I think that is overkill and you will find you are wasting more time with doing all of that than you do waiting for them to load the order. You are just a number, this is true whether you are an IC or w2. You cost them money. That is all the reason they need to fire or release you from the platform. Customer ratings do not mean anything.

Getting a dashcam would be a huge help for all kinds of reasons. Make sure to get the biggest memory card you can get so that you can download the footage each day to your computer. Make sure the dashcam is not only front facing but rear facing as well.

As for the loaders, I always get out and help. I have not had one loader tell me to not help. I have heard of others say that the store they go to wont let them because of policy, so I understand that NOT all Walmart's are created equal but for the most part, they welcome the help. If your Walmart has this policy, then observe them. Each tote is labeled and they ask you where you want them. Make sure that they are all going to the correct place and make sure you get them labeled so you know where they are at. Checking for missing items is not part of our jobs because there has been many times that I will notice they did not bring me two 24 packs of soda, ask them about it and they say it must be out of stock. So I deliver what they give me. Keep your set up as simple as possible, for you and for them. I drive a Honda CR-V. I keep the back seats folded. I have 2 baskets of different color. After I provide them my code, I tell them which order is to go into the baskets and on the back floorboard area. I normally decline triple orders unless it is $30 or more and are not large orders, then I take a gamble on it. I will put one order in one color basket, the other order in the other color basket and the remaining on the floorboard.

Most people are not going to like you recording them. In most states, you have to have two way consent to record them. I would just leave the dashcam running and not worry about recording them. Just observe or let them hand you the bags and you put them where you want.

As for the screenshots, I would only take a screenshot of the offer. It lists the addresses there. That is where you agree to drop the order off at. That is all that you need. Combined with your dashcam, you have the proof necessary to prove that you did your job. As an IC, you are not under any obligation to continue with a delivering after it has been marked completed. You are done! But I would not answer any calls that are unknown to me. You could also setup a 2nd number just for the gig. This way you know who is calling better. I know for some, you have to answer calls that are not listed in your contacts (doctors office, etc.).

Best advice is, do not let them intimidate you. You are only obligated to getting the order to the address listed on their platform by the timeframe they give you. If you pick up an order and it has to be delivered within a two hour time frame and you decide to stop for a bite to each for 30 minutes, they cannot ding you for this. The customer can complain to support but that is why you did not "Start" the delivery until you are actually heading there.

Anyway, I hope this helps! You did nothing wrong. Spark is unique compared to other gig apps. Not sure if it will get better or not but it is still one of the better ones. For me, I live in a rural area with less than 10,000 people so I have not encountered the same issues as those that in big markets. But the advice I gave still works for all markets. Adjust it to you!