🏍️ Stuart
This article explains how deliveries work with Stuart when used as one of Slerp’s courier partners, including package size limits, driver behaviour, and what makes Stuart different.
Courier Partner: Stuart
Stuart is an on‑demand, last-mile delivery courier company that uses a network of self‑employed riders (mainly bikes, moped, motorbikes, plus a Large motorbike option with a bigger box).
Slerp can route eligible delivery orders to Stuart alongside other courier partners. When multiple fleets are available, the courier that can assign a driver the fastest will usually take the job.
Package size & vehicle types
To make sure orders are accepted and travel safely, it’s important to keep within Stuart’s approximate size limits.
Bike
- Minimum bag dimensions:
- 35 cm (W) x 35 cm (D) x 70 cm (H)
- Best for: small / medium orders that fit comfortably in a standard backpack‑style bag.
Moped / Motorbike
- Thermal bag minimum: 40 cm (W) x 30 cm (D) x 40 cm (H)
- OR thermal backpack minimum: 35 cm (W) x 35 cm (D) x 55 cm (H)
- Best for: slightly larger orders or those needing more protection and stability than a bike.
Stuart Large (Motorbike with top box)
- Thermal top box minimum: 60 cm (W) x 50 cm (D) x 60 cm (H)
- Best for: bulkier orders that won’t safely fit in a standard bag, but are still suitable for a motorbike (not a car/van).
- Note: In London, Large is available instead of a full car service.
These dimensions are a guide to help you judge what will realistically be accepted and transported safely.
Key Stuart behaviours & policies
What makes Stuart different from some other fleets:
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Driver calls the recipient via the app
- For GDPR reasons, the phone number is not shown, but the driver can call through the Stuart app.
- This helps increase successful delivery when access is tricky (gates, offices, flats).
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No waiting fees (currently)
- At present, Stuart does not charge waiting fees.
- If a driver does not want to wait, they will typically self‑cancel, and the job will reopen for other drivers.
- This means you won’t see separate waiting fees from Stuart, but long delays at pickup can still cause delivery issues if multiple riders refuse to wait.
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Cancellation fees when collection is impossible
- If a rider arrives at your venue and is then told:
- to cancel the job, or
- that the shop is closed / order is not available
- Stuart will charge a cancellation fee, as the courier has already travelled to the pick‑up point.
- If a rider arrives at your venue and is then told:
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Automatic returns when the customer is unavailable
- Stuart is currently the only Slerp Courier Partner that will automatically return the order to your venue when:
- There is no concierge or safe place to leave the order.
- The courier has called the recipient multiple times with no answer.
- The recipient requests to deliver to another place/delivery address differs from what's pinned.
- In these cases, the order is brought back to you rather than left unattended.
- Stuart is currently the only Slerp Courier Partner that will automatically return the order to your venue when:
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Proof of Delivery (POD) image is required
- Stuart drivers are expected to capture a clear photo at drop‑off.
- This Proof of Delivery image appears on the delivery tracker link for the order.
- If you cannot see the POD image on the tracker (for example, it’s missing or broken), please contact Slerp Support, who can access it directly and help investigate delivery complaints.
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Coverage
- Stuart has London‑wide coverage and operates in some other areas across the UK.
- Availability can still vary by time of day and local rider supply.
Check these related articles able: Delivery Costs and Waiting Fees
Returns – what you’ll see and what to do
When Stuart returns an order to your venue because the customer was unavailable:
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Order status in Slerp
- The order will be marked as Failed/Cancelled in your Slerp Controls / app.
- The Proof of Delivery image in the tracker will typically show a photo from when the package was returned to your venue.
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Notification from Slerp Support
- The Slerp Support Team will email you once Stuart has confirmed that a return has been initiated.
- This lets you know that a delivery attempt was made but failed, and that the order is en route back to your venue.
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Next steps with the customer
- It’s best practice to contact the customer once you receive this email and explain that:
- A delivery attempt was made.
- The courier could not safely complete delivery (no answer, no safe place, etc).
- The order has been returned to your venue.
- You can then discuss options with the customer (for example, arranging re‑delivery or collection) according to your own policies.
- It’s best practice to contact the customer once you receive this email and explain that:
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Return costs
- The return cost is equivalent to the original delivery cost.
- This return charge is billed to you (the venue), so it’s important to:
- Encourage customers to be available during the selected time slot
- Ensure contact details and access instructions are accurate
For more information on how delivery behaviour, SLAs and time slots work across all courier partners, see: Delivery with Slerp Courier Partners.