Amazon is officially competing against delivery services such as Postmates and Instacart with the launch of Flex, an on-demand delivery service using everyday drivers to deliver packages.
As part of the rollout, Amazon is advertising that crowdsourced workers can make $18 to $25 per hour by delivering packages using their own vehicle. These couriers can use the Amazon Flex mobile app to help route their deliveries.
Participating drivers must have their own vehicle and a valid driver’s license, be over the age of 21, pass a background check and own an Android smartphone.
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Flex couriers will solely focus on delivering packages for Amazon Prime Now, the marketplace’s one-hour delivery service. Couriers may be able to deliver other types of Amazon orders in the future, according to the company web site.
The courier can sign up for a specific delivery block so they can pick up and deliver items within a local radius. Participants can choose available shifts in two-, four- and eight-hour blocks of time, or set availability for up to 12 hours per day in the future.
Amazon Flex is currently available in Seattle. The service will expand to numerous U.S. markets in the future, including New York, Baltimore, Miami, Dallas, Austin, Chicago, Indianapolis, Atlanta and Portland.
With Flex, Amazon will be able to oversee not only the online purchase but the shipping and delivery processes from beginning to end.
