Uber Connect Review
I'm car-free. Since I don't have a car, it's difficult to run errands such as returning packages when I have multiple places to go. It can also be expensive. Recently I had to return a package to the postal office and the trip to the post office and back home cost me $25-$30 including the tip. Imagine having to spend that kind of money when you have 3 or 4 or more places to go. As I was scheduling a ride recently, I discovered a new to me service called Uber Connect. Basically you can pay an Uber driver to pick up your package and deliver it to UPS, USPS or FedEx. You can even pay them to go and pick something up for you. For example, I picked up my dry cleaning last week, but forgot to get my coat from the dry cleaner. I could pay Uber to go and pick up my coat from the dry cleaner and bring it to me.
I tested out Uber Connect today. I had eight packages that I needed to return, two to FedEx, two to UPS, and four to the post office. According to Uber app, the service should cost $3-$5. I started with the two packages that needed to go to FedEx. I scheduled the pickup and the cost was $3. I wanted a no-contact pick up and left the packages on my doorstep. The driver arrived within eight or nine minutes, picked up my package, dropped it off at FedEx and sent me a picture once it was delivered. At the time that the pick up is scheduled, Uber does not allow tipping. However, once the delivery has been made, it does give me the opportunity to tip. I proceeded to schedule my UPS pick up, as well as my USPS pick up. There is a maximum of five packages that a driver can pick up. All packages have to have a prepaid label attached or you can send the QR code to the driver. In total, I spent $28 returning the eight packages to the three delivery services. That's $14 for the service and $14 in tip. This service saved me $75-$90 because I didn't have to take Uber or Lyft to each location and back home which would have been $25-$30 for each trip.
Prior to setting up the service I tried to do some research on Uber Connect. As someone who uses other delivery services such as DoorDash and Instacart, I was concerned about what would happen or who would be liable if my package did not make it to the delivery service or back to the retailer. It's very easy to walk into a UPS, FedEx or USPS location, snap a photo of a package on the table, and walk out with the package. I've seen instances of that with food deliveries. So if I'm returning a pair of shoes to DSW via USPS, but the package never arrived at USPS or DSW who's liable? I wasn't able to find that information, but Uber does advise to limit this service to packages with a value less than $200. There are also restrictions about the types of packages that can be delivered similar to what you might see in a post office where they list prohibited items like alcohol weapons, etc. I am going to do some additional research on this because I plan to continue to use the service and I wanna make sure that I understand my options if a package is lost.
The only thing that I did not love about the service was that there were predetermined UPS, USPS, FedEx locations, and in some cases they were far away. I have often used the drop off locations such as Walgreens for FedEx and CVS for UPS. I didn't have the option to select those locations and actual FedEx and UPS stores are far from where I live. The driver had to go to the other side of town to deliver those packages. I could actually see why a driver would not want to take a pickup/delivery job because of that and that could affect effectiveness/efficiency of Uber Connect.
Although UPS, FedEx, as well as USPS offer pick up services at my home, there are certain instances where prepaid labels from retailers are not honored for those services. Also, the post office has flat out said that they picked up an item that they did not attempt to pick up. So Uber Connect offers me an alternative to those services if they do not work as well as allowing me not to have to rely on finicky services.
Uber connect is a really good service for people who do not have a vehicle. It's convenient and affordable. I doubt that I will be visiting FedEx, UPS or USPS anytime in the near future.
Note: This was my first time using the service. As I continue to use it, I will continue to update this review so that it is well-rounded.