Key Takeaways
- Gig Economy Deliveries: Freelancers use apps to select delivery jobs, offering flexibility and income opportunities.
- Popular Services: Uber Connect, Amazon Flex, Roadie, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Veho, Dispatch.
- Selecting a Service: Consider delivery speed, item types, tracking options, and cost.
- Future Trends: Growth in e-commerce supports the continued demand for gig-based delivery services.
- What Are Gig Economy-Based Delivery Services?
- List of Gig Economy-Based Package Delivery Services
- How to Choose the Right Delivery Service
- Becoming a Delivery Driver for These Services
- Advantages and Challenges of Gig Economy Deliveries
- The Future of Gig Economy Delivery Services
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Wrapping Up
What Are Gig Economy-Based Delivery Services?
Gig economy-based delivery services allow freelance drivers to use apps for picking up package delivery jobs. These services offer flexibility in choosing deliveries and cater to a wide range of items.
Their popularity has grown with the rise of e-commerce, especially since the pandemic.
List of Gig Economy-Based Package Delivery Services
Now that you’re familiar with the nature of gig economy-based delivery services, let’s explore some companies supporting this work model:
- Uber Connect
- Amazon Flex
- Roadie
- UPS
- FedEx
- DHL
- Veho
- Dispatch
1. Uber Connect
- On-demand package delivery
- No postage, contactless
- Accessible in thousands of cities
2. Amazon Flex
- Deliver Amazon products
- Simple, user-friendly app
- Flexible hours, $18-25 hourly
3. Roadie
- Nationwide same-day delivery
- Cost-effective, batch delivery
- Personal and business solutions
4. UPS
- Competitive pay, flexible hours
- Diverse delivery options
- Quick, reliable application process
5. FedEx
- Guaranteed hours, insurance benefits
- Ship items up to 150 pounds
- Seamless app and web experience
6. DHL
- International and domestic shipping
- Reliable tracking, ample jobs
- Great work environment, tracking
7. Veho
- Live support, easy pickups
- Same-day, next-day delivery
- Fast registration, in-advance earnings
8. Dispatch
- Health insurance for drivers
- Serves various industries
- Intuitive, integrable platform
How to Choose the Right Delivery Service
When selecting a delivery service to complete your shipment, keep the following tips in mind:
1. Delivery Speed
Is the service able to satisfy the urgency of your delivery needs? Does it offer wide enough time slots for picking up and dropping off shipments? Is there an overnight shipping or next-day delivery option? This helps you determine if the service suits your schedule.
2. Product Type and Size
What sort of items does the service support delivery of? Is your product type included? Are there limitations on the dimensions of packages to be shipped? Answering these questions guarantees smooth shipping.
3. Insurance and Tracking
Does the service provide insurance in case of damage, delays, or loss? Is tracking your order (updated or real-time) possible? Does it provide proof of delivery? Such operation aspects and shipping software features ensure a reliable shipping experience.
4. Cost
Does the service propose prices in line with the industry’s average? You don’t want to pay too low for a company with poor performance or get overcharged for a delivery experience that offers nothing special.
Becoming a Delivery Driver for These Services
If you’re looking into package delivery gigs, knowing the job requirements is necessary to determine whether or not delivery is the right route for you.
Luckily, becoming a gig-based delivery driver for courier services like the ones we listed above isn’t a complicated process.
The first step is the same across all parcel shipping companies; you must sign up on their platform with a driver’s account. Some services have drivers use a dedicated tab in the same app that customers use. Other companies require drivers to use separate apps from customers.
To successfully sign up and start taking gigs, most companies require drivers to fulfill some or all of the following conditions:
- Be of legal age (18 or 21) or older than a certain age (for example, 23 years old to drive for Dispatch)
- Own a fair-condition vehicle or have access to one (some companies have a limit for the manufacturing year)
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Have a smartphone to
- Have a social security number or be allowed to work in the United States
- Have a working knowledge of English
- Have a clean enough driving record
- Pass a background check and ID verification
Advantages and Challenges of Gig Economy Deliveries
Whether you’re a driver or a customer, gig-based package shipping comes with a set of pros and cons you should be aware of.
From a customer’s view, the biggest advantage of gig economy deliveries is convenience. Customers nowadays can ship just about any item in short time frames.
There’s no longer a need to wait for several days or even a few weeks for a pickup. Companies strive to boost their delivery speed, leading to quick same-day, next-day, and overnight shipping.
The increasing number of delivery services also means that prices remain reasonable to keep up with the competition. If you’re a business owner or you live somewhere far from the city, this can help you achieve better cost-effectiveness.
The downside for customers is dealing with unreliable services. This may be due to poor management or choosing a courier with too low costs. Either way, the lack of commitment of gig workers plays a huge role in such issues.
From a driver’s view, package shipping gigs are highly flexible opportunities to make money.
They can work according to their preferred hours and choose delivery routes that suit their location. They also receive fair shipping rates and can even set custom shipping rates.
They can also sign up for multiple companies at the same time, maximizing their earning potential. It’s also a plus that payments are usually on time, be it on delivery, within a few days, weekly, and so on.
The Future of Gig Economy Delivery Services
The gig economy model across parcel delivery companies is here to stay.
Not only are the largest courier companies embracing it more every day, but the demand isn’t slowing down.
For one, e-commerce is growing by the minute, which is the number one contributor to the spread of delivery services. Such businesses depend and thrive on the availability of delivery services.
The convenience for customers and the flexibility/profitability for drivers also make for a secure future for gig-based delivery services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Top 3 Package Delivery Companies?
The three biggest package delivery companies in the USA are FedEx, UPS, and DHL Group.
What is the Cheapest Way to Ship a Package?
Shipping distance, delivery speed, item size, and item weight determine your shipping costs. USPS, UPS, and FedEx generally offer the least expensive local and international delivery services.
Wrapping Up
The gig-based model has become a key aspect of package delivery services.
From shipping start-ups to ride-share companies to traditional postal companies to established delivery businesses, everyone is recognizing the value of integrating gig workers into the industry.
If you’re looking for a way to make extra money or trying to find the right solution for your delivery needs, any of the services we listed today can be a reliable option.
