Doordash is a food delivery service that we have come to accept as a daily routine, along with many other home delivery services.
But what do we know about it?
When you first sign on to Doordash as a driver you are given a brief rundown on how dashing will work. This basically covers the facts that you will receive a small bit of pay for each delivery and then whatever tip the customer gives.
It explains that you MUST maintain a certain level of ratings with Doordash. These ratings are customer rating and an acceptance rate. The purpose of this is allegedly to ensure proper service as a Doordash driver.
But as a driver these ratings hold one hostage for issues out of the drivers control. Many drivers complain of having to wait long periods of times for orders to be completed causing their delivery time to be delayed. Another issue is orders being wrong. This issue is not passed to the restaurant but many times to the driver by customers insisting the driver should have made sure. But what many fail to understand is that drivers mostly can not check an order due to the restaurant sealing the bag.
But the biggest complaint by drivers is their being held hostage by Doordashes Acceptance Rating.
Drivers are many times forced to accept orders with very low tips to maintain a certain rating. For example: a $3 tip for a 10 mile drive.
With the cost of gas and maintenance on the vehicle these sort of orders actually hurt drivers. Most drivers say they would simply be happy if customers or Doordash would average $1 per Mile.
Why is this such a big issue? If a drivers acceptance rating goes below a certain level they are then forced to schedule their service around Doordashes unrealistic times, where most drivers say they can not make any money.
One of the biggest perks of being a driver for Doordash is the “Dash Now” option which allows drivers to dash when they can. But this perk is held over their heads to accept low paying orders.
Most drivers do this sort of work as a side job to supplement additional income. This additional income is earned as an independent contractor or a 1099 employee. Which means the driver has to pay the tax withholdings on this income. Thereby, lowering their additional income that they had hoped to make.
We as customers many times do not have the knowledge of these things until we ask a driver of one of these services. On average Doordash pays it’s drivers $2 per delivery no matter the distance. And many times orders can be made up to 20 miles.
Would you deliver something 20 miles for $2? More than likely the answer will be no. All drivers are asking for is a fair amount for their service.