Is a traditional delivery challenge a new tipping standard?
It may not be official but it is certainly a welcome change. Every courier has seen the instructions at least once. Leave at the door. In fact, it is such a common delivery condition now, it’s become unusual to see anything different. Furthermore, it’s a quick delivery completion. What courier doesn’t like a quick expedited drop-off? The faster the completion, the faster the courier can get to the next delivery.
With this in mind, the leave at the door delivery, saves time. Experienced couriers are aware of the time it saves. Especially couriers that were running deliveries before the pandemic. Indeed, before the pandemic changed almost everything, the delivery process was not so streamlined. There was usually only one way to complete a delivery. Handing it to the delivery customer.
This was the traditional way to do things. Furthermore, it was a challenge. Not everyone answers the door. That may sound strange. However it’s true. Which means the traditional delivery challenge is about the delivery completion. Similarly this article, is an idea or two, that can help with this new return to tradition. The next step is about the timing of the delivery. This is important even if there are only clues.
The Traditional Delivery Challenge
The traditional delivery challenge is all about completing the delivery. It’s true this article is for the hot fresh food delivery. However, there are some helpful tips for all couriers. Once upon a time, the only way to complete a delivery, was to meet the delivery customer at the door. From there the hand off takes place. Most of the time this went as planned.
Other times not so much. Most couriers anticipate their expected presence at the door. After all, we’re carrying dinner. This was especially true before the changes initiated by the pandemic. In fact, the crew courier was particularly affected because they are fresh from the oven couriers. They can have the delivery there in half the quoted time. This was definitely fast. However, there was an unexpected drawback with that delivery speed.
You guessed it. The delivery customer was not watching for the delivery driver. It was too early. When the driver arrived ten minutes or so earlier than expected, it was almost impossible to get the customer to the door. Perhaps they had on headphones. (Happens frequently.) Or they were watching a video with the volume up. In some cases, they had carefully budgeted their spare time before the delivery.
A New Tipping Standard
Carefully budgeted spare time is only available once. Therefore it is almost non-negotiable. (Like a bathroom break before the food arrives.) Additionally it is easy to see how a delivery customer can be expecting a delivery. But they do not show up at the door. For an extended period of time. A really long time. A long long time.
This is the traditional delivery challenge. It is the unexpected front door work that sometimes takes place. In today’s world the hot fresh food delivery can come from many places. Therefore, the courier using a delivery app will be on time and not way ahead of time. However, there will still be times the courier will wait at the door. Sometimes it’s a broken doorbell.
Pro tip: Always listen closely for the sound of the doorbell when pushing the button.
This is when knocking might be necessary. There is no set time to wait in between attempts. Waiting at the door, and trying to make contact, is an in the moment situation. This is another reason why establishing contact early in the delivery is important. As well as helpful when dealing with the traditional delivery challenge. Stay safe out there.
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