If you’re one of many people who are planning on taking a trip this holiday season, there’s a way you can help score some extra gas money while you’re on the road. The peer-to-peer delivery app Roadie lets drivers take other peoples’ items with them on their journey, be it across town or across the country.
The idea came to the app’s creator, Marc Golin, when he considered the 250 million cars on the road at any given time. Wanting to make the best use of those travelers, Golin invented Rodie, telling TechCrunch last year that the app had a quarter million downloads and over 20,000 drivers signed up to deliver. In a world that’s quickly-adjusted to the sharing economy, the idea is that deliveries made by those who are already en route will also help cut down on emissions.
As far as using the app, shipments are broken down by size, from small (like a set of keys), to huge (like a piece of furniture), and there’s even has a separate option to transport pets — provided they’re in a crate, of course. Users are required to take at least one picture of what you’re sending along, and you can track your package in real-time, and even chat with the driver for periodic updates. Each shipment is automatically insured for $500, though additional insurance can be purchased for up to $10,000.
Unlike similar services like Postmates or UberRUSH, Roadie lets you pick your driver beforehand, and has even partnered with Waffle House so users and drivers can meet at a neutral location for drop-off and pick-up. To sweeten the deal, if you tell the Waffle House you’re there for a Roadie exchange, you can get a free waffle and beverage while you’re in the restaurant. So, you can make some extra cash, help someone out, and get a free waffle. Sounds like a win-win-win scenario.
(Via: TechCrunch)