Attempt number Two
I’d taken a break before trying again in February. Let’s be honest—after that first attempt, I needed a bit of time to recover (both physically and emotionally). While delivering food isn’t the hardest job in the world, I decided to do some homework on how to make it less of a comedy of errors. I looked into better delivery bags, splashed out on a new one that wouldn’t collapse under the weight of a sandwich, and binged a few videos on how to actually do this job without looking like a clueless eejit on wheels. I still don’t fully understand how it all works, it’s like trying to figure out why Irn-Bru tastes so good—but as I learn more, I’ll be sure to share my findings.
Here are some of the common tips I picked up online. Most are aimed at folk delivering in big cities like London or Manchester, but a few apply to smaller towns like mine:
Stay close to busy areas. The closer you are to popular pick-up spots, the more likely you’ll be to snag an order. Hanging around a quiet street hoping for deliveries is about as useful as waiting for sunshine in the Highlands.
Choose your delivery times wisely. Deliver during peak meal times: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And when it’s chucking it down with rain (which is most of the time), people are more likely to order in. Just make sure you’re ready to brave the weather, there’s no glory in showing up at someone’s door looking like a drowned squirrel.
Do shorter orders. The shorter the trip, the hotter the food stays, and let’s be honest, nobody wants a cold sausage roll. Plus, it keeps you closer to your next pick-up point, so you’re not cycling halfway to Inverness.
Provide excellent customer service. A smile and a bit of banter can go a long way. Folk are more likely to tip if you’re cheerful and not acting like you’ve just cycled through Mordor to bring them their Maccies.
With these tips in mind, I decided to give it another go. My second attempt was a whole different story, more “seasoned delivery driver” and less “lost tourist on wheels.” I headed out on a Friday, delivering from lunchtime until dinner, and Uber was running a promotion for drivers: an extra £1 per order. Now, I know a pound isn’t exactly life changing, but in this game, every penny counts, and it does add up.
By the end of my shift, I’d completed 12 orders, not exactly Tour de France numbers, but respectable for five hours on the go. Thanks to my new delivery bag (which didn’t try to self-destruct halfway through) and a bit of common sense about which orders to take, I had a shift I could finally feel good about. I earned around £80 for the night, and I was absolutely buzzing!
Then it got even better, tips started rolling in. (Pro tip: customers can add them after the delivery, so there’s always hope.) By the time they all came through, my total earnings for the day were about £115. I’d gone from the worst first attempt imaginable to feeling like I’d cracked the code. Safe to say, I’ll be sticking with this gig, now that I’m no longer delivering groceries in instalments.
