Virtual Dispatch

Deliveries that happen back to back, with little or no space between, are bread and butter for the courier! Furthermore the longer this can continue in a shift, the better.

It is possible for the courier to find a flow, in this scenario, that leads to prosperity. The flow can be ended by the shift’s end, or fuel stops, or stops of any kind while that flow is on. The courier must be on point. Time is money.

With this being said, it stands to reason that anything that slows the rate of increase should be avoided. When possible. Even if it’s a need for the live agent showstopper! 😳 Whoa, hold on there! I thought the live agent was our friend! What gives?

Live Agent

It takes too long! We can’t be sitting when there’s cargo to run!

Ok, the time it takes to get the live agent is excessive. Furthermore, the courier is on a live delivery, and every scrap of time is priceless. Best to cancel the whole darn thing, and try again on the next one. Disposal is easier than dealing. 😉

It is true that canceling the offer is quick. Not only quick, but also easy. It has the courier available for another offer almost immediately. Leaving that problem delivery, to go back in the queue. The courier is free to go. Enter the next courier for another waste of resources.

The scenario preceding this paragraph is not exaggerated. A quick cancellation of a delivery doesn’t necessarily remove it from the queue. It removes the courier from the delivery. Bad delivery becomes a future problem for another courier.

Enter the live agent who can remove the problem delivery, from the queue, completely. Both Uber and Doordash have excellent agent support, for drivers. In two days I’ve personally dealt with Uber support on three different botched deliveries. Each time I was at least the fourth or fifth courier to show up for the vanished delivery.

Better Than Before

Rather than cancel my involvement, I chose to contact the live agent and have the order canceled from the queue. It took less than ten minutes each time. It is true that there was a wait on one occasion. However, each contact with support yielded 1/2 pay for the expended resources, on the failed delivery. Better than fair.

Finally, the takeaway is that it takes a small amount of time, to properly dispose of a vanished or botched delivery. Taking the extra time can be helpful for other couriers and benefit the current courier, in more ways than cold hard cash. Stay safe out there.