Gridwise blog

Shipt is a shopping and delivery service that operates in 260 cities across the U.S. Although it’s not as large as its major competitor, Instacart, Shipt offers a great opportunity for gig drivers.  With Shipt, you receive orders, shop for the items, and deliver the orders with your vehicle. Shipt handles orders from many different grocery stores and retailers who see the obvious advantages of having the means to get their goods to customers quickly and efficiently.

Many drivers, burned out on rideshare and food delivery, wonder about the high earnings claims made by grocery delivery companies like Shipt – and so do we. So, we put together this blog post to examine how well Shipt shopper pay fits the company’s claims, as well as what it’s like and what it takes to be a Shipt shopper. Here’s what we’ve got:

• The Shipt shopper gig: What it’s like
• Shipt shopper pay: How it breaks down
• How much do Shipt shoppers make?
• The future of grocery delivery
• Why you might (or might not) want to be a Shipt shopper 

The Shipt shopper gig: What it’s like

Being a shopper for Shipt is pretty straightforward, but it takes a certain set of skills and personality traits. For one, you’ll want to like shopping. You’ll be asked not only to pick up a bunch of bananas, but to find the right bunch, the one that’s reached the exact stage of ripeness the customer wants.

Shipt prides itself on customer service, so the shopping end of this is somewhat more involved than picking up a bag of prepared food and running off to deliver it. Also, you’ll need to be good at the art of delivery. This means paying attention to the details of the order, dropping it off safely, and treating customers with the kind of respect that will earn you big tips.

To shop for Shipt, you’ll need to meet a few requirements, including:

• Proof of being 18 years of age or older;
• A valid U.S. driver’s license;
• A vehicle (1997 model or newer) that’s registered and insured in your state of residence;
• A smartphone equipped with iOS 10 or higher, or Android 5.1 or higher;
• Knowledge of how to select produce;
• The ability to lift up to 40 pounds;
• A complete application, including a clean background check;
• A positive interview, conducted online and on video.

As mentioned, Shipt puts a strong emphasis on customer service, but don’t worry about knowing every last detail right away. Assuming you clear the hurdles of the application, you can get additional video training from the company before you start. You’ll get a Shipt shirt and a card to use when you pay for orders.

Shipt is a totally flexible gig, in that there aren’t blocks or set shifts to worry about. You can choose zones where you’d prefer to work, but you don’t have to. There is no minimum number of orders, so you can work when it’s convenient for you, without penalty if you don’t work at all.

To get started with Shipt, download the app, open it up to receive your orders, and you’ll be sent on your way. Once you arrive at the store, you’ll shop for the items, communicate with the customer via cell phone (if necessary) while you shop, check out with your Shipt card (prepaid by the customer), and deliver the order. 

Tips are added to the order after you deliver it. Shipt strongly recommends that customers tip shoppers – but as you probably know, when you get tipped after doing the shopping and making the delivery, customer service skills become even more important. 

Keep in close communication with your customer at all times, and make sure to be honest if you’re running late. One of Shipt’s major selling points is prompt delivery, and you won’t have the kinds of delivery windows that leave you much leeway. You’ll need to work quickly and efficiently, and have a big smile on your face when you greet your customers, too.

Shipt shopper pay: How it breaks down

Tips are nice, but it’s also good to know how your base pay is going to be calculated with this particular shopping gig. You are paid by the order, and will not be paid extra for waiting time or for your fuel costs.

Shipt’s payment system is based on $5 per order, plus 7.5 percent of the order total. The amount is based on what you actually paid for the items at the store and does not include any applicable delivery fees or service charges.

This way of calculating earnings, while very consistent, doesn’t take into account factors such as how difficult the order was to put together, or how heavy the bags and boxes were to manage. Shipt states they do take the level of difficulty into account, but other services (including Instacart) operate with more nuanced algorithms that definitely take these and other aspects of the delivery process into consideration. 

Shoppers are paid weekly by direct deposit. The work week runs from Monday through Sunday, and you’ll be paid the following Fridayt  You have a little bit of a wait for your money, but Shipt does give shoppers 100 percent of their tips. All tips will be included with your payment. 

You can arrange for an instant payout with Shipt, but first you’ll need to have one successful payout. Then, you can agree to the terms with Stripe within the app, and arrange to have instant payout after that. You can get further details here.

Shipt is very clear about shoppers being independent contractors who are responsible for paying their own taxes, paying their own expenses, and not being entitled to any benefits that would come with being an employee. Gig drivers are used to this, but it’s refreshing to see Shipt’s transparency on the subject.

How much do Shipt shoppers make?

Shipt says that shoppers can make “up to $22 per hour,” and for the most part, that’s what we found in the data we collected. According to Gridwise data, Shipt shopper hourly earnings averaged $18.33 from January to November 2021. It’s no surprise that the winter months saw the highest earnings: $19.01 in January, and $19.81 in February. The lowest earnings were recorded in June ($17.86), but rates crept back up to $18.33 in November.

How much do Shipt shoppers make per order? The January to November 2021 average comes out to $17.03. The seasonal patterns were the same, with per-trip earnings ranging from around $16 to just over $18, the highest numbers during the winter, some dips in the summer, and then back up to the $17 mark in the fall.

How would we rate Shipt vs. Instacart pay? In this Gridwise post we discussed that in 2021, earnings dropped from $18.12 in July to $14.85 in September. Even though Shipt earnings fluctuated some during the year, they never went that low. As the post states, the dip in Instacart earnings could be due to either fewer orders or more drivers competing for orders. In either event, Shipt shoppers seem to be bringing in more “bacon.”

The future for Shipt shoppers: 2022 and beyond

There’s no question that grocery delivery has caught on and is here to stay. According to this Edison Trends article, delivery in general had increased by 225 percent as of mid-July 2021. While this trend seems likely to continue in 2022, there are some things to consider.

Uber Eats, DoorDash, and other big delivery companies are starting to dabble in grocery delivery. This Gridwise article describes how DoorDash is creating innovative options for fast deliveries, and it’s likely that other companies will follow suit.

Shipt, as a subsidiary of Target, is well-positioned in terms of standing up to the competition. According to Target’s earnings reports, the corporation’s sales rose by double digits in Q3 of 2021. Target has leveraged the ability to provide online ordering and customer pickup and delivery in ways that are extremely appealing to consumers. 

The combination of the general rise in demand for delivery, coupled with Target’s admirable growth, puts Shipt shoppers in a secure place when it comes to the future. But, now that you’ve heard what it takes to be a Shipt shopper, and how much you’re likely to make, do you think you want to try it out?

Why you might (or might not) want to be a Shipt shopper 

Shipt is a pretty good gig. But before you get involved with it, here are some questions you might want to consider. 

How do you feel about shopping?

For many people, shopping is something they enjoy – almost like a sport. For others … it’s a nuisance, one of those “I only shop when I absolutely have to” activities. Make no mistake. If you work for Shipt, you’re going to be shopping a lot, and you’re going to have to learn the finer points of choosing ripe melons and picking out the perfect parsley.

Are you satisfied with the amount of money you can earn with Shipt?

While there’s no guarantee you’ll make as much as the average Shipt shopper, the earnings are pretty fair. However, you can probably make at least as much as a rideshare driver with a lot less running around. While shopping can be fun, it also takes a lot more parking, getting in and out of your vehicle, and lifting heavy loads than rideshare does.

Do you like dealing with people?

Shipt’s intense focus on customer service means you’ll have to wear a smile even when you’re faced with surly grocery store workers and unpleasant customers. But if you're a relatively easygoing type with a talent for schmoozing, you should fit right in.

Do you mind wearing a Shipt shirt? 

Shipt likes it when shoppers don their green T-shirts with the company logo so customers can easily identify shoppers — and people roaming through the store can spot one, and think, “Gee, you mean that person will do this shopping for me and deliver it to my door? I’ll download Shipt right now!” This article features a Shipt shopper who takes his dressing up for Shipt to extremes. It seems to help his earnings to say the least!

All in all, Shipt is a pretty good deal. So, if you want to try it in your town, make sure you link your Shipt app to Gridwise so you can track your earnings and see for yourself if it’s worth it for you. You can also rely on Gridwise to let you know …

• Where to Drive so you can choose profitable driving routes
• When to Drive so you drive during peak hours
• Airport information for picking up passengers
• Event start and ending times
• Traffic and weather alerts
• Great deals and discounts for drivers to cut down on costs

Check out the best rideshare and delivery assistant and get up and running! If you haven’t already…

Download Gridwise now!

You’re always on the lookout for new ways to make more money as drivers, and so are we. Gridwise also keeps an eye on earnings, so we can tell you what it’s like to drive for a service like Amazon Flex. So … we’ve gathered up some facts and compiled our real-driver data in a package that gives you the latest information on this popular gig driving opportunity. In this post, we’ll tell you:

• How Amazon Flex works
• How Amazon Flex differs from other delivery services 
• What the Amazon Flex pay rate is like
• How to decide if it’s worth it to drive for Amazon Flex

Let’s dive in!

How Amazon Flex works

You’ve probably seen those slick-looking Amazon delivery trucks in just about every neighborhood you’ve visited. These drivers are not always employees of Amazon, nor are they independent contractors. They might be employed by Delivery Service Partners (DSPs) that have contracts with Amazon, or Amazon might hire them as Amazon Logistics Delivery Associates. Amazon delivery driver pay varies, depending on the contractor the driver works for. Indeed.com reports that the average Amazon driver earns around $17 per hour.

Amazon Flex drivers are different types of delivery workers. They are independent contractors who use their own vehicles to deliver packages and other items for Amazon. There are several different kinds of packages Amazon Flex drivers deliver. 

Besides the familiar boxes and large envelopes, drivers may work with Prime Now orders, which must be delivered expediently, usually in bags rather than boxes; Amazon Locker, a service that leaves packages for customers to pick up at a convenient location; and Merchant Pickups, a way to speed up delivery by having the driver pick up the goods from a merchant and deliver them for Amazon.

Amazon Flex drivers might also make attended deliveries, which require the customer or another authorized person to be present when the delivery is made; chilled and frozen orders that require special handling; and in some instances, alcoholic beverages, which require the customer to present proof of being over the age of 21 at the time of delivery.

Amazon Flex drivers are free to schedule flexible hours, but they must make their deliveries in blocks, most often  four-hour shifts. They then find their way to the Amazon warehouse (or another location), pack their vehicles with delivery items, and set off to drop them on the customers’ doorsteps.

Driver requirements for Amazon Flex are rather simple, and include:

• Living in a city where Flex operates
• Being at least 21 years old 
• Holding a valid U.S. driver’s license
• Having a mid-sized or larger vehicle
• Passing a background check
• Owning a smartphone capable of handling the Flex app

As long as you meet these requirements, it’s easy to get started … simply download the app and apply. Once you’re accepted, you can schedule your Amazon Flex blocks and get out there to do your Amazon Flex thing. Visit the “Let’s Drive” website to get more details directly from Amazon Flex and sign up to drive.

How Amazon Flex differs from other delivery services 

Depending on your point of view, Amazon Flex has more to offer than most other delivery driving jobs. With FedEx or UPS, for example, you have to work during hours that are pre-set for you. And, you may or may not get paid as much as you could for Amazon Flex or another kind of gig driving. Some drivers are paid a flat daily rate, such as $150 per day. For that amount, they might be expected to make as many as 100–150 stops during a day, depending on location.

Working for a carrier such as UPS or FedEx can mean long hours, and physically demanding work as well. Drivers deliver everything from small parcels to full-sized furniture and equipment. UPS drivers must be able to lift up to 70 pounds, and meet a slew of other qualifications, including being able to drive a standard transmission truck in all kinds of weather conditions, pass a physical exam, wear only small earrings (if any at all), and have no tattoos that cannot be covered by the uniform. 

Full-time UPS drivers get many benefits, including health insurance, eye care and dental coverage, life insurance, vacation, and (if required) family leave. They also must belong to the Teamsters Union.

At FedEx, driver requirements are somewhat less stringent. They include at least one year of verifiable driving experience in the last three years, or five years of driving experience in the last 10 years. You also must pass a criminal and motor vehicle records check, clear a drug test, and pass a physical given by the US Department of Transportation. 

FedEx does not classify its drivers as employees; rather, its drivers are independent contractors,  so they do not get employee benefits. Pay ranges widely, but the average is around $19 per hour. You can work full- or part-time as a FedEx driver, but your routes and hours will be predetermined, leaving you very little in the way of flexibility. To be fair, though, it’s a little more lenient than UPS when it comes to you being allowed to show your best-loved tatts.

What the Amazon Flex pay rate is like

With Amazon Flex, you can get a pay rate that’s as good or better than that of UPS or FedEx. Our real-driver data show that nationwide median earnings from January to November 2021 averaged $20.22 per hour. Average earnings per trip were set at $5.90, which is also quite respectable.

You might be thinking that Amazon Flex earnings will shrink when taking into account the average driver’s expenses. Keep in mind, however, that the other services also deduct taxes from earnings, and in the case of UPS, there’s the extra expense of union dues. Plus, Amazon Flex offers you the flexibility of gig driving along with the high probability of a constant stream of work.

There are seasonal peaks and valleys, to be sure. For example, the numbers we gave you here don’t even include the holiday volume, which is sure to bring much more work for Flex drivers. November figures began to show this upsurge, and earnings were also high during the winter months of 2021. Another peak came in the spring, as seasonal merchandise became more appealing to shoppers.

In general, the pay for Amazon Flex is decent, and comparable if not better than donning a uniform to work for UPS or FedEx. Amazon Flex drivers also earn about 15 percent more than if they worked directly for Amazon or one of its contractors. Also: If you want to make more money, there’s plenty of time to pick up another driving gig.

How to decide if it’s worth it to drive for Amazon Flex

Flexibility is probably the #1 reason you’d choose to drive for Amazon Flex, but it’s also nice to know the earnings are comparable, if not better than, the rates employed drivers might receive. Still, there are some aspects of the job you’ll need to consider to see if it’s worth it for you to work for Amazon Flex.

• Are you prepared to fill your vehicle with packages and bags, and deal with the inevitable wear and tear?
• What about vehicle maintenance? Will all the stop-and-go driving take a toll on your brakes?
• Would you mind driving in all kinds of weather, and getting in and out of your vehicle multiple times a shift?
• Do you mind having to rush to finish your deliveries within the time limit of your block?

Depending on how you answer these questions, you could achieve a lot as an Amazon Flex driver. Another way to decide for sure would be to compare your earnings as a Flex driver with your other driving gigs.

The ideal way to get a handle on what you’re earning from the services for which you drive is to use Gridwise. You’ll be able to sync your driving apps with Gridwise to track your earnings, and then produce graphs that tell you how much you’ve earned by the hour, the trip, and the mile. You can also record expenses so you can see which apps are earning you the most:

Plus, you’ll learn how to maximize your driving efficiency and earnings using Insights features like Where to Drive and When to Drive, and get inside info on:

• Weather and traffic alerts;
• Awesome deals and discounts for drivers, and more.

Download Gridwise now!

The opening of a DashMart in New York City, brings a grocery warehouse and delivery service, operated as a subsidiary of DoorDash, to Manhattan. The idea of getting groceries delivered within 15 minutes sounds great for customers, as does the idea of not having to schlep the goods through mucky or slushy streets. There are things drivers might like about this new service, too.

Press releases announcing the DashMart NYC pilot program touted the fact the new service would classify drivers as employees rather than independent contractors. With the continuing controversy over this issue, in New York City as well as California and other states, this seems to be, on the surface, a wondrous thing. 

The DashMart launch might turn out to be particularly enticing if the DoorDash 15 minute delivery model rolls out across additional cities, making more DoorDash drivers eligible to work as Das employees for DashMart. We suspect there’s a lot more than meets the eye here, however.

Any time a new opportunity is announced with this much excitement, it’s worth it to dig into the details to see what the benefits for drivers might really be. That’s why, in this blog post, we’ll look at:

• What DoorDash and DashMart are doing in NYC
• Why DashMart is hiring deliverers as employees
• What DashMart deliverers can expect
• The pressure of fast delivery can raise safety concerns
• The pros and cons of working for DashCorps

What DoorDash is doing in NYC

Before we get into the nitty gritty details of Doordash’s new offering, it’s worth noting that DashMart isn’t a brand new concept. DashMarts are grocery warehouses of sorts, stocked with essentials DoorMart drivers and regular Dashers can quickly deliver to customers. 

 DoorDash has already opened at least 25 such locations in major cities across the country. The thing that’s making such a huge splash in the Big Apple is the promise of delivery within 15 minutes.

Now, in a densely populated area such as New York City, it’s not impossible to deliver to a customer within a two mile radius in 15 minutes or less. In a place that’s more spread out (think just about anywhere), it might not be so easy. Even with the density factor, though, that 15 minute promise is a high bar to meet - especially with NYC traffic. 

Still, DoorDash is determined to provide this service better than anyone else. As you might imagine, small business owners might not be impressed with having to compete with DoorDash for local business. In an attempt to quiet the opposition, the company ultimately plans to expand its speedy delivery services beyond its own warehouses to include other establishments, such as bodegas and even full-size grocery stores.  

Much of the reason DoorDash has made this promise is the need to compete with other super-fast delivery services, including GoPuff, Gorilla, and Jokr. These and other rivals are already working with that 15 minute delivery window. What’s more, they also are hiring people as employees to make those swift deliveries.

Why DashMart is hiring deliverers as employees

Competition is one reason DoorDash is highlighting the fact that some of the people who will work for the NYC DashMart will be classified and treated as employees. This is, of course, a point in their favor in the eyes of those who advocate for better treatment of gig drivers and couriers. Before believing that’s the only reason, though, let’s look at some of the additional pressures involved. They include:

• Mandates from New York and other cities to pay delivery people minimum wage or more

In September 2021, the New York City Council passed measures to protect delivery people, which include minimum payment per trip, the option to refuse deliveries without penalty, plus a requirement for the delivery companies to provide insulated food bags for workers and for restaurants to allow drivers to use their bathrooms.

• Pressure from states and other jurisdictions to provide employee benefits to workers

The controversy over Prop 22 in California continues to rage, as you can see in this Gridwise blog post. The Golden State isn’t the only one embroiled in efforts to push gig driving companies to classify their workers as employees, and after state governments got stuck with the bill for driver unemployment compensation during the pandemic, they’re eyeing ways to make big changes. DoorDash, meanwhile, maintains that 90 per cent of its drivers would prefer to retain the flexibility of being independent contractors.

• The ability to expand business, work with larger stores, and have a predictable work force

AM New York quotes Christopher Payne, the president of DoorDash, as saying the following in a press release: “Consumers increasingly expect an effortless, enjoyable experience, so while we are starting with DashMarts, our goal is to expand this offering to select grocery and convenience partners.” Already, in New York City, DoorDash has signed on some 400 bodegas to their app platform, and started a community outreach to work with small businesses.

What DashMart deliverers can expect

Before you pack up and move to New York City just so you can be classified as a Doordash employee, hang on. There are some caveats you need to be aware of. 

First, not all delivery people will be classified as employees. According to The New York Post, DoorDash said that full-time employee status and the benefits that come with that will be given only to “a significant number” of workers. Many drivers for the service will be independent contractors.

If and when DashMart and DashCorps rolls out to towns all around the country, this will still be the case. Not all DashMart drivers or couriers will be hired as part of DashCorps.

At the pilot DashMart location, in the trendy Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, there are 60 people employed as couriers, and they work about 25 hours a week. They get $15 per hour, plus tips, and are classified as W-2 employees. They have uniforms and report to managers, who supervise their activities. Others are offered full-time employment and benefits, but not all.

DoorDash has formed a new company, called DashCorps, which will employ certain workers who make deliveries for DashMart. The employee couriers will work a set schedule, between 25 and 40 hours per week, and those who work more than 30 hours will be offered medical, dental, and vision insurance.

Some will also benefit from Employee Assistance Programs, Flexible Spending Accounts, and commuter benefits. Most employees are expected to work an average of 20 hours per week. 

All DashMart employee couriers will no longer be able to deliver as regular Dashers. However, they can still work for other apps as independent contractors.

The DashCorps couriers use E-bikes, which are not standard bicycles, but also not mopeds. They’re fairly controversial in the city, according to this article from The New York Daily News. Responsibility for any violations associated with them, if the e-bikes are distributed to delivery people by DoorDash, would hopefully rest with the company. Independent drivers still have to stay on top of local regulations and comply with them to avoid getting cited.

Getting busted by the NYPD for riding an unauthorized e-bike is not the only thing drivers have to worry about. Their personal safety, for many reasons, is also at stake.

The pressure of fast delivery can raise safety concerns

The company hopes that DoorDash customers will favor their DashMart delivery service because they are already familiar with the app. Customers will see DashMart as an option under a “convenience” tab on the app or the DoorDash website. 

The pressure of the “15 minute” delivery window is reflected in the words of DoorDash president Christopher Payne, who spoke of “10 to 15 minute” delivery windows in the press release announcing the opening of the new DashMart in New York City. 

Not surprisingly, that pressure will get transferred to delivery people. This can result in excessive rushing and less than prudent on-road behavior; essentially, it can become a safety hazard. Advocates for New York City’s some 65,000 “deliveristas” are concerned that this business model will push more workers to be reckless and unsafe. 

Advocates in New York and other cities are also concerned about the way companies train, or don’t train, their workers. As a result, many run traffic lights and weave through traffic in ways that don't seem to make much sense, considering they might only be delivering some bananas or a quart of milk.

DoorDash maintains that it will be paying that minimum wage to drivers, and give them access to a new in-app safety tool called “SafeDash.” It’s really just a way to call 911 from the app. With rising crime and an increased possibility of being involved in accidents, this seems to be a bare necessity.

In addition, all DashCorps couriers will be required to participate in a two-hour training. This could help to create a greater consciousness about the balance between speed and safety among speedy delivery people.

Speaking of balance, let’s turn now to the good and not-so-good points about working for DashMart and DashCorps.

The pros and cons of working for DashCorps

Gig driver employment is a hot topic among drivers, and it also raises the collective blood pressure in gig companies and government jurisdictions. The new model offered by DoorDash with its DoorMart and DoorCorps rollout brings up the issue in a new light. It further blurs the line the companies have drawn, which have justified them classifying workers as independent contractors. This could make those ongoing disputes even trickier.

Here, we are more concerned about the welfare of drivers and delivery people. So what might working for DoorDash’s new speedy delivery service be like?

Pros:

• Employee status: If you like the idea of being a full employee, joining DashCorps makes that possible.
• Guaranteed minimum wage: You can predict your hourly income, and know that there will also (most likely) be tips.
• Set hours: You will have a set schedule, and not have to worry about the best times to work.

Cons:

• Limited hourly wage: You lose the ability to make more than minimum wage at peak times.
• Loss of flexibility: If you decide you want a day off, or even a few hours to yourself, you’ll need to clear it with management.
• Pressure of fast delivery: As a regular Dasher, or as a courier for another delivery service, you have less stress and less risk of accidents. 

You have to decide what’s right for you, based on the opportunities available where you live, and how you feel about the issues we’ve covered here. Whether you pass on this new business model, or if you do sign up to work as part of DashCorps, and also want to work for other delivery or rideshare services, you can keep track of everything with Gridwise! 

Drivers like the convenience of doing everything online, including banking. But when it comes to major, real-life banking needs, like financing a house or a small business, you also need a good relationship with a traditional bank. Relationships, particularly with traditional banks, take time to develop. How can you create a successful reputation with a good old-fashioned (and well-financed) institution, while still enjoying the convenience of online banking? 

In this post, we’ll discuss how it can be done, and how Giggle Finance, a business financing company, can help you along the way.. We’ll look at all the issues you’ll need to explore, as we cover:

• How to finance your business 
• Differences between online and traditional banking
• How to get approved by banks, quickly and easily
• Help for gig drivers – Giggle Finance

How to finance your business

Let’s say you want to expand your rideshare business to include additional cars, invest in some updates, or upgrade your current ride. Just as likely, you could be gig driving in the hope of setting yourself up in a bigger business – maybe a food truck or restaurant, or an auto parts or recreation-based franchise.

You need money to start or improve your business; probably more money than you have on hand. You’ll need more than you could raise quickly just by driving and delivering. When you know there’s a need to come up with a large amount of money fast, there are many things you can do. Here are a few:

• Save. This is the easiest and most straightforward way to raise cash. If you have a substantial amount of savings tucked away, you can use it for all or part of your business investment.

• Friends and family. Do you have some loved ones who believe in you? If so, perhaps you can arrange for them to either lend you money, or offer you an advance on a future inheritance. This can work, but it’s always advisable to lay down a solid business agreement, even with your sister or your best friend. More than a few relationships have gone sour due to unclear terms on “friendly loans.”

• Credit cards. A deafening alarm bell goes off here. Certainly you’ll be able to get a better interest rate almost anywhere than most credit card companies lay on you. Use this source sparingly, if at all.

• Angel investors. Do you have a pool of bitcoin-wealthy buds who might invest some of their winnings in your new enterprise? Even if you don’t know an angel investor personally, it’s worth asking around to see if you can find a few. That ironclad agreement will be needed here, too. You won’t want to pour your heart into getting a business going, only to find out you gave away too much of it to those angels.

• Crowdfunding. Always an option – but you’d better have a good pitch and something to offer the people who put their hard-earned money in your pocket.  

• Business loans and lines of credit. You can put together a business plan and try your luck at major institutions, or even the Small Business Administration, who’ll help you find and/or provide some funding.

• Factoring. This is a way of getting cash flow coming in by “selling” your incoming payments to pay off a loan you use to keep your business afloat. The factoring company may wait for your payments, or take their share of your earnings as they flow in,  along with their fee. Factoring is a great way to build credit and prove you’re capable of earning what you need to pay off a loan, and ultimately score a larger loan from a traditional institution.

Differences between online and traditional banking

It’s pretty common for drivers to choose online banks because they’re so convenient. It’s easy to sign up, and your accounts can be managed from almost anywhere. Online banks don’t have lots of overhead, so they can offer you low fees on checking and savings accounts, and even some loans.

Online banks are fully hooked into ATM networks so you can use them when you need to. The downside is, those ATMs can’t resolve problems like the humans you’ll find at traditional banks. 

What is traditional banking?

In addition to personal attention, traditional banks (aka, brick-and-mortar banks) offer more extensive services, such as the ability to make cash deposits. They can also approve higher loans and mortgages because they have the “deeper pockets” to back them. Some banks even offer insurance and brokerage services. Traditional banks will also cut you a decent rate on foreign exchange, and make it possible for you to secure cashier’s checks.

While it makes sense to use online banking for many of your financial transactions, it’s wise to develop and maintain a solid connection with a traditional bank as well. The good things about online banking don’t really outweigh what a traditional bank can give you when the stakes get higher.

How to get approved by banks, quickly and easily

We’ve given you some reasons to develop a relationship with a traditional bank: having access to extended services, and enjoying easy access to assistance from a real, live human when you need it. And, of course, there’s that thing about ultimately getting your hands on a bigger loan one day.

But, before you automatically assume you’re a shoo-in for a mortgage or auto loan because you’re dealing with a traditional bank, there are a few things you’ll want to know.

First, it’s just plain smart to establish accounts at a traditional bank. If and when you come in for a car loan, a mortgage, or a business loan, you probably will get much better treatment if you’re already a customer. Other ways you can do this are:

• Prove that you earn at least $2K per month doing gig work;
• Manage your cash flow effectively. That means keeping your bank balance out of the red, and ensuring that no checks are returned for insufficient funds;
• Keep your unsecured debt (credit card balances) to a minimum.

If you can keep on top of these three things, you’ll get approved for financing much faster. And with traditional banking, you can talk through your options person-to-person; i.e., you’re much more likely to meet with someone who’ll be there for you in the future as a potential perpetual line of credit. So while traditional banks aren’t always pitched as the first choice for most, these advantages make them a highly useful resource for gig drivers. 

Help for gig drivers: Giggle Finance

What if you could get a nice-sized line of credit, have access to instant cash to help with unexpected expenses and small investments … and make inroads toward reaping the benefits of traditional banking? You can do all that and more with Giggle Finance.

Giggle Finance gives you financial peace of mind, and helps you achieve your dreams. Because your Giggle account is fully automated, you have access to instant cash 24/7, 365 days a year. You can cover the cost of an accident, or jump on an opportunity to invest. You have to be working your gig for at least three months, and as long as you prove you can earn the money you need to repay the loan, Giggle will lay it out for you.

Giggle Finance gives you:

• Funding up to $5,000, depending on what your business can afford to borrow
• Access to your funds in about eight minutes
• An advance for your business with no credit requirements

Your line of credit from Giggle is similar to the concept of factoring, which we talked about earlier, but with a sweet twist. The money goes straight into your gig platform or your bank account, giving you an easy way to make your payments back to Giggle.

Having a nice stash of cash go through your bank account rings bells with your traditional institution, too, paving the way for you to get bigger loans for your larger dreams in the future. Giggle Finance reports all your payments to Experian and TransUnion. So your credibility – and your credit score – rises. You can even get credit and breaks on your fees for making early payments.

Here’s how you can make Giggle Finance magic happen for you:

• Sign up: Tell Giggle a little about your business;
• Connect with your gig platform or bank account for automatic payments;
• Review the terms, and then sign your contract digitally;
• Get access to funds in your bank account within minutes.

Giggle Finance gives you the best of both worlds. You get the simplicity and ease of online banking, while developing a solid record you can use to get a future loan from a traditional bank. Get the money you deserve, and build the reputation you need to create a financially fabulous future.

 Get started with Giggle today!

As another year of earnings comes to a close, it’s time to start prepping for a critical step in your work: filing taxes as an independent contractor. 

First, we need to mention that Gridwise is not a personal tax advisor. The information below is meant only for guidance purposes and not as professional, legal, or tax advice.

If there’s one thing you should take away from your article it’s that tracking your mileage and expenses is critical as a gig driver — and can help you keep more of what you earn at tax time. 

As of 2021, you’ll be able to deduct $0.56 for every mile you drive, but only if you’re keeping a precise log.  

Here are a few ways to track your mileage and boost your tax deduction as a gig driver:

Different methods for tracking gig mileage

Pen and paper

Many gig drivers choose to go old school, using pen, paper, and their car odometer to log miles driven on the job. This gets around the issue of apps not tracking your miles/earnings properly, but it comes with its own set of problems.

Even the most diligent driver can forget to check their odometer before and after a shift. Human error shouldn't be underestimated when it comes to calculating things by hand. Keeping track of calculations and sheets of paper, as well as receipts, gets messy and complicated quickly.

Excel spreadsheets

Logging your driving info on spreadsheets means less of a paper chase, but it still requires a diligent mindset to keep track of differences in car mileage before and after shifts. This method of mileage tracking can be very effective, but those missed or miscalculated miles add up fast.

Hybrid/blended

Doing a mix of these options can help minimize the downsides of each method. Drivers have logged miles and earnings for years this way, and it's been a fairly successful way to keep track. But is it the best method?

Driver assistant apps

While relying on driving assistant apps means dealing with occasional sync issues or glitches, it's by far the most convenient option. Instead of logging everything on paper or transferring data to a spreadsheet, everything is tracked automatically and kept in one place - your app!

You can export your data every quarter and generate reports that have your miles, expenses, and earnings in a few neatly organized pages - no paper chase or spreadsheets required!

Gig driver tax deductions - maximize your mileage

Track Every Mile

You might be thinking that your apps are already tracking mileage for you, but that’s only half correct. Your apps do track mileage, but only the miles you drive when on a ride or delivery. As an independent contractor, you should track every mile for the largest deduction. 

And what you may not know is that you can track the miles you drive when not making a delivery or completing a ride. So all those "dead miles" you spend driving to hotspots or driving back home can be counted toward your deduction - even though apps like Uber and Doordash don't track those miles.

Plus, Gridwise also keeps track of your earnings and any other expenses you incur so you’ll have all the information you need when you’re ready to file. 

And if you ever have issues with your earnings or miles syncing, our customer support team will address problems promptly to get your records straight ASAP.

Forgetting something? You need to make estimated payments… 

Whether you’re on the road part-time or full-time, you need to make estimated quarterly tax payments if you expect to owe more than $1,000. These taxes cover things like Social Security and Medicare. 

Why Stop at Mileage? 

Being self-employed isn’t easy… make sure you’re taking advantage of the perks available to you like these additional deductions: 

• Paid Apps & Services — are you using other paid apps to make your driving experience better for you or your passengers? As long as more than 30% of their usage is related to your business, that cost is expensable. 
• Dash Cam — Dash cams are a great way to protect yourself and your riders in the event of an accident or incident, and their cost is another tax deduction. 
• Parking & Tolls — While these fees can be annoying, they can also help you save. 
• Roadside Assistance — Any fees associated with keeping you on the road are part of what helps you work, so they’re deductible. 

Realizing the deductions available to you a gig driver is great, but a word of caution — don’t get too carried away. While there are a lot of legitimate deductions you can take, the IRS will spot it if you’re trying to blur the line between work and personal use. A few dollars saved on tax day isn’t worth a visit from the tax man. 

Understanding Tracking Methods 

Once you have your final number of miles driven, there are two ways to calculate your deduction: Standard Mileage Deduction and Actual Cost. 

Standard Mileage Deduction — Using this method, you just multiply your miles driven by the standard deduction per mile for a given year. This rate includes expenses like gas, insurance, maintenance & repairs, registration, depreciation, and lease payments. 

Actual Cost — The actual cost method requires you to keep detailed track of all of these expenses independently to calculate your actual cost per mile. 

For most drivers, the standard deduction is the simplest way to go and will still help you save at tax time. If you’re wondering which method is best for your business, it’s best to consult with a tac professional. They’ll provide the best option based on your unique business. 

Whether you’re driving full-time or part-time, make sure you’re keeping up with estimated taxes and keeping track of every expense you incur. You put in the work to be your own boss, you should enjoy the benefits! 

To make it simple, just download Gridwise today to keep up with all of your miles and expenses. Plus, you’ll get access to our collaborative driver community and driver benefits only available to the Gridwise team.

The great driver shortage of 2021: What does it mean for earnings and the future of rideshare?

This past year has been at least a bit less weird than 2020, but it still has held its share of surprises. As we’re sure you’ve noticed, some of them have rocked the rideshare business. One of these is the driver shortage. Whether you think it’s real or imagined, there surely has been a lot of talk about it, and there have been plenty of efforts to deal with it in the past year.

In this blog post, we’re going to look at the driver shortage of 2021, what caused it, what the companies did to make it less painful for customers, and how they even tried to make it easier for drivers. Here are the things we’ll explore:

• How did the driver shortage happen, and what did it do to rideshare?
• The salad days of driver incentives - did they help?
• How did Uber and Lyft earnings change as a result of the incentives?
• Is there going to be another driver shortage in 2022?
• How to keep on top of your rideshare game in the face of uncertain times

How did the driver shortage happen, and what did it do to rideshare?

The origins of the Uber and Lyft driver shortage aren’t the least bit mysterious. As it did for so many industries, the COVID-19 shutdowns hit the rideshare industry like the proverbial ton of bricks. 

First of all, rideshare business went down to a mere trickle when offices, bars, restaurants, and schools closed down. Travel for pleasure as well as business ground to a halt. Even if drivers who were courageous enough to take to the road found very slim pickings when it came to getting rides.

Drivers were designated as “essential employees” in many states, in that they were needed to transport medical and emergency personnel to their places of work. This meant that they possibly could work. However, not many were willing to go out in the middle of a pandemic, ferrying passengers as they breathed on them in proximity that was far closer than the recommended six feet.

The government also made it easy for drivers to sit out their rideshare shifts when the CARES Act permitted independent contractors such as rideshare drivers to collect unemployment benefits. They were also given access to the generous federal supplements that sweetened the deal even further.

This situation may not have been intended as a disincentive for drivers to work, but for many of us, it turned out that way. Why go out and risk getting the killer virus when you can sit it out and collect as much or more money?

Passengers really felt the pain of the driver shortage, especially if they tried to get around during the height of the shutdowns. Long waits and high prices made it extremely difficult for customers to easily get rides from Uber or Lyft. Many times, the apps would tell them, in essence, “Uber: no cars available” or “Lyft: try us again later.”

With people who depended on rideshare raising the demand for drivers, and so few drivers willing to go out on the road, something had to be done. Both Uber and Lyft took action and poured money into their efforts to incentivize drivers to come back to work. 

Gig driver incentives - did they help?

To make it easier for customers to find rides, and for drivers to feel more motivated to get back to work, Uber and Lyft heaped incentives onto the drivers’ pot. Uber spent more than $250 million in the second quarter of 2021 on driver bonuses. Lyft, meanwhile, is on track to up the ante to almost a billion dollars in extra enticements for the entire year.

There were times when an Uber driver could go out, complete three rides, and come home with $100. Even before 2020’s woes hit, and on a good shift, it would take way more than three rides to get that kind of cash. This “easy money” made drivers happy, and they did begin to return to work, if not in droves.

It’s no surprise to those of us who are familiar with the antics of rideshare companies to find out they didn’t really absorb these costs. They were, by and large, passed on to their customers.

Answers to the question “How much does an Uber cost?” reached numbers people had not heard before. They began to be more discerning and hesitant about their rideshare use, enquiring “How much does Uber cost per mile?” or “What are the cheapest rates for Lyft in my area?”

How did Uber and Lyft earnings change as a result of the incentives?

There are two sides to the earnings coin in rideshare. One is company profits, and the other is the one we care about most: driver earnings. Or Gridwise data show that in the first ten months of 2021, Uber driver median earnings rose more than 32 per cent. Beginning at almost $11 per trip, earnings peaked at $16 or so in the spring, and stabilized at a level around $14 in the fall.

Lyft drivers, similarly, experienced increased median earnings per trip. Growth throughout the spring was not as drastic as the Uber rate, but earnings did increase over the ten month period by about 33.5 per cent, from a little more than $10 per trip in January, to over $13 per trip in October. 

The tactic of attracting drivers back to work with financial incentives worked, because as the earnings figures show, the incentives eventually got spread more thinly over a greater number of drivers. This is why the earnings leveled off at the end of the third quarter. It’s also worth noting that driver incentives are tapering off in the fourth quarter. While rideshare volume is still under 2019 levels, things do seem to have stabilized.

Now that we’ve established that the incentives and bonuses the companies offered over the course of the year boosted driver earnings, let’s look at the effects they had on the companies. Investors in the companies were concerned, initially, that the immense amounts of money being poured into driver incentives would hurt company profits.

In the cases of both Uber and Lyft, this was not the case. The reasons behind the success of the companies vary, but it is notable that both achieved profitability, in adjusted earnings reports, for the first time.

Uber’s success came from delivery as much as it did from rideshare. Uber Eats booked $30 billion in business during 2020, and its earning potential shows no signs of waning. Lyft also managed their business well enough to show an adjusted profit at the end of the third quarter. Their success was attributed to higher revenue per customer ride, which means, as we stated earlier, the costs of driver incentives were absorbed not by the companies, but by their customers.

This was a viable, if not totally fair, option for two companies who were under immense stockholder pressure to attain profitability. As customers are dependent on rideshare to get from place to place, they have become accustomed to the higher prices. While this has worked to the advantage of both Uber and Lyft, the bounty may not last forever.

In bigger cities, people are turning back to a source of transportation they’ve been using for decades: the taxi. It’s interesting to note that, between January and October of 2021, taxi rides rose 106 per cent. New York and Chicago, simReports from bigger cities tell us that, in the face of higher rideshare rartes, people are turning back to a source of transportation they’ve been using for decades: the taxi. It’s interesting to note that, between January and October 2021, taxi rides in San Francisco rose 106 percent. In New York and Chicago, similar rises in taxi ride volume were apparent. Also, these cities saw a decline in the number of rideshare trips in their metropolitan areas.

Is there going to be another driver shortage in 2022?

The answer to this question will depend on many variables. Driver incentives are off the table after the end of the year, most likely. Will drivers still be motivated to keep working rideshare? Drivers have lots of reasons to think twice about that. They include:

• Food and parcel delivery

When the pandemic struck, many drivers switched to delivery, and most of them came to like it! They realized they didn’t have to deal with difficult people quite as often, and they could make just about the same amount of money. In some cases, parcel delivery offers them the option of being employees of a company. Check out the hottest delivery driving trends to learn more!

• Driver classification issues

In some states, there have been major movements toward getting more benefits for drivers. Many drivers went on strike to protest against lack of benefits and low pay. The companies have fought these issues fiercely, and in the case of California, put together their own way of keeping drivers satisfied without making them employees. These issues are ongoing, and future strikes could cause another shortage.

• Rising fuel prices

These days, when drivers come home after a long shift and do the math, figuring out how much their earnings actually are once they factor in their expenses, the numbers have changed. With gas prices up way higher than they were a year ago, the cost of being a driver can potentially outweigh the benefits at a much more rapid rate. Use Gridwise to help you calculate your true earnings by tracking your activity and recording your expenses, including fuel. Also, now’s the time to get Gridwise Gas, so you can save up to 25 cents per gallon.

• Fear of COVID and its Variants, and government pressure on the rideshare industry

With new variants affecting even those who have been fully vaccinated, the fear that shooed drivers away from rideshare could rear its hideous head once again. Also, there could be restrictions on rideshare, due to COVID and its variants as well as court rulings. One such court edict states that drivers are private individuals, and therefore not eligible to provide taxi rides.  You can read more about that in this article from The Street.

• Wearing masks and making sure passengers do, too

The burden of remaining masked for hours on end as a driver is only made worse by the fact drivers have to ensure passengers are also wearing masks. This is an extra duty that improves everyone’s safety, to be sure; but it also has the potential to strain the driver-passenger relationship. What do you think about this? Let us know in the comments below.

How to keep on top of your rideshare game in the face of uncertain times

While we like to think the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic are behind us, and that rideshare driving can return to “normal,” we must face the fact that we still live in uncertain times. Because of this, it’s important for us drivers to remain alert and able to pivot in the event that circumstances change. Here are actions you can take:

Think local

Check alerts from your local news apps that might clue you in on COVID outbreaks, restrictions, and potential closings. You will probably find local Uber and Lyft driver groups across social media that will give you some inside information. Also check in with Where to Drive and When to Drive from Gridwise to get a real time view of what’s going on in your area.

Know your niche

Check the Gridwise blog regularly to get the latest news about the rideshare business, and how changes in the world affect you, the driver. Be sure to join the Gridwise Facebook group, where you can get current info. Before long, you’ll be able to use many of our popular Gridwise features to compare earnings between rideshare and other services, such as food, grocery and parcel delivery in your area. When the rideshare going gets rough, you can always switch to another way to get paid.

Spot your opportunities

You need to know what’s going on in your town, from events in the city center to activity at the airport. Gridwise gives you all this information and more, including alerts about when events are starting and when they’re estimated to let out. Passenger volume, arrival times, and departure times are available right on the Gridwise app, too.

We know that you love rideshare driving, and we love serving our rideshare drivers. No matter what happens in the world, there will always be a place for you in the mobility market. What would your passengers do without you?

The key is to remain flexible, and be informed, so you know if and when it’s time to make some moves. One move we hope you’ve already made is to be a Gridwise driver. If you haven’t yet, it’s about time, wouldn’t you say?

Download Gridwise now!

The more time you spend reading this article, the less time you have on the road. That’s not what we’re about at Gridwise; we’re about helping drivers get more from their business. So let’s get on with what you’re here for ...

According to our data collected from 150,000+ Gridwise drivers, from August through October this year Grubhub drivers earned an average of $15.73 per hour and $10.84 per trip. This is close to the $15 per hour reported for Grubhub drivers on Glassdoor. 

Now, let’s break that down, because obviously average earnings aren’t the whole story. Keep in mind, we can’t promise your earnings will match these numbers; where, when, and how you drive have a major impact on what you take home at the end of the day. 

The good news? You’re in control of your business – and thousands of drivers are making these earnings and more. To help you become one of them, we’re about to answer these questions:

• Is Grubhub the best app to drive for? 
• How can I improve my Grubhub earnings? 
• Should I switch platforms to do food delivery? 

Let’s get started on the road to higher earnings.

Is Grubhub the best app to drive for? 

In terms of earnings for food delivery apps, yes. Over the last few months, at least.

Among drivers who use Gridwise, Grubhub drivers earned more per trip than drivers with Uber Eats or DoorDash during August, September, and October of 2021.

Whether this trend continues is less certain. Grubhub only has a 15 percent share of restaurant food delivery sales (compared to DoorDash at 57 percent and Uber Eats at 24 percent).  

Emerging apps like Caviar and Bite Squad can also be a great opportunity for drivers as these companies typically launch aggressive ad campaigns and roll out driver incentives.

So while earnings are high right now, they may not last as larger players take over more of the market. But you don’t have to wait. You can sign up to become a Grubhub driver today to capitalize on the earnings hot streak and take advantage of these tips for boosting earnings even higher. 

How can I improve my Grubhub earnings? 

Grubhub driver salaries can be hard to predict, but there are always ways to earn more. 

Reddit Grubhub drivers are raving about the benefits of multi-apping – and we agree. Actively using multiple apps gives you more options, allowing you to get picky and only take on orders that are worth your time. Just make sure you’re not violating any use agreements. 

The real secret to multi-apping is following the numbers to make sure you’re using the right apps at the right time. Gridwise helps you track your earnings across every app and automatically creates reports that help you get more strategic about your delivery app pay. 

Knowing when to drive for Grubhub is another key to bigger paydays. The Gridwise When to Drive feature uses up-to-date driver data to show you when drivers are making the most money in real-time.

The Gridwise app also gives you: 

• Up-to-date travel information on flights;
• Real-time traffic alerts;
• Gas deals: Save up to $0.25 per gallon with Gridwise Gas;
• The most current information on events happening in your city. 

Having the data only gets you halfway there. A real difference-maker for Grubhub driver earnings is in the tips. Grubhub drivers keep 100 percent of their tips, so it pays to invest a bit in your delivery experience. Here are a few things Grubhub drivers can do to boost their tip take-home:  

• Consider creating a small thank you card or another token of appreciation that you can quickly and easily add to an order. This sort of gesture will help ensure the customer remembers you when it’s time to add a tip; 
• Always put the customer first and provide the most pleasant experience possible;
• Prioritize high-ticket orders from restaurants where tipping is the norm.

Should I switch platforms to do food delivery? 

Here’s the truth: Earnings are going to vary. The best way to set yourself up for success as a rideshare or delivery contractor is to do your research and create a plan that meets your earning requirements and fits your lifestyle. Here are a few places to start. 

• See how Grubhub earnings compare to Uber
• Should you drive for another food delivery company like Instacart?
• Take a look at the industry overall

Don’t be afraid to try a few different tactics until you find what works for you. Even without fringe benefits (or PTO), the flexibility of rideshare and delivery opportunities continues to bring many new people over to the gig economy. New apps are always popping up, and big names are constantly changing the rules. 

Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming, but keeping up with how much you’re earning from each app and tracking mileage and expenses is essential to being a successful driver. 

Thankfully, you don’t have to resort to complex Excel sheets to make sense of your business. Instead, Gridwise can do the tracking for you so you can focus more on your customers (and those precious tips).

Apart from helping you build your business, you’ll also get access to exclusive driver benefits and the most comprehensive support for gig drivers.

For more suggestions on improving your earnings, check out our full list of ways to earn more with food delivery. 

And as always, if you have something to add, share it with our collaborative driver community on Facebook! 

If you’re a delivery driver, you might have noticed the competition is getting stiff out there. Many who used to drive exclusively for rideshare made the shift to delivery during the pandemic and never went back. New gig workers, according to this Insider article, are signing up to deliver food, packages, groceries, and other items rather than driving rideshare. So, delivery has become one of the biggest gig driving trends in 2021.

Although rideshare is taking its time to come back from the pandemic, it seems that delivery is still on an upswing. In fact, new companies appear to be cropping up all the time – which means there could potentially be lots of openings for people like us, who are always looking for variety and financial gain through gig driving.

These observations lead us to wonder about the general trends in delivery, and where the business is going. We’re also wondering exactly what kinds of opportunities might open up for delivery drivers as delivery becomes even more of a staple in our society. 

As more business models develop, some exciting gigs are emerging. In this post, we’ll look at what’s going on in the delivery business and what trends portend, and then examine enticing new avenues that are opening up for drivers in the not-too-distant future.

Here’s what we’ll look at:

• The fad that didn’t die: Delivery driver trends 2021
• New ways to go: Delivery driver trends 2022
• A “flowering” prospect in the weed(s)

The fad that didn’t die: Delivery driver trends 2021

No one was exactly shocked when delivery driving took off in the spring of 2020. The COVID-19 shutdowns transformed the way people got their prepared food, groceries, and supplies. Delivery drivers were classified as “essential workers,” and it was up to us to ensure that people didn’t go without the things they wanted and needed.

Once stores, restaurants, and bars began to open, it seemed logical that delivery would become less popular – but that’s not what happened. Delivery became a part of life during the height of the pandemic, and most of us got accustomed to receiving all kinds of goods through delivery services, rather than venturing out to get it for ourselves. Who wants to give up the convenience and comfort of having what they need/want brought right to their doors?

While this may change the way many businesses operate and place a drain on their income streams, delivery drivers have everything to like about the way things are going. Restaurant delivery alone is expected to continue its amazing trajectory of growth. Industry experts estimate it will be a $220 billion industry by 2023, and make up some 40 percent of restaurant sales.

Yet even with promising projections like these, many delivery drivers would like to branch out beyond delivering those burgers and fries to customers. Many get into shopping for and delivering groceries, while others enjoy playing “Santa” year-round, dropping off packages of all  kinds to happy customers.

New delivery driving companies are looking for drivers all the time. Courial, for example, advertises that it delivers “everything.” This could range from candy and flowers to newly repaired shoes and neatly folded laundry.

The big delivery companies are also getting more inventive all the time. DoorDash recently instituted a new service, “Nationwide Shipping,” which lets customers order their favorite foods from other cities. Now you can get a real “Philadelphia Cheesesteak” no matter where you live. And … DoorDash will need more drivers to deliver these new edibles to the hungry customers on the other end.

Uber, meanwhile, recently purchased Drizly, a service that delivers from liquor stores. This opens up a whole other realm of possibilities, whereby delivery drivers are no longer fetching only the essentials for people. Now they’ll be the “life of the party,” quite literally. 

These examples show what the big-name companies are doing, and that’s only part of the story. More small companies are finding their market niches, and launching new delivery ventures with goods and services that are bound to keep the party going.

New ways to go: Delivery driver trends in 2022

In states where it’s legal, cannabis delivery is booming. The state governments are collecting handsome sums as a result of legalizing pot, so more are sure to get in on the game. California collected more than $1.8 billion in taxes alone since 2018. One delivery platform in the state says that cannabis delivery makes up 10 to 15 percent of the state’s legal market. 

This is bound to grow as cannabis delivery companies continue to crop up, more states move toward legalization, and banking laws catch up with the cannabis trade. The hope of most industry players is that legalization takes place on the national level. This would eradicate many of the laws that make it impossible for clients to pay for cannabis with much else besides cash.

Even without federal legalization, the cannabis industry, including cannabis delivery, is slated to grow at phenomenal rates. In 2022, the industry is projected to bring in $30 billion. And, just like so many other industries, the cannabis business is looking to delivery drivers like us to bring their product to their customers.

So, with the food and grocery delivery driving gigs becoming overcrowded, and the cannabis industry expanding to such a great extent, maybe you’d like to know what it takes to be a cannabis delivery driver. That’s why we asked some experts, who’ve got all the details about the available opportunities, and how you can jump on it now.

A “flowering” prospect in the weed(s)

Weed is one of the hottest items in California delivery, and FLOWER CO. is a new and growing company that’s looking for drivers. The company is customer-focused, and its goal is to supply San Francisco with the best buds on the market. Customers place orders online and are given a two-hour window for their deliveries.

Drivers are the cornerstone of FLOWER CO.’s operation. Here are the “must-have” characteristics of the typical FLOWER CO. driver:

• Customer-service oriented
• Positive and professional attitude
• Dedicated to making customers happy
• Passion for cannabis products.

The “brass tacks” qualifications include:

• Age 21 or older
• Valid California driver’s license
• Vehicle insurance in your name
• Clear driving record
• Smartphone with newer OS
• Availability to drive multiple days, including weekends
• Being punctual, proactive, and kind.

Your car needs:

• A trunk with plenty of free space
• A car alarm
• A clean and professional interior and exterior

If you can meet those requirements, you’ll be able to reap these benefits:

• W2 employment
• Structured shifts that are scheduled in advance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Product discounts

FLOWER CO. is currently looking for drivers in San Francisco, so if you’re in the area, this could be a great opportunity for you! 

You’ll operate from FLOWER CO.’s licensed, secure location, and deliver a variety of products to all kinds of customers. You’ll load, unload, prepare, and operate a delivery vehicle, and collect cash payments. You’ll also have a chance to inform customers about new services and products as they become available. And, of course, you’ll agree to abide by all cannabis regulations and compliance procedures.

This driving gig is bound to grow as the future unfolds, and FLOWER CO. is a reputable company that offers flexibility and the opportunity to polish and grow your skills. Your interaction with customers will invariably be engaging and exciting. 

So, if you’re a delivery driver based in or near San Francisco, FLOWER CO. can offer you a way to turn your driving gig into a way of life that serves you well into the future. Want to get started?

Sign up to drive with FLOWER CO. today!