Q. What is required to become a PICKUP driver?
A. It’s pretty simple!
- You are a good guy (we especially like firefighters, police officers and military personnel).
- You own a full sized pickup truck in good, reliable working order (model yr 2000 or later).
- Your truck has current registration and meets your State requirements for insurance, inspections, licenses, etc.
- You have a good driving record and can pass a background check.
- You are legally able to work in the United States.
- You are physically fit (can lift at least 50 lbs and perform basic loading and securement).
Q. How long does it take for my application to be approved?
A. The first step is to complete your profile in its entirety. Once that’s done we’ll be in touch within 5-10 business days (depending on number of applicants and available opportunities) to discuss further if you qualify. You’ll then be invited to complete a background check, which typically takes 3-5 business days for processing. Once that’s approved, you’ll be invited to an on-boarding class and truck inspection, and then you’ll be out on the road making $$ with your pickup truck!
Q. What kind of phone do I need for your driver app?
A. Currently our driver app is only available on iPhone 5 or later. We’ll be in touch if you qualify after you’ve completed an online profile.
Q. What equipment will I need?
A. Of course you need your truck. We suggest this minimum set of equipment for running: 8’ x 10’ waterproof tarp with tie down grommets, 27’ x 3” (quantity 3) ratcheting tie downs (good working condition), adjustable bungee cargo net (36” x 47” or greater), quilts or moving blankets (quantity 3), various sized single bungee cords, furniture dolly and/or collapsible dolly (hand truck). Other items may be necessary. You will need to procure these items and maintain them in your truck when you’re available for PICKUP runs.
Q. How much money can I make?
A. Up to $50 per hour. PICKUP has set a goal for an average run to generate about $25 for you, plus tips. Tips are all yours and are paid through the app to you at full value (less transaction fees). The more helpful you are – especially on pickup and drop off – the more tips you can earn.
Q. How and when do I get paid?
A. You are paid on an at least weekly basis to the account you set up in Stripe. If you need to change your bank account or other details you can do so by logging directly into Stripe with the account you connected to your PICKUP driver profile (we recommend you use the same email address to do so).
Q. How am I insured?
A. Your customer’s goods are insured by PICKUP up to $20,000 in value. Your personal insurance is the primary protection for you and your vehicle. You should check with your insurance company to ensure that you are adequately covered to operate your pickup truck as an independent business owner. In addition to the insurance you carry, PICKUP carries excess coverage.
Q. Who is responsible for the customer’s goods while they are in my pickup truck?
A. You are primarily responsible. You should ensure that all goods are safely stowed and secured in your truck before driving. The goods are insured for replacement or repair.
Q. What is expected of me during a PICKUP run?
A. Think about it like you are moving something for your grandmother. Customers will expect your assistance with loading, securement and unloading. You should have adequate securement devices in your truck at any time you are on the PICKUP platform. Note also that customers are more likely to tip a helpful, courteous, and respectful driver.
Q. What about big or heavy items?
A. Customers are alerted that big items, heavy items, or both require them to arrange for loading and unloading assistance. Do not attempt to lift, load or move something you are not confident is safe without help from customer or their agent. If they have not arranged for help, you can politely remind them of their obligation as explained in the app. Either you or the customer can cancel or reject the run at that time.
Q. What happens if I get in an accident with someone’s goods in my truck?
A. If you have an accident and it is an emergency, please call 911 first. If it is not an emergency, or once the emergency has been managed and it is safe, contact us through accident support in the driver app menu.
Here are a few other helpful guidelines when you are in an accident:
- Stay calm.
- Take photos of the property damage and accident scene
- Do not to take photos of injured persons. It is disrespectful to the injured parties.
- Cooperate with the police and the police investigation.
- Be polite and professional to all parties no matter the circumstances.
- Do not admit fault and/or liability for the accident. You may not have all the facts in the case.
Q. What do I do if there is no one there at my drop off location?
A. If the customer has selected the option for no one necessary at drop off, you may drop off the item at the ordered location. If they have not, you should call or text the drop off contact or the customer for instructions. When leaving items unattended, try to locate them in a relatively safe and secure location. Include enough of the location where you left the item in the picture you take with the driver app so it is distinguishable if there’s an issue.
Q. You are in business for yourself. How can you grow your business?
A. The best way to help grow your own business is to do the following in order:
- Alert your friends and family about your new business – Provide them with fliers, your business cards and other promotional items.
- Promote your business to your neighbors and your neighborhood association or community. Put fliers in windows or near mailboxes
- Visit small businesses in your neighborhood and let them know what you are doing. Leave them materials.
- Big box store parking lots are great places to go and distribute materials or talk to people trying to move large items.
Q. What does it mean to be an Independent Contractor?
A. Instead of being a PICKUP employee, you are classified as an independent business owner (1099). This means that you have complete latitude for how and when you work and you collect revenues for your business in exchange for the work you do. PICKUP is your marketing and technology partner. At the end of the year, you will receive a statement of your earnings from PICKUP. We do not withhold taxes from your pay, so you receive 100% of your earnings. You are responsible for the payment of all federal, state, and local taxes. You should contact a tax professional to understand what it means to be paid on 1099 status.
Q. How far am I expected to drive for a run?
A. The app will limit the customer to a maximum 50 mile distance between pickup and drop off. Most PICKUP runs we see are less than 10 miles between pickup and drop off.
Q. How long does a typical pickup run take?
A. In metro areas, most are less than an hour.
Q. Can I borrow a friend’s truck or use my work truck for PICKUP?
A. Nope. You need to be a legally registered owner and a named insured driver on the pickup you intend to use for PICKUP. You also cannot loan your pickup to a friend to run PICKUP runs.
Q. Are there things I’m not supposed to move with PICKUP?
A. You can move about anything that will fit in the bed of your full-sized pickup truck. We do practice good sense and adhere to the law, so here are the things we just can’t move:
- No people or animals in bed or cab.
- No illegal items.
- No hazardous materials. (includes but is not limited to: explosives, gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids, poisonous or infectious substances, radioactive material, corrosives. For a full list of prohibited items, see the FMCSA Regulations).
- No firearms, ammunition or other explosive materials.
- No articles of exceptional value (antiques, fine art, jewels/jewelry, gold or other precious metals). Items are insured for replacement value up to $20,000. Any value over this amount is considered exceptional value.
- In addition, do not put anything in your truck that you do not feel confident is safe and acceptable.
Q. What if something happens to my pickup truck during a run?
A. You and your insurance will be responsible for repairing any damage, just as if you were loaning your pickup to a friend.
Q. I have a topper or a tonneau on my pickup, can I leave them on?
A. No. Customers have the expectation that you and your pickup truck will arrive with an open, empty bed, ready for their goods.
Q. Can I pick up from a store if the customer is not present?
A. Yes. In many cases the store will want to know that you are an authorized agent for the customer. You may need to have the customer send you a photo of a receipt or other ownership document. Often a simple call from the customer instructing the store will suffice.
Q. What if I get lost?
A. You should map your route prior to departing pick up location using your smart phone’s application for navigational travel. If you do get lost, call or text the customer (or the pickup or dropoff contact) with the problem and use your navigation to get back on track. If the delay causes the customer charge to be disputed, have them contact us through the app (or email to ), and our team will work with you to understand the issue and correct any customer charges.
Q. What if I forget to use the app to complete a run?
A. Complete the run and contact us through the app (or email to ) with an estimate of the time you spent and mileage. We’ll be in touch to sort it out with you.
