**Here are the main cons of working as a Roadie driver, based on common driver feedback from reviews on Indeed, Glassdoor, Trustpilot, Reddit, and other forums.**
### Key Disadvantages:
- **Low and Unpredictable Pay**: Many drivers report that payouts often don't cover gas, vehicle wear-and-tear, or time effectively — especially after accounting for return trips (which aren't always compensated). Gigs frequently pay below market value, with complaints of "insulting" rates, slashed payouts over time, and difficulty achieving a good hourly rate. It's rarely viable as primary income in lower-demand areas.
- **Inconsistent Gig Availability**: Work volume varies greatly by location, time, and day. In slower markets, you might wait a long time with few or no worthwhile offers. High competition and selective acceptance mean it's unreliable for steady earnings.
- **Poor or Nonexistent Support**: Driver support (chat/phone) is a frequent complaint — slow responses, unhelpful agents, long wait times, or no real-time assistance. Issues with gigs, cancellations, or app problems can leave you stranded or unpaid.
- **App Glitches and Technical Issues**: Drivers report frequent bugs, crashes, loading problems, GPS inaccuracies, and difficulties completing deliveries or logging in. These can waste time and lead to lost opportunities or penalties.
- **Vehicle Wear, Expenses, and No Reimbursement**: You use your own car/truck/van with no mileage/gas reimbursement in most cases. Long or inefficient routes add up quickly in costs. Larger items can also risk damage to your vehicle.
- **Risk of Deactivation or Account Issues**: Accounts can be locked/deactivated over complaints, ratings, cancellations, or policy violations (sometimes disputed). Appeals exist but can be slow or ineffective, leading to sudden loss of income.
- **Other Frustrations**:
- Gigs can be canceled with minimal/no pay after you've driven.
- Pickup/drop-off locations may be inconvenient, unsafe, or poorly coordinated.
- Variable wait times at stores (e.g., items not ready).
- No guaranteed work, and potential for "shadow banning" or unfair gig distribution complaints.
**Overall**, Roadie works best as a **supplemental, flexible side hustle** for drivers who are highly selective, in busy areas, with efficient vehicles (e.g., trucks for bigger loads), and who can multi-app. Many drivers emphasize treating it casually and avoiding low-paying gigs, but experiences are highly location-dependent and results vary. Check the app in your area for current gig volume and read recent local reviews before committing significant time.