Hello.
As the title says: I work delivering packages purchased through Mercado Libre for different clients. (Montevideo) I've been wanting to make this post for a while now. It's going to be a mix of rant and tips for a more relaxed shopping experience.
- DO NOT use a landline number as your contact number.
I've seen quite a few people do this, which is a huge mistake. It's much harder to communicate that way. The best option is a cell phone number with WhatsApp active. It seems obvious, but it seems many people just don't get it (except for elderly people who barely know how to use a phone).
EDIT: Si tienen una empresa, PYME, emprendimiento o lo que sea. Y tienen ese numero de telefono asociado a WhatsApp, eviten ponerlo como telefono de contacto.
WhatsApp muchas veces bloquea las llamadas a esos numeros y ahora mucha gente tiene bots de respuesta automática. Por lo que los mensajes de “llegué” o “estoy afuera” quedan perdidos.
- Pay attention. If you ordered something and know it's coming, you need to keep an eye on your phone.
I understand that some people receive their packages during work hours, but if you know that might happen, leave notes or references with an alternate phone number.
- If you live on the outskirts of Montevideo, your package won't arrive before 5 pm, please understand.
People from Melilla, Lezica, Colón, Manga, etc…
Most of the stores we buy from are in the south of the city (if not all of them are downtown). We have to pick up the packages from those stores, then distribute them, and finally take them to the delivery route. For logistical reasons, the routes don't start in the outskirts.
The same applies to people from La Paz, Las Piedras, Progreso, Toledo, and Ciudad de la Costa.
98% of the things you buy on MercadoLibre either come from or pass through Montevideo. If they arrive, they'll arrive late.
- Make sure you enter and spell your address correctly.
It seems unbelievable that I have to say this, but yes, it happens. It's incredible how people don't even know where they live, and the worst part is that they then complain when their order doesn't arrive.
And I'll say it again: USE LANDMARKS. Including the street corner, saying it's across from a store, anything helps.
Ideally, though, it should always be: Street name and house number.
If you live in the interior of the country where the streets are a mess, the numbers are repeated, and/or the houses don't have numbers... It's easier to just put "main street" and "corner," then adjust it manually on the map, and you're done.
- Red Zones.
This is pretty specific, but if you know you live in a slum or red zone, you need to be aware of that. The delivery person is a worker just like you, and often an independent contractor; nobody pays them more than the price of the package they're delivering.
I've had it happen where I deliver packages on the main street, which is usually better paved and has more space, to people who live in an alleyway that's barely a meter and a half wide. And they get angry; "I thought you were going to deliver it to my doorstep." Dude... use your head.
- Avoid ordering to your workplace.
I know it's often unavoidable, but if they can order to your home, all the better. Unless it's being received at the office reception, it's extremely inconvenient to deliver it like this.
I'll say it again: If you're in the suburbs or the countryside, it's going to arrive late; you'll already be home. Put your home address.
I know there are exceptions to everything I said. And every logistics company operates differently, but in my experience, what I've said applies to 95% of people.
I'm reading your comments.
EDIT:
Ayer tuve un encuentro hermoso con un cliente. Eran las 4:15pm, llego a su ubicación (edificio), lo llamo para avisarle que estoy abajo, y el genio no tuvo mejor idea que atenderme la llamada gritando: “¡¿POR QUE NO TOCAN EL TIMBRE?!” A lo que por supuesto, le contesté que por favor no me gritara, simplemente le estoy avisando que llegué para entregar su paquete. Claramente el prófugo del ácido fólico, me siguió gritando e indignado me dice: ¡ESTA VEZ VOY A BAJAR!
Buenísimo, pensé yo.
2 minutos después el tipo aparece en la puerta del edificio, le recibe otro paquete a otra repartidora, le entrego el que yo tenia para él y ni pio me dijo.
Super valiente el tipo al teléfono, en persona, un cagon mas.
El edificio no tenia ni porteria virtual ni portero. ¿Como esperaba recibir el paquete él? Solo yeezus sabe.
60 pesos me pagaron por entregar ese paquete.