The introduction of delivery apps has made a lot of things more convenient. You no longer need to leave your home to eat the food you are craving. You can eat restaurant food with no reservations.
Moreso, you do not need to spend time in traffic only for them to be out of what you want when you get there. All you need is to order via an app and wait for your delivery. The same goes for groceries and other household items.
There are several delivery companies you can depend on for your delivery needs, but Postmates stands out.
Over the years, Postmates has created many job opportunities for people. Drivers are in high demand, and the company is always looking for new drivers. If you’re interested in becoming a Postmates driver, keep reading to learn more about the company.
Postmates Overview
In 2011, Bastian Lehman, Sam Street, Sean Plaice, and Sean Mills founded Postmates. In the beginning, Postmates only offered services in San Francisco. Today, the company operates in over 300 cities.
The company specializes in on-demand delivery. They offer delivery from restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses providing take-out services. Customers can shop at any store they want and have the items delivered to them by Postmates drivers.
Postmates is a common household name in the food delivery industry in the US. The company has an app that you can use to get anything delivered to your doorstep.
You do not need to go to the restaurant. Postmates will bring the store to you. Accessing its services is easy; all you need is a phone and the Postmates app.
Postmates has two types of services: merchant deliveries and courier deliveries. Merchant deliveries happen when customers order from local businesses. This includes restaurants or grocery stores. On the other hand, courier deliveries occur when customers order from platforms like Amazon or Walmart.
What makes Postmates unique is offering a delivery guarantee for all orders. Besides, customers like the easy accessibility of the Postmates app. You can download the Postmates app on Android and iOS.
Once you accept an order, customers can track their orders in real-time and receive an estimated delivery time.
Note: Postmates is that they are not a rideshare company. They don’t offer rides but instead delivery services.
Postmates Driver Requirements
Postmates want to ensure that anyone who uses their services has a good experience. Thus, they have some requirements for drivers to meet before hiring them. This includes;
- Be at least 18 years old
- Own a valid US driver’s license
- Be a resident in a place that Postmates offer services
- Pass a background check
- Have a functioning bank account
- Have a social security number
- Have an Android or iOS phone that can support the Postmates Fleet app
Vehicle requirements
Postmates drivers can use any vehicle to deliver orders. Be it a truck, motorcycle, bike, or van. However, proof for car registration, license, and insurance is necessary. Also, the vehicle should be in its best condition.
People using motorcycles should ensure that they keep the delivery safe. The company assigns you a delivery job based on the type of vehicle you use. Hence, the more storage your car has, the more delivery jobs you will get. For instance, if you own a truck, you have the opportunity to deliver even large parcels.
Bank account requirements
Postmates drivers get their payments via direct deposit. This means that you must have a bank account to receive payments from the company. The bank account must be functional and in your name. Online payment methods like PayPal don’t work with Postmates.
Background Check
Postmates conducts background checks on all new applicants. The background check includes;
- Driving record
- Criminal history
- Drug tests
How to Make Money with Postmates
Postmates provides an excellent opportunity to earn extra cash. The company offers flexible hours and allows drivers to work as much or as little as they want. You can accept any orders. This gives drivers more control over their income.
The best way to maximize your profits with Postmates is to work in high-traffic areas. Therefore, you complete more orders within a short period and earn more money.
Also, the company has some incentives for specific delivery jobs. For instance, you can receive bonuses for completing many deliveries in a day. This often happens when there is high demand for delivery services.
You can also work during peak hours or days and make more money. This applies when you deliver food late at night, on weekends, and on holidays.
If you want to enjoy all these benefits, get started with Postmates today. How do I get started?
How do I get with Postmates?
Getting started with Postmates is easy and only takes a few minutes. The first step is to download the Postmates Fleet app, available on both Android and iOS devices.
Once you have the app, the first step is creating an account. It involves providing personal information. You provide your email address, name, and phone number.
There are also more questions about your vehicle and location. Postmates uses this information to determine the type of jobs you can handle. They will also request your driver’s license information and social security number. This information helps them run a quick background check.
In the meantime, you can take a profile photo and upload it to the account.
If you are a successful candidate, Postmates sends you a gift bag and a prepaid card that you can use to make purchases. You also receive a link to help track your package before you start delivering food.
Once you receive the package, activating your Postmate card should be the first thing you do. Having done this, you are now ready to start accepting delivery jobs.
However, you can operate without a prepaid card in some cities. You can start driving as soon as you receive your approval. After completing your first delivery, the company will send you a welcome kit.
Postmates Driver Pay
Postmates has a base pay system. It varies depending on the location of pick-up and drop-off points. The amount of money you make as a Postmates driver depends on several factors. These include the city you are working in and the type of orders you accept.
Some cities tend to pay more than others. For instance, drivers in New York City can make up to $25 per hour. This is relatively higher than the average pay, which is about $16-$20 per hour.
On the same note, some orders pay more than others. For example, a delivery from eBay pays more than an order from a local store. Deliveries for fragile parcels like high-end electronic appliances also pay more.
In addition to the base pay, Postmates drivers receive tips from your customers. This depends on the quality of service delivered.
In general, drivers earn around $15-$20 per hour. The company offers weekly direct deposits as the payment method. This means that you will receive your payments directly into your bank account.
How to Make More Than Average Using Postmates
As a Postmates’ driver, the amount you earn depends on the orders made by customers. You don’t need to settle for the bare minimum. Below are some tips to help you earn more than average when working as a Postmate’s driver.
Working during peak hours and days
Most people order food at lunchtime or during dinner hours. These also happen to be rush hour times in most cities. You can maximize your income by accepting deliveries at these times.
There are more orders during holidays and weekends when people are not working. This creates a high demand for delivery services. As such, you will get more orders and make more money if you are available to take up such orders.
1. Accept many orders at once
Batch or chained deliveries are a thoughtful way of making more money. This is where you take several orders at once and complete them in the shortest time possible. You can utilize this strategy by taking orders dropped off in the same route. This will result in more hourly earnings.
2. Be up for challenges
Postmates set up challenges for their drivers to complete for a reward. They place the advertisement on the fleet app. For instance, they can offer high pay for drivers who meets a certain number of deliveries in the mentioned duration. Participating in such challenges can earn you a good amount of money.
3. Being familiar with the city
Knowing the layout of the city helps you deliver orders quickly. You don’t have to waste time looking for directions. You also tend to take the shortest route possible, which allows you to save on gas.
In general, there are ways to make more money as a Postmates driver. However, you have to be willing to put in the extra effort.
Postmates Driver Review
Joining Postmates has its pros and cons. It is important to weigh both before deciding to join the service. Here is a list of both
Pros:
- Many income streams. With Postmates, you can be a driver and an independent contractor. This gives you more opportunities to make money.
- You can set your schedule- As with most gigs, you have the freedom to work when you want or need. You do not have to deal with an employer who dictates your schedule.
- It is flexible- You get to choose where and when you want to work.
- Reliable payment- Your payments are deposited directly into your bank account. You don’t have to worry about waiting for a check or cashing it in person.
- No experience is necessary. You can join Postmates without prior experience if you pass the background check.
Cons:
- It can be demanding- You may have to work long hours, especially during peak demand periods. This could be challenging if you already have another job.
- You are responsible for your vehicle maintenance and repairs. Postmates does not cover any damage or expenses incurred from vehicle repair. Every can damage, no matter how dire, you cater for it from your pocket.
- No organized work schedule. Since it is a freelancing gig, every driver works at their work plane. While this allows for flexibility, sometimes there are many drivers for a few orders.
Final Verdict
Postmates is a decent service to join. The pros outweigh the cons. However, you have to be ready to work hard. With a good plan, you can live a comfortable life working with Postmates. However, being a driver at Postmates should not be a full-time job. There are so many uncertainties associated with freelancing. Therefore, you need to have a backup plan in case of bad days or unforeseen circumstances.
FAQ
Should you join?
Postmates is always looking for more drivers. You should consider joining the service if you have a flexible schedule and make some extra cash.
Are there any notable praises?
Postmates started as a local service provider and now serves all US states. This is a notable achievement and speaks volumes about the quality of their service. Reliability and flexibility are two of the main reasons people love Postmates. They deliver orders within an hour. This means that you rely on their services for urgent deliveries.
Are there any notable criticisms?
Many customers have complained about the accuracy of deliveries and wait times. This has been a significant problem for food and necessity items. Drivers complained of the company failing to pay their total wages, with no explanation given for the discrepancy.
Any other things you need to know?
Recently, Postmates has merged with Uber, offering broader markets and service areas to its drivers. Uber is a reputable company and has been in the business for a long. It is famous for its quality rideshare and delivery services. Thus, we can expect even better service with this merger.
Are there better alternatives?
Postmates is one of the best delivery services in existence today. However, other companies like DoorDash and GrubHub offer similar opportunities with almost equal pay. If you are looking for alternatives, they would be good places to start. Additionally, you can check other good business opportunities and decide on which ones works best for you.
