I have completed four Postmates shifts since being on-boarded, and they were exactly what I expected.

The system is actually fairly simple: A customer places an order via the Postmates app (either by selecting from a pre-set menu or typing out a custom shopping list), Postmates HQ dispatches it to the nearest available courier via an algorithm that factors in scheduled priority, distance, and target destination, and the courier (such as myself) can choose to reject or accept the job depending on ability to deliver in a timely fashion, and other preferences.

Needless to say, the nature of the job takes the courier all over the city, which is exactly what I wanted.

My first shift started out turbulent in the sense that a car U-turned into me within the first hour at 5th and Market. While I did miss two jobs as I was washing out my bloody hands at a somewhat ghetto Subway Sandwiches run by absolute sweethearts after spectacularly cursing out the driver in the heart of Downtown San Francisco, I will not dwell on this. The first job I did accept was a complete error as far as profiting goes, but a great decision for a workout; what I mean is some other yuppy decided to order a personal pizza from the Mission and pay approximately $15 for delivery to Pacific Heights and I was dumb enough to take the job. The lesson I learned from this is while deliveries can satisfy my desire for a workout regardless of payout, I am absolutely unequipped to deliver pizza and keep it presentable.

Since then I've been a lot more careful in reading over what it is to be delivered while keeping in mind my limited means for transporting goods. The total amount I have earned so far is roughly $60, with nearly $40 of that coming from 2.25 hours of work on a Sunday morning. I made $37 tonight over 2.5 hours which I will expect to see in my checking account in a week's time.

This is also enough for a Chrome Cast. Or just one of my Sushi dinners, calories and expense free.