Driving is fun. Where else can so much action and adventure occur while sitting in the same spot? The feeling of freedom and movement is like catching a wave to a new destination each time. There are a multitude of reasons why driving is fun, and all of them noteworthy.
Driving can also have a downside or two, but it doesn’t happen often. This has more to do with deliveries than driving itself. Downsides aren’t worrisome when there’s a good back up plan.
The destination is the focal point of a journey. Enjoying the journey is important. What happens when the destination is changed, mid journey? Let’s take a look at this, as it applies to deliveries.
Catching a Wave
A change in destination, while on the way there, is unexpected. When driving with an in house crew, a destination change typically happens before the delivery leaves the merchant.
The driver is aware of the new destination, before beginning the journey. The new drop off location, is updated with the dispatch system that is being used by the merchant.
Driving with a delivery app makes this process different. There are several reasons why a destination change happens in a delivery app. Some of these are easily fixed, while others are more time consuming. At times, a destination change is simply the place next door. Let’s take a look at an example.
New Destination
The courier has just picked up the cargo from the merchant. The drop off location makes contact, there is a destination change to the place next door. The driver still has the exact location, and the drop off is within the acceptable range of the GPS tracker in the app. Destination change done, delivery complete, on to the next.
A destination change that is more than a quarter of a mile away from the original destination, will not be complete, until the driver is within the acceptable GPS range. The fix on this scenario is time consuming either way the driver chooses to proceed:
- Drive it out. If the new destination is within a couple of miles of the original, drive to the point marked in the app, and clear the delivery. Then deliver to the new location. No need to contact support or update any info in the app. (driver discretion advised)
- Change destination in the app. This requires the delivery recipient to update the new location with the app. (Preferred method for route changes that exceed 3 miles but are no greater than 5 miles.)
- The greater than 5 rule. Any route change (after the cargo is picked up) that exceeds 5 miles, needs to go through the app, for several good reasons. An updated contract price, and the safety of the driver’s known location, top among these. This can lead to the delivery being canceled, or reassigned. Most delivery apps will have a process to complete. This process is important for the courier’s numbers.
More points
There are times a destination will get changed just after the driver accepts the offer, and before the cargo is picked up. If the change is made in app, the offer is adjusted by the app to reflect the new guaranteed payout. If the request is sent by the drop off, without changing it in app, driver discretion is warranted. It is always possible to drop the run.
It’s important to keep three priorities in mind when a courier faces a destination change. Safety, pay, and the time involved. An offer accepted at ten dollars for five miles, isn’t the same as ten dollars for ten miles. There is more invested in ten miles than five miles, driver discretion is important.
Newer drivers that have less experience will benefit by keeping all aspects of the delivery in the app. Seasoned couriers will have a developed sense on how to proceed, when the destination is changed. Whether catching a wave to a new destination, or enjoying some action adventure, while sitting in the same spot. Stay safe out there!
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