Best Delivery App To Work For In Calgary Alberta

If you are looking for the Best Delivery App in the Calgary area there are a few to consider such as, Uber Eats, Doordash, and Skip the Dishes.

Looking for a side hustle? Are you thinking about Driving For Uber Eats but unsure what to expect? This post will give you a rundown on what you need to know to become an Uber Eats Driver.

Driving For Uber Eats, What do you need to know?

#1 How to Become an Uber Eats Driver?

Must be 19 years of age, Own a car with at least a year of driving experience along with all valid driving information listed below.

Go to the login page here for Uber Eats. Enter your info in the Sign Up application to drive. Follow the process and requirements for your area.

You must be approved in all these areas to proceed with valid documents.

Optional items are to apply to deliver alcohol which a Pro Serve certificate is needed as well as an option to shop and deliver requiring a pay card. Neither have I opted in for as of yet.

There are also some videos on safety etc that are required before being accepted.

Fill out the banking info and finish the profile section and you should be good to go soon. If there are issues please contact support to help finalize the application. Do not skip the profile section, as this is what the customer can see. Being truthful and honest as to why you drive can make an impact on your tips and credibility.

Signing up for these driving apps doesn’t always go smoothly. Even I had issues with Uber and still having issues with another driving app. I hear this often so don’t get frustrated. It just might not happen as easily or as fast as one hopes. Well worth it when it does.

How to use the Uber Eats App?

Once the app is downloaded, the screen will show your area along with a blue GO button.

Before you hit GO please READ ON.

Navigating the Uber app screen:

At the top left of the screen will be 3 lines in a white circle. This is a very important section.

• Inbox – The index is where to find anything uber needs to inform you on, mostly about your, tips, achievements, updates, or expiring documents, so check it regularly. Make sure you tap the Thank Customer after receiving a tip. Always remember to be Grateful!
• Referrals – This is where to find a referral link to share to invite others who wish to drive. A driver can earn some extra money while helping others.
• Opportunities – It will show you where the hot spots are as well as extra daily, and weekly offers to make extra money. It is possible to earn an extra $4 – $40 bonus pay on these days.
• Earnings – This shows your daily and weekly earnings, as well as total trips, points, and added incentives. Incentives are bonus surges for going to hot zones and with gas prices this high the company will throw some extra cash to cover gas from time to time.
• Uber Eats Pro – This shows where you are in the standings. Points are achieved in and at certain times and per trip. You need so many trips to achieve Platinum or Diamond within a time frame. It is quite easy to do however the incentives are not all that special, however, it looks good on you as a driver.
• Wallet – Shows your balance and payment info. Uber pays weekly however, you can apply for a cash-out now for an extra cost.
• Account – Everything is in one place regarding your Uberacct.
• At the bottom is info on Covid, Help is who to call if experience any issues on acct or trip questions. The learning sections have great videos that are mandatory before driving.

Uber Eats Driver Tips and Tricks:

Things I wish I knew before driving for Uber Eats:

Do I need to accept every Uber Eats order?

NO! Although you are driving for a company, you are still an independent employee. Taxes, insurance, gas, and wear and tear on a vehicle are all part of working for yourself. you have the option as to where and when you want to work, depending if you want casual, part-time, or full-time pay. Many decisions are on you.

Accepting lowball offers is not worth your time or gas. With gas prices the way they are it’s hard enough to make money. Be picky. When Uber sends an offer, a green slide delivery button will appear on the screen. It’s your choice to accept it or let the offer expire in approx 15-20 seconds or hit the X on the top right.

CAUTION: Uber has the tendency to send offers at the most inopportune times. Such as, when navigating the map, while on a trip, or when you are about to take a photo etc. It is kinda tricky on Uber’s end however this is how they can get people to take offers that may not be great and acceptable offers.

This happened to me a couple of times while I was blowing up the map and one time not even sure how it happened but ended up with 2 orders that I would not have taken otherwise. Both of which sent me across my city for low pay. Be cautious!

Customers need to value you as a driver and acknowledge that our time and gas are valuable for us to survive as well. Extra Tips are always welcome and very appreciated. Times are tough understandably for us all.

Understanding Uber’s Hot surge zones and busy areas.

On this map, there are colored areas ranging from blue, yellow, orange, and red.

• Blue – This is where it is busy zones that may give you 1.1x-1.3x your pay.
• Yellow is busy and will receive a bonus surge pay if you pick up or deliver in that area. Usually a $1 -$1.50.
• Orange is busier in which the pay may range from $1 -$2.
• Red is the hot zone. Pay can vary but is usually $2-$3 extra per trip.

Pay varies as it can possibly go as high as $8 although in Alberta $3-$4 is average.

Don’t chase the Surges

Surge zones are “live” which means they change dramatically and may only last minutes at a time moving to other areas. Once you are familiar with the areas, it will be easy to decide where to go. During the day I stick close to my zone but in the evening or on weekends, it is in another area that usually has surge pay almost always.

What is considered a good-paying trip?

As I mentioned above, accepting an offer is completely up to you however an offer with low pay and high mileage will never benefit you. Eg) an offer of $6.00 for 13 km is an absolute NO. Now if it were $13 for $6km that is a more reasonable offer. a good $ per mile ratio is 1.5-1.75 per km.

Always consider an offer with respect as to where you are going or want to end up. Such as a lowball offer may not be that bad if you are heading in that direction.

Walmart orders can be unpredictable, they may look good however if you are one with ability issues, carrying heavy items or climbing stairs may be troublesome for some. Personally, having someone along with me for these orders is a great help.

Walmart orders can be quick although if short staffed sometimes the wait for the order to be brought out can set one back on time.

When arriving, always call the number as well as enter your parking number. Many times they do not get notified by just the park number resulting in having to call anyway and wait longer.

How To Increase Tips?

• Do not over except offers as this will make orders to be delivered later risking cold food and angry customers.
• Keep customers in the loop by sending a quick message that you are on your way or why you are running behind
• When taking the photo, make sure your bag is in the photo to prove you protected their order.
• A Thank you is always a nice message or a happy face.

How to get shut down and disqualified?

Getting shut down is not a good thing to have to happen if this is your livelihood.

A few things that can get you banned are:

• Taking multiple app orders at once on a delivery.
• Stopping for gas, food, or any private matter during a delivery.
• Being rude and inconsiderate to employees of the merchant, as well as to the customers.
• Too many declines after the offers are accepted.
• Invalid or expired info in your profile.
• Driving violations.

Understandably, we are all trying to do our job but sometimes rude behavior can be seen in both the merchant and driver. Both need to be respectful of each other’s time.

Merchants need to acknowledge us drivers and keep us in the loop of wait times. We are not standing there with our phones for anything else. One business is horrible for ignoring drivers, packaging the order, and pushing it aside to continue with their duties. LOOK around, more often than not it’s our order ready to go out.

Pay

Uber Eats pays weekly every Monday.

Taxes

Don’t forget we do our own taxes so keep track of gas, and mileage. Uber will give you a tax summary for each month in your back office. Keep track of all your vehicle maintenance and repairs as well. Pay

Quest Bonuses

Quest bonuses come randomly to each driver. They vary in amount, however, can substantially increase your pay by up to $50 extra.

#2 Doordash

The Doordash application is very easy. As long as you have a car and a valid license you are set.

I can honestly say this app is not as flexible as Uber Eats. If it is slow in the area preferred to work it will say schedule for another time. Unlike Uber, you can work when and where you like at any time.

Skip The Dishes

Skip the Dishes is similar to Doordash as you are required to work on scheduled times and areas or if busy. Sign-up is simple however they are usually full and don’t take new drivers, so it’s important to keep checking when an area opens up.

Best Car Phone Holders

#1 VANMASS Universal Car Phone Mount. Peel and stick to the dash or vent clip. Find it here:

#2 Magnetic CD Phone Mount. Con is the magnet can wear over time and if you hit a bump phone may fall off the base. Find it here:

#3 CD Slot Universal Car Mount. Find it here:

#4  Suction Cup Phone Holder. Find it here:

Summary

Having multiple apps is a good idea especially when it’s slow. All apps have the option to deliver alcohol which requires a Pro serve certificate or a payment card for shop and pay orders.

In my opinion, becoming a Uber Eats driver can be a very rewarding side hustle whether you choose to work Part-time or full-time. It seems to be the most reliable of all the apps and the one I choose when delivering.

Get started today, use this link to register and become a Uber Eats delivery driver.