Is Gopuff legit? Is it an ideal side hustle for people looking to make some extra cash? Read on to discover all there is to know about Gopuff. Make an informed decision!
Delivery gigs are some of the easiest ways to earn extra cash during your free time. They also offer convenience for customers who do not have time to go shopping themselves or want to order food from home.
Gopuff is one of the many delivery apps that bring convenience for customers and cash for drivers. However, with so many delivery apps popping up every now and then, the question about the legitimacy of such apps always comes up. So, is Gopuff legit?
Well, the simple answer is yes. According to customer reviews and our extensive search, it is safe to say that the platform is a legit one. However, to put more meat to this answer, let’s get a complete overview of the Gopuff platform.
What is Gopuff?
Gopuff is an on-demand delivery service that offers users convenience items like food and groceries that are delivered in 30 minutes or less. The company came to life in 2013 by co-founders Rafael Ilishayev and Yakir Gola. Having operated in this market for a decade is one indication that Gopuff is not a scam.
GoPuff delivery service has significantly grown over the years, and it’s now operating in over 1,000 cities across North America. Gopuff appeals to consumers who want instant deliveries and provides delivery drivers with flexible work opportunities.
The company has over 500 self-owned fulfillment centers. From here, customers’ orders can be packed and dispatched for delivery. This adds more convenience both for the customer and the delivery driver.
The company stocks over 3,000 products, including food, alcohol, over-the-counter medications, baby products, pet products, office supplies, and electronics. You can order almost any convenience item from Gopuff.
How Does Gopuff Work?
Is Gopuff legit? If this is your question, you are probably thinking of becoming a delivery driver. As such, you need to understand the company’s business model first. This will make your delivery job pretty easy once you join Gopuff.
The Gopuff business model is based on owning and operating a network of small, local warehouses called micro-fulfillment centers. These centers are strategically located in cities and stocked with commonly ordered items.
When a customer places an order through the Gopuff app or website, the order is sent to the micro-fulfillment center closest to the delivery address. Gopuff drivers then deliver orders in 30 minutes or less. It even offers late-night deliveries when most stores are closed.
Gopuff is able to offer fast delivery by controlling the entire supply chain. Owning fulfillment centers means orders can be processed and delivered quickly without relying on third-party stores or restaurants.
How Gopuff Works for Delivery Drivers
Once you are a driver with Gopuff, your job is to fulfill order deliveries to customers on time. The first thing is to accept the order on the driver’s app once the customer makes one. However, you can also choose to decline if you are not in a position to make the delivery.
If you choose to accept, the next step is to go to a micro-fulfillment center and pick up your order. The order comes with a specific micro-fulfillment center where you need to pick up the items. From here, all you need to do is to deliver the order to the customer.
The drivers’ app offers various features where you can manage your account, contact support, schedule a shift, and check your earnings. This allows you to plan your work and see how much money you make for every order or shift.
Who Can Use Gopuff?
Gopuff is available to anyone over the legal purchasing age in their state. It primarily serves college students, young professionals, parents, and anyone else wanting instant, convenient delivery of everyday items.
Gopuff deliveries are only available in areas near a micro-fulfillment center. The company currently operates in over 1,000 cities across North America. Availability can be checked by entering your address on the Gopuff website or app.
The app is also perfect for people looking to make fast money during their free time. By becoming a delivery driver with Gopuff, you can make your free time more productive as you pocket some extra cash.
See Related: Postmates Driver Review: How Much Can you Earn?
How to Join Gopuff as a Delivery Driver
If you wish to become a delivery driver, you must first meet some requirements. For example, you must be over 21 years old to register as a driver. Also, you need a valid driver’s license, and the delivery vehicle must be insured under your name.
From here, all you need is to pass an alcohol delivery course and have a smartphone. Signing up is through Gopuff’s official website. Complete the online application form and provide the necessary documents, and you are good to start making money with Gopuff.
In some locations, you might be required to attend a phone interview. But for most locations, after completing the online application and getting the welcome email, you are all set to start.
Gopuff Features
What makes Gopuff unique? Gopuff offers the following features to make on-demand delivery fast, easy, and reliable:
1. Contactless Deliveries
Gopuff enabled contactless deliveries, which limit driver-customer interactions. Drivers can drop off orders at the door with no customer signature required. This means that you can deliver your orders without ever contacting the customers.
2. Flexible Schedules
With Gopuff, a driver can create working schedules in advance. This means that as a driver, you work when you have time and want to make some extra bucks. You simply need to sign up for delivery blocks that fit your availability through the Gopuff driver app.
The difference between Gopuff and other delivery apps is that you cannot just open the app and start receiving delivery orders. You must schedule your availability. This ensures that you plan your hours well and that the company is never short of available drivers.
3. Micro-Fulfillment Centers
Gopuff stockpiles inventory in hundreds of small, local warehouses. This omnichannel fulfillment model allows rapid order processing and delivery times of 30 minutes or less.
Also, since the orders are packed from a centralized location, it means that a driver only needs to drive to one fulfillment center. From there, they get the entire order that needs to be delivered.
How Much Can You Make with Gopuff?
As a delivery driver, you certainly want to know how much money this gig can help you earn. This allows you to decide whether being a driver with Gopuff is worth your time or not.
Usually, a Gopuff driver’s pay comprises per-delivery fees plus tips. Drivers earn a base rate of $2.25 – $5 per delivery. You also get to keep all the tips you get from clients. Even better, you can deliver several orders at once, which allows you to earn more money in a single ride.
Besides the base rate, there are also weekly bonuses based on the number of deliveries made. For instance, you get:
- $70 after making 40 deliveries in a week
- $90 for 60 deliveries
- $110 for 85 deliveries
- $130 for 110 deliveries
Earnings vary based on order volume, delivery distance, and tips. Drivers in busy metro areas during peak times can earn over $21 per hour.
How Do You Get Paid?
After completing your deliveries, how do you get your money? Does Gopuff pay in cash, PayPal, or a bank account? It is certainly good to know before you start working with Gopuff.
Generally, Gopuff deposits your payments directly to the bank you provided. The payments are made once a week for the orders you completed the previous week. All the tips are included in the payment.
See Related: Doordash Driver Review: How Much Can you Earn?
Is Gopuff Legit?
Yes, Gopuff is a legitimate company. It is a registered business founded in 2013 and is currently used in over 1,000 cities.
Gopuff is transparent about pay rates, requirements, and policies. It provides a real economic opportunity for delivery drivers. However, drivers are considered independent contractors rather than employees.
If you want to be more certain about Gopuff’s legitimacy, look at customer reviews. Most review sites rate the company above 2.5 stars out of 5, which is above average.
Pros of Gopuff
- Flexibility for drivers who want to make money during their free time
- Contactless delivery option
- Great earning potential, up to $20 an hour or more
- Convenience due to numerous micro-fulfillment centers
- Centralized pickup point
- Automatic payments via bank
Cons of Gopuff
- Delivery fees can add up, especially on small orders
- Contractor status gives drivers less protection
Gopuff Reviews
Gopuff is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on the Apple App Store based on over 187,000 ratings. On Google Play, it has a 4.3 out of 5 star rating from over 570,000 reviews.
Trustpilot and Indeed rate the company at 1.6 and 2.8 stars consecutively. This shows that while many customers and drivers trust Gopuff services, some still dislike it.
Most positive reviews praise the quick delivery, convenient service, and smooth ordering experience. Customers like having everyday essentials easily delivered late at night or when they can’t get to the store.
Among drivers, sentiments are mixed. Some appreciate the flexible schedule. But others feel the pay is too inconsistent and reliant on tips. Driving for Gopuff is most viable in busier markets, as they have numerous orders and the pay might also be higher.
Is Gopuff Worth It?
For most customers, Gopuff is a convenient way to get everyday items delivered rapidly at reasonable prices. It makes sense for quick restocking needs or cravings when you want delivery ASAP. But large, planned grocery orders may be cheaper elsewhere.
Driving for Gopuff can be worthwhile part-time work in busy markets where you can earn $15 or more per hour. But it involves the typical tradeoffs of gig driving: unreliable income and lack of benefits or job security. Relying on Gopuff for full-time work may be risky.