Inside Amazon’s Meticulous Same-Day Delivery Strategy | WSJ Shipping Wars

Amazon is the king of fast delivery – it pioneered the free two-day shipping model customers have come to expect. As competitors like Walmart and Target ramp up delivery speeds to take a piece of the e-commerce pie, Amazon is overhauling its distribution network and investing heavily in its drone delivery program, more automation and electrifying its delivery fleet.

WSJ visits a same-day facility to explore Amazon’s fast-shipping strategy.

Chapters:
0:00 Amazon fulfillment centers
0:56 Process and strategy
5:08 Why fast delivery is important
5:53 Challenges and criticism

#Amazon #Delivery #WSJ

[catbangs]

As an Amazon Flex driver, i've had occasions where the time stamp on a package (we get delivery by time on all packages) was ridiculous, where GPS said it would take me 20 minutes to get to the stop but the time stamp said I had to be there in 10 minutes or the package would be considered late. I would then get an email from amazon saying that, in effect, i need to do a better job at delivering packages on time. That creates a dangerous situation for drivers.

[rickkubas]

To all Amazon workers, I really appreciate your hard work.
Thank you ALL.

[Stratus]

I honestly wish they'd have some better "slow" options. I don't need tube socks same day. No rush shipping is fine, but often shows up late because you become low priority. I don't mind waiting, but I do want it the day they say. Three day delivery would be fine for most of my stuff.

[guszun]

As a former Amazon driver, worked for a DSP, I kept getting more and more packages to the point where it would be physically impossible to deliver them if I took my “obligated” 30 minute break (it’s obligated but you’re also told to take it while driving or while delivering) like imagine being given 200 packages and without including the time it takes to:
drive to address, find adequate parking, turn off the car, take off seatbelt, jump in back, search for package in a sea of 20 other packages in a big delivery bag, and then walk across yards (yes on grass, we all hate ppl that have signs to not step on grass, since it’s always the most direct route to your door) and walk back and get the car going again
Let’s say ALL of that took 3 minutes, that’s 10 hours of the same thing without including a bathroom break or time to decompress or relax your joints (try jumping off a 2 step height 200 times, it’s killer on knees and ankles) or even eat in peace. People don’t realize that they don’t need more breaks, they need more workers, better pay to attract new workers and keep the ones they have, and strict limitations on how many deliveries they can do per day cause there’s no point of having an “obligated” hour long break (1 30 minute and 2 15 minutes) if the worker feels obligated to keep working through it in order to not fall behind and get written up 🤷🏻‍♂️

[guytrudel]

In a couple of years Amazon will be able to use their AI technology to determine what I want to order, that I won’t like the product and will want to return it for a refund. So, they will simultaneously invoice and credit me, and send the product directly to the landfill.

[siamimam]

If you live in an apartment please don’t select the 4-8am delivery time. If we can’t access the lockers, we have to return to the warehouse. ALSO PLS PROVIDE A GATE CODE ❤

[christiancardona]

I used to work for Amazon and they constantly overworked employees. The promise of fast shipping came at the expense of our health as we had to sort several packages continuously throughout our standard 10 hour shift. A work union didn’t exist either at our facility and this made our working conditions harsh and dangerous. I’m in my 20s and for sure those medical benefits exist for a reason. On the daily older employees would wear braces, not for preventative measures but for recovery. It’s unfortunate that Amazon puts so much pressure on its employees as a direct result of attempting to increase its output for $$$.

[sdsd]

I'm looking forward to the next episode about Target. In my experience, their 2-day shipping promise is always broken. It's more like 2 days handling + 2 days shipping.

[GordyThomas]

@wsj - Another key point not covered in this article: when I was choosing CPAP supplies sold by multiple vendors, I ended up choosing the items with a "SAME DAY DELIVERY" banner. It truly amazed me that I ended up getting the exact filters I needed within 5 hours (in San Diego). I'm saying that those availability banners on certain items help to drive more traffic to the local fulfillment centers.

[saxo]

I’m glad this video was made because honestly as someone who used to work at an amazon warehouse and now a driver the warehouse is far worse and everyone acts like drivers have it terrible. Yes we have bad days but if you work for a non terrible DSP there’s things they tell you to do that keep the route sizes down, and if yours doesn’t they let you transfer between without needing retraining. At the warehouse you barley get breaks and don’t have that drive time between to sit down

[the_s]

Just amazed how these workers keep these packages moving, i appreciate all AMAZON workers thank y’all 😊

[lukejc]

Amazon has only gotten slower for me in recent years. As a Prime member, what used to be delivered in 1-2 days will now be delivered in about a week.

[Xenon-]

As a non-prime member, I'm pretty sure delivery times have increased in recent years at the expense of offering faster shipping for prime members.

[singhcertain]

As an Ex Amazon Employee, I can easily say that the faster they want to go, the more fatigue every employee will feel. I really think the Government should step in and make some rules about this Same-day Delivery thing like if it's not essential, there is no need for same-day delivery. that's why more accidents happen on the road because Drivers are forced to drive fast and deliver quickly

[larsporsena]

I try to buy local if I can, but I’ll always choose prime over a visit to a big box store

[memofromessex]

They should start recognising unions and stop knowingly selling knock-offs

[ryanmaris]

Honestly I'd rather stick with 2 day delivery but get a more exact time my delivery comes to ensure its not stolen. Also I think Walmart and Target have a huge advantage cause a lot of people will go pick up their orders and it captures in additional sales when someone decides to maybe grab a gallon of milk or eggs, bread, and other perishables that people are always buying.

[TheLawnmowerLady]

At least 1/2 of my same day delivery orders fail to get delivered on the same day, regardless of the countdown clock. I sort of understand if an order is delayed when I place the order "within the next 45 minutes". There is just no excuse for delayed orders when placed 6-8 hours before the cut-off time.

Edited to add: These same day deliveries are aslo the ones with the worst packaging and significant damage.

[siamimam]

I do amazon flex and often times they send 2-3 drivers to the same house which is really inefficient. They could easily give one driver those 3 packages.

[futuramanut]

3:50 no, it's to divert liabilities from Amazon to the worker, who often is considered self employed.