How to manage a failed delivery attempt in real time
A consistent courier goes through a lot of miles. This means a lot of delivery completions. In fact, it’s not uncommon for career couriers to have tens of thousands of delivery completions under their belts. And while that may seem like a large number, it’s just another day at the office for the professional courier. That’s the nature of the job. The pay is in the delivery completion. Additionally, for the solo courier using a delivery app that pay is all important.
With this in mind, it’s a little hard to imagine that a delivery can still fail in today’s world. Furthermore, this article isn’t a case for the delivery that never fails. Between delivery apps and modern day technology, the at home delivery has a fail safe or two, built in. Furthermore, there is always the “leave at the door option.” That particular preference makes a delivery drop-off almost guaranteed. But what happens if there is no door for leaving a delivery?
For example, a gated community. Without a gate code, the courier might be left out in the road. Furthermore, for the gated communities that have stop gaps for one car only admittance, a gate code is going to be the way. This is just one example. Moreover, once in the gated community an apartment number is necessary, if it’s an apartment complex. This is how a leave at the door delivery can fail. Because there is an abundance of doors, but no way of knowing which is the correct one.
How to Manage a Failed Delivery Attempt
The scenario mentioned above happens when there is no communication from the drop-off location. And that means zero communication. Although it doesn’t happen often, there are times when an address is incomplete. For example, the apartment number is missing. The missing gate code is important but most couriers find a workaround for that situation. If all else fails the delivery can be walked in.
However, no apartment number and no response from the delivery customer, means a failed delivery attempt might be next. At this point the courier has no place for the delivery drop-off. From here there are only a few options for the delivery completion. Once the courier exhausts every option for locating the delivery customer, in-app help becomes necessary. Crew couriers consult store management at this point.
The solo courier using a delivery app consults the delivery app live agent. This is a necessary step. It helps keep the courier’s ratings intact. Technically, the courier can cancel the delivery. However, there would be no pay. Additionally, the courier still has nowhere to leave the delivery. Especially if it’s after hours. Even the leasing office will be closed. Therefore, a solution from the support agent means the courier still receives the payout.
The Real Time Effort
The solution from the support agent will vary. After doing a search for the delivery customer, the support agent will confirm the customer is unreachable. If this happens, there will be instructions on what to do with the delivery pickup. If it’s an alcohol delivery it returns to the merchant. The courier will receive the original payout offer, plus return mileage.
The instructions from the support agent may also vary with hot fresh food delivery. The main office is the first possible location. I have even been instructed to leave it at the main gate. It’s not an unusual solution. The proof of delivery picture shows the location of the drop-off. And every attempt was made to reach the delivery customer.
In terms of a delivery completion, the courier went as far as possible. It’s rare to have a failed delivery attempt. However, it still happens. Furthermore, wrong delivery details, combined with no communication, are the usual reasons behind a failed delivery attempt. Stay safe out there.
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