3 ridiculously simple things you can do to help your UPS driver

As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, some folks I’ve delivered to have expressed their appreciation with kind words (in person or on handmade signs), snacks, and occasionally token gifts.

I welcome all of these gestures. But with the holidays behind us, and more winter ahead of us, I’d gladly trade all of that for the following three things:

1. Clearly marked address. I’m shocked by the percentage of residences where I’ve had to hunt for the house number. It should not be as difficult as it sometimes is. My UPS-provided navigation system isn’t always precise; even Google Maps can get it wrong. Please make sure your complete house number is easily visible from the street.

This is especially important after dark. The sun sets at 4 pm or earlier here in winter, so it’s not uncommon for me to be out making deliveries one, two, or even three hours in pitch black, in neighborhoods with little or no lighting. If you’re expecting a delivery, please provide ample lighting out front of your home.

Not only is this helpful in identifying where you live, but it also helps with my next request:

2. Clear path to your doorstep. People are usually pretty good about shoveling their driveway and sidewalk areas, and digging out the cars they’ve parked on the street. They’re not always as good about the path from the sidewalk to the front door. Please make sure that the path to your doorstep is free from ice, snow, and other hazards.

Aside from bad weather, the biggest hazard I face on route is dogs. Too many people leave their dogs unattended in their front yard. I have to decide whether or not to take a chance with a dog I don’t know and who doesn’t know me. I’d rather not have to. If you’re expecting a delivery, please stay with your dog outside or keep your dog inside or in the back yard.

3. Clear understanding of what I need from you. Aside from a safe place to park and a safe path from my vehicle to your door, I often don’t need anything else from a customer. Many of the deliveries I make are what are called ‘shipper release’ or ‘driver release’, meaning I can simply leave the package without interacting with anyone.

In those instances I look for a reasonably secure (but still convenient) release location, ring the bell, knock loudly a few times (in case the bell is broken or no one can hear it), and then walk away.

Occasionally, however, the shipper requires a signature. Although in this present pandemic I don’t obtain an actual signature, I still need to interact with an actual person from the delivery address. (In a few instances that person needs to be 21 or older.) In these cases if no one answers the door, I’m forced to try again. So please, if you hear me knocking or ringing the bell a second time, you should know that you won’t receive your delivery if you don’t answer.

Also, if you know (or even think) you won’t be home when I stop by, please give me your signature in advance.

Something similar applies to residences where there is no reasonably secure location out front. If you’re concerned about your delivery being stolen or exposed to the elements, please leave instructions on where else I can leave it (side door, back door, inside a lockable container, with a neighbor, etc).

And that’s it! I realize that I have no control over the weather, but if I can get just a bit of cooperation from my customers, then everyone wins!

I’d love your questions or feedback, so please feel free to leave them in the comment box below.