Amazon grey vans

[Mcr Warrior]

Amazon's grey delivery vans are everywhere these days, but most of them look like they've had a few bumps.

Never seen any in my neck of the woods. Royal Mail and DPD vans, yes (and, of course, they may well be delivering Amazon stuff), but Amazon grey vans, no. The majority of delivery drivers for Amazon seem to be using private cars or vans, invariably somewhat well loaded with parcels, usually with early evening delivery times.

 

[DarloRich]

We shouldn’t really accept this as a fact of life though. Notwithstanding that it increases insurance premiums for all of us (which ultimately filters through into overall costs of everything that relies on an element of transport), it’s also a safety hazard.

i dont have a car so my premium is fine but your point is a fair one. I didn't say I accepted it just that I understood where it came from.

I would also say that not everyone learnt to drive in the UK and cultural approaches to driving and car care differ by nation. The Italians for example..............

 

[Peter Sarf]

We shouldn’t really accept this as a fact of life though. Notwithstanding that it increases insurance premiums for all of us (which ultimately filters through into overall costs of everything that relies on an element of transport), it’s also a safety hazard.

One of the many negative lasting elements of Covid is the proliferation of delivery vehicles. The supermarket ones are another scourge round here. I’d be quite happy to see Ocado in particular go bust.

Yes and these vans are likely to be hitting other vehicles - like my car and your car !.

i dont have a car so my premium is fine but your point is a fair one. I didn't say I accepted it just that I understood where it came from.

I would also say that not everyone learnt to drive in the UK and cultural approaches to driving and car care differ by nation. The Italians for example..............

I have noticed a budding culture in this country where minor dents and scrapes are accepted as a fact of life - depressing. Some people drive by touch !. Had someone reverse into me - said they usually feel the resistance - all I know is I felt them hit my tow bar !. The tow bar seemed fine !.

What I really notice is driving on the wrong side of the road (particularly mini cab office near me) and delivery bikes on pavements or wrong way along one way streets - going quite fast. Had an electric bike nearly remove my left ear as I looked right before crossing a side turning to its central island, he was whizzing along turning right very close to the curb and leaning over. Nearly contacted me before I even stepped into the road !.

Main thing I encounter with delivery vans is stopping where they like and blocking the traffic, thats apart from noticing the dents and scrapes (some quite pronounced) on the grey ones. I usually observe more of these details from the top at the front of a bus.

 

[DarloRich]

Main thing I encounter with delivery vans is stopping where they like and blocking the traffic

again - if I have to do say, 50, deliveries in an hour to get paid I will be abandoning where I need to rather than where I should!

 

[OscarH]

again - if I have to do say, 50, deliveries in an hour to get paid I will be abandoning where I need to rather than where I should!

Yup this. I don't think anyone would agree the situation is safe or okay, but the blame lies almost entirely at the foot of Amazon and the other delivery companies, rather than underpaid workers, or consumers given unrealistic promises

 

[Peter Sarf]

again - if I have to do say, 50, deliveries in an hour to get paid I will be abandoning where I need to rather than where I should!

Oh yes, I agree, it is an inevitable result of the impossible pressure the delivery driver is under.

It really needs some legislation but the slow lumbering government will need a decade to legislate for the bleedin' obvious. How long did it take to tax oversized SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles, = Large, high & wide four wheel drive cars) at a level that discourages their needless purchase ?. Nothing much being done about all these unregistered electric bikes.

 

[bramling]

again - if I have to do say, 50, deliveries in an hour to get paid I will be abandoning where I need to rather than where I should!

If there was actually some chance of this sort of thing being enforced then they wouldn’t do it as the economic scales would tip the other way.

But, as ever, most traffic enforcement centres around speed cameras and town centre parking areas - in other words the low-hanging fruit.

 

[DarloRich]

Yup this. I don't think anyone would agree the situation is safe or okay, but the blame lies almost entirely at the foot of Amazon and the other delivery companies, rather than underpaid workers, or consumers given unrealistic promises

and our desire for having that product NOW!

 

[bramling]

Oh yes, I agree, it is an inevitable result of the impossible pressure the delivery driver is under.

It is reasonable to make the point than no one forces them to do the job. But for their part these companies should be more responsible employers.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Jun 2024 ==

and our desire for having that product NOW!

This goes back to the whole decline of shops. If I truly want something NOW then the best way to achieve that is, in theory, to find a local shop that stocks it.

Just thinking round here, a generation ago in this town there was a B&Q, a Halfords, Argos, Wilkinson, as well as plenty of independent places selling more specialist stuff, and even better all were within walking distance from my house. All now gone, such is progress.

Now apart from the pound shops, the focal point of the town is Boots. But even there half of the time a given item is out of stock.

 

[RyanOPlasty]

At least Greater Manchester Police have started taking action on damaged and unsafe Amazon vans. This is not the first similar post: From Twitter

 

[Western 52]

At least Greater Manchester Police have started taking action on damaged and unsafe Amazon vans. This is not the first similar post: From Twitter

Good to see them taking action. Most Amazon vans round here look like those pictures.

 

[whoosh]

At least Greater Manchester Police have started taking action on damaged and unsafe Amazon vans. This is not the first similar post: From Twitter

Love the slight blurring to protect the logo - but it's still obvious. And the phrase "prime position".

 

[richw]

Amazon have started demanding damage is repaired and vans kept in good appearance.
2 delivery service partners in Cornwall have gone bust in recent weeks. One allegedly with a high 6 figure damages bill

 

[Western 52]

Amazon have started demanding damage is repaired and vans kept in good appearance.
2 delivery service partners in Cornwall have gone bust in recent weeks. One allegedly with a high 6 figure damages bill

As I was reading your post, an Amazon van went past here, completed with a long dent at roof level!

 

[jon0844]

I saw a post from a police force where a driver was punished for a vehicle with substantial damage. Now clearly they should have refused to take the van if the damage was present already, but many people pointed out that they'd likely end up out of a job if they stood up - which makes the whole situation worse.

Indeed, a lot of that damage may involve other people's property - and is it being reported or are there many hit and runs (over the years, on our road there have been multiple crashes with cars on the main road and the offenders not stopping - one car was actually written off because of its age and it being pushed into another vehicle).

Amazon will of course say that it is abiding by all rules and standards, and no driver is expected to take an unroadworthy vehicle out. Ideally not only would the driver be given a fine/points for road offences, but anything that could be attributed to poor maintenance would be down to Amazon - although by the sound of if they've thought ahead and by outsourcing can just throw sub-contractors under a bus. I'd expect nothing less.

Amazon is now putting drivers under extreme pressure, and my doorbell camera now just shows them parking on the verge outside my house, jumping out, running to the door, throwing it on the doorstep (for all passers by to potentially steal), sometimes taking a photo, then running off. I don't even get them bothering to ring the doorbell anymore. They're supposed to use a safe place if no answer, and it's even marked down as being a request for them to wait longer at the door, but they don't do any of that. Time is money - or perhaps their job.

Then they jump back in the van, maybe drive for 20 metres or so, park again, run out to the next drop that can sometimes be just a few doors away.

They always look stressed. It's no wonder the vans are getting battered. So are verges getting torn up, parcels being stolen and loads of other issues that wouldn't have to exist if they were not expected to work so hard.

Amazon will then say 'but if you want a better service, you'll need to pay more' and they've already imposed delivery charges for some deliveries once free on Prime, but despite paying £1.99 when it was free before, this has happened before the service got this bad. Trust me, the extra money isn't going to the drivers.

 

[WibbleWobble]

The other problem with Amazon (and most other delivery firms) is that the drivers literally throw them anywhere when parking. I filed a formal complaint to them earlier this week, as one driver parked completely on the pavement and when I questioned him he just said "how do you want me to make this delivery then?". He just expected me to walk out into a busy main road to get past the van.

Needless to say Amazon were not impressed.

 

[jon0844]

The other problem with Amazon (and most other delivery firms) is that the drivers literally throw them anywhere when parking. I filed a formal complaint to them earlier this week, as one driver parked completely on the pavement and when I questioned him he just said "how do you want me to make this delivery then?". He just expected me to walk out into a busy main road to get past the van.

Needless to say Amazon were not impressed.

But what does Amazon do about it? I give a rating for every bad delivery and nothing happens. I've tried to make a more formal complaint, but get fobbed off, but their bots look for posts on social media so if I say anything there they pop up to say 'Oh no! We hate to hear stories like that, please use <link to webchat> so we can solve it'. I guess to other people that sounds like they care.

But then, yet again, nothing happens.

And guess what, now besides me giving a thumbs down for each delivery, I don't bother jumping through hoops to complain any more. Problem solved, for Amazon at least.

Ironically, I wouldn't have a problem with them parking on my driveway to do a delivery - but that would take more time, as they'd need to carefully reverse out onto the main road, which is why they just park in the most convenient place for them and they'll naturally argue that they're only going to be there for a minute or so, so 'just go around'. It isn't just Amazon; Ocado, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and all the other supermarkets all park blocking pavements and even roads to do their deliveries and they're usually there a lot longer. Sometimes leads to cars driving along the pavement to get around.

We all seem to accept this as normal now, and it isn't going to change because they're on the clock.

 

[WibbleWobble]

To be fair, the agent said it would be passed on to the local delivery manager - that's probably as much as they could do.

 

[jon0844]

To be fair, the agent said it would be passed on to the local delivery manager - that's probably as much as they could do.

I think this is the issue. Amazon will never be found liable as they're just as concerned about the problems as you or me.

But the local delivery managers have targets to meet.

 

[nap666]

Not just Amazon, DPD etc. parking dangerously, had one pull off f/path as I walked the dog past it, nearly run the dog over with back wheels, I wont go past them if they are in the cab unless I bang on side to get attention, but have started deliberately knocking mirrors back if they are on the footpath, naughty I know.

 

[jon0844]

Not just Amazon, DPD etc. parking dangerously, had one pull off f/path as I walked the dog past it, nearly run the dog over with back wheels, I wont go past them if they are in the cab unless I bang on side to get attention, but have started deliberately knocking mirrors back if they are on the footpath, naughty I know.

Problem is they'll likely just keep driving without being able to use the mirrors you pushed in, putting other people at greater risk.

 

[mpthomson]

the excesses will be significant that anything short of a total loss will be within the excess , the insurance carried will primarily be for the benefit of third parties

It's unlikely they'll be insured via an insurance company at all. Amazon will self-insure as most large fleet (ie MOD, councils, police, bus companies, Highways England etc etc) owners do. A bond is placed as it's cheaper just to repair their own vehicles and pay out any 3rd party claims rather than insure them commercially.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Jul 2024 ==

If there was actually some chance of this sort of thing being enforced then they wouldn’t do it as the economic scales would tip the other way.

But, as ever, most traffic enforcement centres around speed cameras and town centre parking areas - in other words the low-hanging fruit.

There are few places where it isn't legal to stop to deliver something, including on double yellows.

 

[jon0844]

There are few places where it isn't legal to stop to deliver something, including on double yellows.

Leaving the van for too long can still result in a ticket, which is probably why drivers literally park, drop, drive 10 metres, stop, drop, drive 10 more metres....

In all seriousness, new build estates should possibly consider loading bays for deliveries (and existing ones creating bays or lined off areas for the same purpose) - although I assume residents would soon just park there without actual enforcement.

 

[mpthomson]

Leaving the van for too long can still result in a ticket, which is probably why drivers literally park, drop, drive 10 metres, stop, drop, drive 10 more metres....

In all seriousness, new build estates should possibly consider loading bays for deliveries (and existing ones creating bays or lined off areas for the same purpose) - although I assume residents would soon just park there without actual enforcement.

‘Too long’ in this instance is over 40 minutes as that’s the time limit for loading/ unloading mostly.

 

[jon0844]

‘Too long’ in this instance is over 40 minutes as that’s the time limit for loading/ unloading mostly.

But usually they're on you if you leave the vehicle unattended for a long time. As the drivers work alone and wouldn't want to be leaving the door(s) open, I assume that they prefer to keep moving along the street. Obviously there's less to carry too, although I see them doing the same even if they are carrying packets that can go through letterboxes.

 

[mpthomson]

But usually they're on you if you leave the vehicle unattended for a long time. As the drivers work alone and wouldn't want to be leaving the door(s) open, I assume that they prefer to keep moving along the street. Obviously there's less to carry too, although I see them doing the same even if they are carrying packets that can go through letterboxes.

As long as you're visibly loading/unloading then you're fine.

 

[Sun Chariot]

As long as you're visibly loading/unloading then you're fine.

Not always.
Our cul-de-sac has single yellow line (parking not allowed 9-5 on weekdays). We had building works done 3 years ago and further works last year.
On both occasions, the local ticket enforcement folk - despite us protesting to them about it - slapped tickets onto bullders' trucks, during their unloading of material for our house.
Strangely, when the term-time parents block our cul-de-sac with their SUVs, rather than a two-minute drive to the actual school car-park, the ticket enforcement team is nowhere to be found....

 

[jon0844]

Not always.
Our cul-de-sac has single yellow line (parking not allowed 9-5 on weekdays). We had building works done 3 years ago and further works last year.
On both occasions, the local ticket enforcement folk slapped tickets on the bullders' trucks while they nloaded material for our house, despite us protesting about it.
Strangely, when the term-time parents block our cul-de-sac with their SUVs, rather than a two-minute drive to the actual school car-park, the ticket enforcement team is nowhere to be found....

I assume the driver has to pay any parking fines too?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I assume the driver has to pay any parking fines too?

Assuming there aren't "no loading" kerb markings, they will probably be overturned on appeal.

 

[Sun Chariot]

I assume the driver has to pay any parking fines too?

Yes absolutely