A strong customer rating on the Spark Driver app does two things: it signals reliability to Walmart, and it unlocks perks in the Spark Driver Rewards Program.
Knowing how the rating works—and which behaviors actually influence it—helps you protect your standing and your income.
Know What Spark Actually Measures
Spark’s My Metrics show four headline measures: On-time arrival at pickup, Completion Rate, Acceptance Rate, and Customer Rating.
Your Customer Rating is part of eligibility for monthly rewards, so treat it as core performance.
Spark also indicates that rewards eligibility requires completing at least 20 deliveries in a calendar month and maintaining a Green Customer Rating by month-end.
Rewards are evaluated monthly, and program rules can change, so check the official page regularly.
How Ratings Work?
Customers rate Spark deliveries in the Walmart app with a 1–5 star score for the delivery experience, and they can optionally leave written feedback.
That star feedback is aggregated into your Customer Rating shown in My Metrics (e.g., 4.7/5).
Customers can also edit or add a tip after delivery, which is separate from the star rating.
Nail The Handoff: Follow The App’s Delivery Flow
Small details at drop-off drive most customer impressions.
- Use the Navigate button to reach the address, then slide At drop-off location on arrival.
- Read customer notes for gate codes, building numbers, preferred doors, or other instructions.
- When you take the required delivery photo, include the order and the surroundings (e.g., the door with the unit number) so the customer immediately recognizes the location.
- If Spark requests a signature, ask for it before you complete the handoff.
These steps match Spark’s delivery guidance and mirror what customers expect to see.
Use The Customer’s Own Guidance
Walmart encourages customers to add Guided Delivery Instructions—such as “front porch,” “back gate,” access codes, and “leave at my door” preferences.
Your best move is to check those notes before you leave the store and again when you’re close to the address.
Executing the customer’s stated preference improves satisfaction and reduces “can’t find my order” complaints.
Respect Contactless and Container Expectations
For leave-at-door orders, Walmart provides customers with instructions on preparing for unattended delivery, including leaving a container at the drop-off point.
When customers follow this advice and you place items neatly and securely, the final photo looks clean and professional—another nudge toward a five-star rating.
Communicate Just Enough, At The Right Time
You don’t need long texts to get great ratings.
- Before arrival: The app already provides ETAs, but a short “on the way” or “at the gate—code?” message can solve access issues.
- At arrival: If the customer chose hand-off, a quick “I’m here” prompt speeds the meet-up.
- After drop-off: Complete the photo, finalize in-app steps, then move on—Spark’s guidance focuses on documenting the delivery rather than extended post-delivery messaging.
Keep messages brief and professional; rely on Spark’s workflow and documentation to avoid confusion later.
Be Flawless on Age-Restricted Deliveries
For alcohol deliveries, customers must be 21+ and present a valid, non-expired government photo ID.
Spark instructs drivers to inspect and scan the ID; if it’s invalid or missing, the app will prompt an order return—don’t force the handoff.
Customers are informed that drivers will ask for photo ID on delivery and that orders are undeliverable if age can’t be verified.
Doing this by the book protects your rating (and account) by reducing disputes.
Control the Photo—And The Scene
Customers rely on the delivery photo for proof and for locating their order. Include both the order and surroundings, like a unit or house number.
Place bags upright, consolidate fragile items together, and avoid blocking door swings.
Step back far enough to capture the context, then check the image before submitting. This simple habit prevents many “missing order” ratings.
Be Obsessively Accurate With Addresses and Units
Apartments, duplexes, and office parks create the most rating risk.
Cross-check building numbers, unit letters, and access instructions in the notes.
If you can’t reach the exact location safely or accurately, follow Spark’s prompts and contact the customer briefly for clarification.
Document each step in the app (arrival, photo, notes) to keep yourself covered.
Manage Timing The Way Customers Experience It
Two timing moments matter to customers: pickup punctuality and ETA to the door.
While customers don’t see your pickup timestamp, late departures compress delivery windows and raise the chance of a low rating.
Arrive on time at the store (a tracked metric) and leave promptly once the order is staged.
If traffic or access issues slow you down, the best hedge is clean communication at arrival and meticulous placement/photo at the end.
Keep it Clean, Safe, and Sealed
Visual quality influences ratings.
Check that bags are closed or knotted, cold items are kept together, and any cleaning or personal-care products are upright and separated from food.
This is basic delivery care, but it aligns with expectations for contactless and safe handling—customers notice when it’s done well.
What Not to Stress About
It’s easy to fixate on acceptance rate, but Spark says it won’t impact your ability to receive orders.
Focus your energy on the parts customers actually score: precise drop-offs, clean photos, and correct handling of age-restricted items.
That discipline is what shows up in Customer Rating and, by extension, your access to rewards.
Real-World Examples
Spark Driver — Nathan Nephew’s delivery routine
Spark profiled driver Nathan Nephew, who reports better customer responses when he checks delivery notes, confirms if a signature is required, and takes a proof-of-delivery photo that shows the door/address plus items. His checklist is presented by Spark as practices to “create the best experience,” the same cues customers score in post-delivery ratings.
Spark Driver — Alicia Snow’s “kindness” touches
A Spark spotlight on Alicia Snow highlights simple, repeatable touches — short thank-you notes with orders and a consistently warm hand-off — as ways she “brightens the day of each customer.” While not a numeric case study, Spark frames these actions as improving the perceived delivery experience, which feeds customer star reviews.
Conclusion: Turn Good Habits into Five-Star Ratings
Customer ratings rise when you follow clear steps and document each delivery well. Focus on notes, punctual pickups, accurate drop-offs, and clean photos.
Handle age-restricted orders by the book, and keep messages short and practical.
Apply these habits on your next shift and protect both your standing and your rewards.
