Tips for starting your own Amazon delivery business
NEW YORK – Amazon wants you to deliver its packages for them. The online retailer launched a new program this week that helps people in the United States start their own businesses delivering Amazon packages. The move gives Amazon another way to ship its packages to shoppers, instead of relying on UPS, FedEx and other package delivery services.
Amazon.com Inc. says the costs to start a delivery business begin at $10,000, and those created under the program would operate 20 to 40 vans and employ between 40 and 100 people.
Here’s what else to know:
Who it’s for
Amazon says those with little or no logistics experience can apply. Those that already have a package delivery business can sign up, too. If they are approved to join the program, Amazon says those businesses can continue to deliver packages for other companies.
How does it work
Those interested first need to apply at its website, logitstics.amazon.com. The company will vet applicants and figure out if you’re the right fit. There’s also three weeks of training, including a trip to Amazon headquarters in Seattle, which you’ll pay for as part of the startup costs. At the training, Amazon says you’ll learn about its shipping operations and spend time in the field with an existing delivery provider.
What Amazon provides
Amazon says it will offer support to business owners and those wanting to start a delivery business, including discounts on insurance, technology and other services.
Those that are accepted to the program will also be able to lease Amazon-branded vans and buy Amazon-branded uniforms for drivers to wear. But keep in mind that those vans can only be used to deliver Amazon packages.
What to know
The new business would be responsible for hiring staff, and Amazon would be the customer, paying for the deliveries.
Where do I have to be located?
Amazon says opportunities are available near its 75 delivery stations across the country. A map is available at logistics.amazon.com./marketing/getting-started.
Will this put my existing delivery company out of business?
Probably not. There are more packages to be delivered besides the ones shipped by Amazon. And Amazon says it will continue to use other delivery companies, and that this program is just another way to meet the growing amount of packages it needs to ship.