anything.
Roadie handles urgent and scheduled deliveries. Its website began operations in 2014 but launched its mobile app in 2015. If you own a car and travel somewhere, Roadie lets you earn some money by delivering some packages along the way.
When you sign up, Roadie tries to find deliveries along your route.
How does Roadie work?
Roadie works in a simple way; people place orders and include their destinations on the platform. Roadie then informs the drivers of these orders. Drivers then find the packages along their path and collect them for delivery.
The drivers offer same-day delivery services as they head towards their destinations. You can carry anything, from a lost bag at the airport to cupcakes from a customer’s favorite bakery. Roadie gets a commission of the delivery fees, and the driver gets the rest of the cash.
Once the driver delivers the package, both the driver and customer can rate each other. However, Roadie drivers need to maintain high ratings to continue making deliveries.
Once you meet all the requirements and qualify for a driver, you proceed to the training session. The training involves completing a tutorial that teaches you how to become a Roadie driver.
After the training, you can start making deliveries. You can filter your orders by driving distance, location, or package size. In short, you get to pick up deliveries that only match your schedule, capacity, and size.
The delivery gigs vary from just a few miles to long distances, with some as far as 500 miles. You can deliver furniture, plants, boxes and lost luggage. You can also collect orders from Home Depot, Walmart, United Airlines, nurseries, furniture stores, and anything in between.
Roadie requirements, how do you sign up?
Signing up to be a Roadie driver is simple. You only need to fulfill the following requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- You must pass a background check
- A valid social security number
- Most importantly, you must have a car
- You must also have valid automobile insurance that meets state guidelines
- To maintain the status of a driver at Roadie, you must maintain a 4-star rating minimum
To sign up to become a Roadie driver, you can start by downloading the Roadie app for Android or Roadie App for iOS. Alternatively, you can use the Roadie Website.
When signing up, you provide:
- Your full name
- SSN and DoB
- Address
- Your driver’s license
- Your consent for a background check
- Bank account details for payment
- A headshot photo
You agree to Roadie terms and conditions when everything is okay and begin delivering. These terms specify what senders cannot send and what you, as the driver, can refuse to deliver.
Some of the prohibited deliveries include:
- Animals
- Cremated remains
- Precious stones
- Hazardous materials
- Illegal substances
However, with special permission and prior disclosure from the customer, you can deliver:
- Cigarettes
- Firearms
- Prescription drugs
- Overweight items
- Some hazardous materials
How to make money with Roadie
Making money with Roadie is simple. After signing up, you go through the orders and select the ones you will deliver. After that, you start your journey and complete deliveries. The Roadie app helps its drivers navigate to the order drop-off point.
Drivers also get step-by-step instructions on how to complete their deliveries. Once the customer signs their order, drivers receive direct payment into their Roadie accounts.
How much do Roadie drivers make?
Depending on where you will be driving, you can earn up to a few hundred dollars. Roadie claims that their drivers can earn up to $60 for their local deliveries. However, most orders have a $20 limit.
Drivers can earn $15 per trip, but the website does not specify how long a typical delivery is.
Pros and Cons of Using Roadie
Now that you know what Roadie is, how it works and how you can earn money, the next step is to determine the pros and cons of using the platform.
Pros
1. It is easy to use
Roadie is simple to use. All you need is a car and be traveling in the right direction. From there, you just pick up the order, take a picture when picking up the package and deliver it to the required destination: no skills, no hassle, nothing. In short, there are minimal barriers to entry, which means you can join anytime.
2. It is convenient
So far, you can tell that Roadie is a convenient way to earn some extra cash. There are no designated drop-offs or pick-up stations. You deliver packages whose address is along your path. You never have to go out of your way to deliver packages to people’s homes. Besides, the wait is worth the cash you get to pay for gas.
Since you are already traveling, the money you earn is out of the convenience of the service.
3. There is a chance to earn good pay
Roadie drivers earn anything between $8 and $650. Depending on where you are going and the size of the package, these delivery gigs can be lucrative. Local deliveries can fetch up to $20.
In addition, you can be selective of the gigs you take. Most importantly, you should set your prices to cater to minimum wages and the cost of gas.
4. Long-distance deliveries
Roadie stands out from other delivery apps by posting long-distance deliveries. These earn the most money, and you can even earn enough to fund your trip.
You can earn as much as $650 from these long-distance deliveries. For instance, when delivering a package from LA to New Orleans, you can make up to $900 for your service.
5. You can maximize earnings
As mentioned before, you can bundle your deliveries to maximize your earnings. If there is more than one delivery in your direction, you can deliver them all.
Besides, drivers who provide excellent service can receive additional tips from their customers. The good news is that Roadie drivers get to keep 100% of their tips.
The best way to enjoy the advantages above is to deliver on the way. However, if you consider it a delivery job, it is not ideal. Now, let us consider some drawbacks to joining Roadie.
Cons
1. No drop-offs
The platform may be convenient, but drivers cannot drop parcels and keep going. The customer has to sign for the package. Therefore, drivers have to wait for the customers. Otherwise, they have to return the package and go without any compensation.
2. Limited gigs
Depending on your location, you can go for days without new gigs. If you want to deliver full-time, you better deliver with other apps.
3. Long wait times
Unlike other delivery apps like Postmates, Roadie includes quite a long wait time. Once the driver receives the order details, they must wait for Roadie to approve the delivery. Sometimes, this takes so much time that it could inconvenience the driver.
And sometimes, even after waiting, Roadie gives the gig to ‘someone better.’
4. No one pays for your car expenses
Including deliveries in your trip, especially heavy things, result in increased expenses. No one pays for that, whether it is wear and tear, car maintenance, mileage, or gas. You were going to be traveling anyway.
As a result, the delivery seems pointless when trying to earn extra cash. However, you can write them off on your taxes.
5. No insurance coverage
Other delivery apps include an insurance cover for the products delivered. However, Roadie does not have a complimentary insurance cover. However, members receive up to a $360 discount.
6. Inconsistent earnings
Drivers have no guarantee that they will receive an order to deliver every time they travel. Therefore, it becomes hard to budget for the funds you earn from the gig.
Alternatives to Roadie
If you want a more stable delivery job, then you can consider other delivery companies. However, these alternatives do not offer on-the-way delivery like Roadie. These include:
- Grabr
Unlike Roadie, Grabr offers delivery services to people from long distances. Instead of picking up the order, the drivers have to shop for this stuff. Usually, the delivery service caters to people who need something from another city or country. Drivers buy and update the shopper before meeting up and receiving payment.
- GoShare
Another good alternative to Roadie is GoShare. It focuses on delivering large items like furniture and home appliances. Therefore, the vehicles on the platform have to be trucks. In short, GoShare connects people who need help moving.
- Bellhop
Bellhop is like Roadie. Drivers earn money by transporting stuff for customers. However, it connects people who need help relocating. So, truck drivers can make money by moving anything, from a small package to larger items.
FAQs
Do Roadie drivers get tips?
Yes, customer tipping is acceptable for Roadie drivers. They also get to keep 100% of their tips. However, it is illegal to solicit a tip from the customer.
When does Roadie pay?
Roadie drivers receive their payment every Tuesday. The funds will then reflect in the driver’s bank account in 1-3 business days. Members of Chase Bank can, however, cash their pay immediately.
Does Roadie pay for gas?
Not technically. Roadie calculates the total price of delivery based on mileage and size. So, Roadie believes that its pricing is an excellent way to recoup some gas money.
Is Roadie in my area?
Roadie is available in the 50 states. Whether traveling to a big city, or a small town, you can use Roadie. However, the service is more common in populated areas.
Does Roadie run a background check?
Before becoming a driver at Roadie, you have to pass their background check. You consent to the check when you are signing up. However, the search is not as comprehensive as you would imagine.
It takes about 10 minutes to a half-hour to complete. Some of the details they check include:
- Driving records
- Sex offenders
- Global watch list
- National search
- SSN trace
How much does Roadie pay per mile?
Unfortunately, Roadie does not pay per mile. The distance is only a factor considered when calculating the total cost of the delivery.
Is Roadie legit?
Yes, Roadie is a legit crowdsourced delivery service. You can get real jobs and get paid. The best part is choosing the deliveries to make and which ones to reject.
In the end, Roadie is an excellent opportunity for drivers to earn some extra money. However, the job is only suitable if you are already traveling in the same direction. It is also better when you are planning a long road trip. The downside to using the app is that you may have to wait for even 4 days to receive approval on a delivery.
However, if you would like to earn some extra money and are willing to deliver packages at minimal inconvenience, Roadie is the place to be. However, you cannot make the job your full-time gig. Remember, there might be trips you make without any deliveries. You can also check other business opportunities to see the ones that work best for you.
