Do’s And Don’ts When Dealing With Delivery Services

It's no secret that the way we all shop has changed drastically in the last month or so. Gone are the days of a quick trip to the store. Now there are lines, and masks, and gloves and distances and occupancy to consider. So it's not really a surprise that either out of convenience or an extra sense of safety, many consumers are ordering online, or through platforms like Instacart, and having their groceries and supplies delivered to their homes.

But as much as this is likely a new experience for many, there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to having someone else do the shopping for you and drop it on your doorstep. What's the correct protocol for unloading those groceries? What about when things on your list need to be switched out due to availability issues? And tipping...you have to remember to tip.

According to a great article by Buzzfeed.com, there are quite a few do's and don'ts when it comes to dealing with deliveries. Some of them are common sense, and some you may not have realized. But they are all important to keep in mind. And if you get a chance to check it out, it's great food for thought!

For instance, there seems to be a trend now in which people who order something delivered, because of no-contact options (which are a good thing, and put in place to protect both the customer and delivery driver) delivery personnel have reported a decrease in their tips, or that the tips customers first entered in get changed to something lower at the end of the transaction. That's not cool.

There's also a disconnect in understanding among some who use these services that the shoppers/delivery folks have some control over supply and demand (which they don't--they're subject to the same rules we are) and so complaints are made and ratings are lowered because stores were out of things, which the drivers have nothing to do with.

And when it comes to physically unloading these groceries, as much as it's important for the delivery person to respect your wishes to social distance, and keep to either a no-contact drop off, or a distanced delivery, it's also important to not get into their space, as well. Going up to that person's car to help them unload, as against your nature as that might feel, may be what keeps that individual the safest and most comfortable.

Delivery services are a necessity for some these days, both the consumer, so they can get their goods without risking their safety, and for the delivery people, many of whom are doing this to make ends meet in an economic time of uncertainty. Understanding that it takes a bit of teamwork, understanding, communication and ultimately respect when having someone else shop for you, will go a long way to making the process beneficial for both parties.

So please keep that in mind, and try to be kind.