A former Postmates driver reveals the 8 biggest mistakes customers make that can waste time and money

Annie Smith worked as a food-delivery driver for Postmates in Murrieta, California, from June to December 2020. Her former employment with Postmates has been verified and made known to Insider.

Smith, who said she was laid off from her full-time job amid the pandemic, launched her own marketing agency. While that was getting off the ground, she said she needed other revenue streams, so she turned to the food-delivery app Postmates.

While working as a driver for Postmates, she met people who made her smile and laugh, and who reminded her of how thankful she is for her life, Smith said.

"I wasn't expecting to have so many cool interactions with people," Smith told Insider.

Although Smith said she loved her side gig, she pointed out common mistakes she saw customers make while using Postmates.

Smith told Insider that there are a few things customers can do to help get their food quicker and make the delivery person feel safer.

Make sure your apartment or house numbers are visible and well-lit at night, Smith said.

She recalled having to get out of her car a few times to check apartment complex maps or search for the right house number.

"If I pulled up to a neighborhood and they had those illuminated street numbers on their house, it was the biggest sigh of relief," Smith said.

Smith added that this also helps the customers get their food fast. There's no driving aimlessly or stopping to figure out which house is right.

Smith said the first thing you should do when you place an order is text the driver your gate code and any helpful directions.

"That's the kind of information I wish I had when I was delivering to apartment complexes," she said. "In the end, it's only going to benefit you because the food is going to get to you faster."

"I wish customers knew that the tip makes up most of what we get paid," Smith said.

Like some service workers, the majority of food-delivery workers' earnings comes from tips. Smith said it's always important to tip your drivers well.

Smith said that turning your porch light on at night always helped her feel a little safer.

It's a simple thing that customers can do that will help create a better experience overall when they're expecting a food delivery, Smith said.

One might initially think that ordering during the peak hours of lunch and dinner might not make sense, but depending where you live, it could actually help you get your food faster, Smith said.

"Most Postmates will wait until the lunch rush or the dinner rush to go out because they know they can get orders consistently," Smith said.

Smith said these hours are typically from noon to 1 p.m. and between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., though rush-hour times can vary based on location.

Smith said that responding in a timely manner to text messages and calls from your delivery person will help you get your meal sooner rather than later.

The driver might have questions about navigating to your delivery address, or about the food order if an item is out of stock.

As a customer on Postmates, Smith said before she orders food, she always checks for promotions.

She explained that often when you log onto the app, a coupon code might pop up. Smith recommends immediately taking a screenshot of the promotion. That way, you can refer back to it later in case it applies to your order.

Smith said this might help you save a few bucks on your next delivery meal.

Your delivery person is just trying to do their job, Smith told Insider.

She recalled a few instances where Postmates assigned her another order halfway through one delivery, which caused the first delivery to be delayed.

"We can't choose who we drop off to first, and we don't know how long we'll be waiting for your order before we get it," she said.

Smith encourages everyone to have patience with delivery workers.

"Generally customers were always really nice," she said. "You're bringing them food, so usually they don't have a reason to be mad at you."