I arrived there last night to find the place closed and my path north blocked
The picture is me at the closed lock entrance.
It’s called Denham Deep Lock. It’s above Uxbridge. As you can see on the map, it marks the end of LONDON proper.
Looking at the CRT Stoppages and Closures , it’s not just closed for a couple of days, more like 1 month or so. It’s due to re-open on the 10th of December!
Looks like I’ll be finding another way home!
Down, across, up
Yep, that’s it. More down (to Brentford Tidal Lock), Across (to Oxford), Up (to Banbury… again :[ ).
Christmas is approaching and it is the season to be on Amazon looking to take advantage of lightening deals and let someone else take the strain of delivering your freshly ordered goods to you.
They say that in the logistics business, the last few miles of delivery are the most expensive.
Amazon pays drivers from it’s own logistics department to complete deliveries that final few miles.
This may be through their paid or contracted fleet, or it may be from the self employed gig delivery workers otherwise known as ‘Amazon Flex‘.
Amazon Flex
I’ve been doing Amazon Flex for nearly 3 years now.
This is my top 10 tips for Amazon Flex Drivers.
In my experience, these are the tips that are going to make you a better driver.
I’ve been here a while now. In Ashby terms, I’ve just got here.
Boaters don’t tend to move a whole lot on the Ashby.
Remember this picture I took on moving from my first stop.
Stoke Golding Oct
Not one boat has moved since I left one month ago. It looks exactly the same.
Since I got here in early October, 80% of the boats I come across haven’t moved at all. Been in the same place. Completely.
Feel a bit alienated by moving around. Everybody else just stays in one place.
Still there we are. They are probably good people and have special privileges.
Lockdown
We are, however, on lockdown still. Which means that I’ve stuck to my position here in the wilds with nothing but rolling fields, birds and cow noises to keep me company.
Or so they say… Amazon has a return Police. Did you know that?
Making ‘too many’ returns gets your account flagged, and eventually, if you continue, will get you banned.
Since 2018, this seems to be an increasing common phenomenon.
Getting your Amazon account banned; too many returns?
This morning, I received an email. This is the ‘warning’ email, and in the UK, it’s sent by a .uk address called [email protected].
The email I received reads like this:
Subject: Your Amazon.co.uk Returns
From: “[email protected]” <[email protected]>
Date: 06/11/2018 20:01
To: [email protected]
Hello,
We have noticed multiple returns from your account in the past 12 months. You have also
requested refunds or replacements for some items that you returned.
We’d like to know how we can better support your shopping experience. Please reply to
this email and let us know why you returned your orders.
Please learn more about our return policies in the Voluntary Returns Guarantee section
of the Conditions of Use & Sale, available at the bottom of all Amazon.co.uk pages.
Sincerely,
Account Specialist
Amazon.co.uk
www.amazon.co.uk
I’m hoping it’s an isolated incident, but I’m writing a blog about it anyway.
Amazon tried to charge me postage on a free postage item
So, I’ve been a member of Amazon since 2007. Over 11 years on the current email address.
I’m used to the way they do business, as I also work as a ‘Flex’ driver.
I know that you don’t get anything for not calling these people out. That’s what I’m doing.
Buying a postage free item
It may only be in a small way. It may only be an isolated incident, but yesterday, Amazon tried to charge me postage on a ‘postage free’ item.
£1.99 postage to be exact.
Here’s the item.
Item clearly says Free delivery in the UK.
When I get to check-out. I can see that they’re trying to add the postage, so I go back and check the ‘Delivery Details’, or terms and conditions.
[su_quote cite=”Delivery Details” url=”https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=mk_sss_dp_1?ie=UTF8&pop-up=1&nodeId=201910160″]Any item with “FREE Delivery” messaging on the product detail page that is dispatched by Amazon is eligible and contributes to your free delivery order minimum. Items sold and fulfilled by Marketplace Sellers do not contribute to your free delivery order minimum.[/su_quote]
Despite this having ‘Free delivery’ messaging on the product, it is not eligible according to Amazon’s own rules.
Rang support agent
I rang them and told them that they had displayed the item wrongly. From the conversation I had with the support agent, I got the impression that this wasn’t a big thing to them.
Amazon counts on people’s ignorance and laziness to make tax free profits.
Heads up if you get this. Take a screenshot. Ring them up and tell them the item has been mis-labelled. They are obliged to give you the postage back as they are mis-labelling and mis-selling the product.
Yes. Meadows. These ones with sheep, horses and the odd duck and goose thrown in.
In the middle of no-where basically.
I’ve been here since Sunday, but I had to work on Sunday due to the weather being so abysmal during the week. I only managed to get out on that one day.
Today it improved somewhat, and I popped my head out and took some photos.
Amazon Flex didn’t pay me and refuse to pay my driving fees for the Flex project.
Most recently, this happened on the 21st July 2021. Unlike my experience below, many drivers were affected. Not just me.
Amazon payments stop July 2021
Turns out the error was on Amazon’s side. They just fucked it up. They sent out the following email to delivery partners.
Amazon flex didn’t pay me
Checking social media and the replies, it became obvious that this was purely an ‘Amazon Problem’.
Not doing anything is the best option. Nothing has changed my side. I’m changing nothing.
6 hours later, I got this email.
Amazon flex fuck up
Amazon shitshow
I’ve been contracting for flex for over 4 years now, and within the last WEEK they’ve changed my area then stopped paying me, and everyone else on the program.
I’m not sure what’s been going on. But at the moment for one reason or another, flex seems like a shitshow.
Back to 2017
I’ve been working for them for a while. Since October. Over 2 months.
You’re not employed by Amazon as a Flex driver, but you’re self employed providing a delivery service on Amazon’s behalf.
All your packages are provided by the company, and you have to go to the depot to pick them up.
In the case it was the Northampton Depot on Saxon Ave, DNN1.
This is where I’d go for each delivery block. At the end of each week on a Wednesday, you’d be paid the amount owing for the previous 7 days, into your bank account.
Here are some drawbacks of Amazon Flex
Despite it being a good way to earn cash if you’ve got some spare time, there are some drawbacks.
The app: Bad routes
It automatically gives you what it deems to be the ‘best route’ for your delivery consignment.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
