Can you hear me knocking? Does the doorbell work? Maybe nobody’s home, now what? Ever stood at someone’s door and asked yourself all these questions? And then knocked harder because maybe they didn’t hear the first knock? Sometimes trying to get someone to answer their door can be quite the challenge. This dilemma is the main topic of knock again for the undeliverable delivery.
A typical delivery is usually pretty routine. Load the cargo, bring the cargo to the client location, offload the cargo to the client/customer. On to the next. Occasionally finding the location becomes an issue, and it’s normal, some places are just hidden very good. But what about finding the client within the location? Strangely, that’s a problem more often than not.
It’s one of those things that can be unexpected but very problematic depending on the app one is using for that delivery. It’s important to note, hot fresh food deliveries changed during the pandemic. The process for handling a delivery that was undeliverable was different pre pandemic, and often included returning the hot fresh food to the merchant.
Undeliverable
Undeliverable delivery. That was a big deal before the pandemic, especially if the cargo had to be returned to the merchant. Many times the cause would be no customer contact at location. The idea of leaving hot fresh food unattended was unprofessional, and a last resort that was rarely used.
There could be a list of reasons why the customer was unavailable, maybe the game was on and the volume was up, and no one heard the doorbell. Maybe the doorbell doesn’t work, and so forth. Now the texting begins, and the clock is ticking. After an 8 minute stretch that lasts an hour, the phone calls start, and of course it goes to voicemail.
Useful side effect. As the pandemic began and deliveries became fundamental, it also became necessary to create a no contact method of delivery. Each app has a photo verification tool, to provide the customer with a picture of the cargo location upon delivery. The customer can then retrieve their order without making contact and the driver is already half way to the next.
This new model of deliveries had the useful side effect of eliminating that frustrating trip back to the merchant with an undeliverable delivery. And the customer could finish watching that outstanding play by their favorite team, safe in the knowledge that a picture of the delivery would signal dinnertime.
Covering the basics. As with any system, problems do occur from time to time. Sometimes no one shows at the door, despite every effort at contact. The doordash app has a system for the undeliverable delivery that includes all of the steps listed earlier in this write up. It has a timer that starts once the delivery completion screen is toggled. Complete each step, and wait, once the timer reaches zero, further instructions will be given through the app.
The process is similar across apps, allowing the driver to make the delivery without the added step of customer contact. But only if it’s a ‘no contact’ delivery. Most apps still carry this as the default delivery instruction, which creates the camera tool verification process. If it’s marked as a normal delivery, (meaning hand it to the customer) there is no camera verification through the app.
Proof
Make your own proof. This is where it gets tricky, and here is why: I make the pickup and start the run, I arrive at the location. I am unable to get anyone to the door and this delivery is marked normal, no camera verification. After following all the steps for contact, (and using my own techniques) the app directs me to return the cargo to the merchant. At the merchant I snap my own little pic for evidence.
One o clock in the morning the phone rings and it’s dash support wondering where that order went. I referred the agent to the app and the steps that I completed, which are a matter of record in the app, I also sent the picture of the returned cargo, at the merchant. Make your own proof, it comes in handy at times.
As things move back to more normal processes, the undeliverable delivery may become an antiquated memory, thanks to modern day tech and a good idea at a rough time. So, knock once more, listen close for the sound of the doorbell to verify that it works, and take pictures the same as in the app. All of these, and anything else that might help, to get you on your way. And keep the undeliverable delivery at bay. Zoom zoom.
