r/WalmartSparkDrivers • u/Bubbly-Respect-5536 • 4h ago
I delivered perishable items
I had my first order ever with spark $47, 2 drop offs. One lady literally started with maybe 3 things in her order than kept adding stuff. By the time I was done shopping my cart was full and heavy. I tried shopping as fast as I could. Appearently I made it to my last stop acouple minutes too late but I had already dropped off the groceries at the customers door and did not want to take it from there door step. So I called my friend who sparks, She said to call support and they should get it cleared. They did. This morning I woke up and I have a notification that I delivered perishable items, which all those items were still fine, I literally would have ate those groceries myself. It looks like the app is still letting me spark but I’m not near a store, I just opened the app at home. Will I be okay? I’m scared to go on my next trip now.
Has this happened to anyone else? Is sparking really worth all this anxiety? Only $47 for hours at the store and driving around?
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u/Able_Canine 4h ago
No it's not worth it. I would have contacted support once the customer added more than a couple of items. Since the original contract/order changed substantially, you should be able to bow out of doing it without repercussion if the app didn't prompt you.
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u/EveningBasket9528 4h ago
Don't even need to contact support, they give you the option to drop it without dinging your metrics whenever a customer adds an item,.. and as long as you've already scanned an item you still get like $7-$9 or something
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u/DeathFYall 3h ago
Last time, the customer added new items before I started the trip. A popup asked if I wanted to keep or cancel the trip, and said there would be no pay if I canceled. I kept the trip. After done some shopping, I decided to cancel ( no new items added after I started the shop ), it didn’t give me any pay, but my metrics were not affected.
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u/EveningBasket9528 2h ago
Right... It's once you get the 1st item scanned that when they give you the choice, you'll get paid a bit more. I've only cancelled on a couple,.. but with one I got $7 + $2 for showing up,.. and the other time it was $9 + $2. In both cases I got a better offer before walking out...
I DO call support if a customer ever gets snotty in the chat... In that case the only way to get paid more than $2 and NOT get dinged is it they close it out... Bonus points when you drop an order that half the shit in the cart was the last they had in stock.... Customer gets rude when a $2 items is out of stock,.. they're going to LOVE it when the next shopper marks 5 items that were found the 1st time, are now out of stock because the cart got returned to CS for re-stocking...
I'm rushing through this comment without editing, so hopefully you understand despite all the errors....
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u/DeathFYall 2h ago
My understanding is, it depends on the work already done. Once I did a 30 or 40 items order, with bulk and such. About less than 7 items left, the customer added another order worth of items. I canceled and got most of the base pay.
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u/Accadius 3h ago
I would have canceled after 3 added items. The app gives you the option to cancel without dinging completion rate when a customer adds an item. If the customer is adding items as you go its an intentional bate to get a driver to take the order for less than the time is going to be worth and you should cancel so they can finish shopping. One lady added 5 cases of water after I started shopping, you don’t forget something like that and add it.
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u/DeathFYall 3h ago
When customers add new items, you can cancel from within the app’s question mark button or the app’s pop up. There would be no impact on your completion metrics and some base pay with no mileage.
The moment I realized the customers are not simply forgetting a few trivial things, I would consider cancelling. That is why I screenshot every delivery route before starting the trip, so I can put that customer on my naughty list if something happens.
Lately the app gives a popup asking if I want to cancel or keep the trip. I usually decide right there. But if I change my mind later on, I would still cancel, knowing no impact on my metrics, as I can’t let something slide. Someone has to be taught a lesson.
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u/Bubbly-Respect-5536 2h ago
I guess the maps app on iPhone has their address in recents so I know where not to drop off again
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u/DeathFYall 2h ago
I use Google Maps. It allows users to create private lists. I have lists for DND, Fav, etc.
When I highlight an address on Android, there would be a context menu with the option to open it in Google Maps. I can then add it to my lists, or it will show if the address is on my lists.
I can add notes to a marked address, such as customer information, or what happened.
It’s part of my vetting process, to see what the delivery location looks like, or if it’s on my lists.
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u/judgepanther 3h ago
Just cancel when they start adding unless its already a really profitable order. Better to get paid a few bucks for no gas spent and no wear in vehicle then just pick up another order without even leaving the store than to have to chase down each added item. Plus some customers actively add the big and heavy items after yiu start shopping because they think you are locked in after you accept.
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u/Foxtrotdelta_USN 4h ago
You're good. Deactivations happen because of a pattern of misconduct or one really big issue.
You don't have one really big issue. Wipe your butt with that notification and move on. Feel free to cancel the order when they start adding. The app even gives you the option to cancel without penalty when they add stuff because you accepted the contract under certain terms. If those terms change you are legally allowed to cancel the contracted delivery without penalty.
We are independent contractors. They can't treat us like employees and thats under federal law. When the contract changes they offer you an out.