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Full disclosure: I rarely get food delivered to my home. It's pricey and sometimes the food quality diminishes in transport. I like to go out to eat or cook at home, that's just my preference.

I also live in an apartment complex with a confusing numbering system, the bane of all delivery drivers. Several times I've had to do my best to point a delivery driver in the right direction, whether it's food or even the Amazon guy. Yeah, it's that bad.

I have several friends who deliver food through various apps, in fact, most of them deliver for more than one. Doordash, Uber Eats, Grub Hub, and Favor- most of these services have big overlaps. These folks also have long memories, so I wouldn't stiff someone on one service and expect to never see them again on another service.

Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash
Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash
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Honestly, I can't blame the consumer for not knowing a lot of what delivery drivers wish they knew. 

The fees can be confusing. It can be confusing to navigate different food delivery apps, especially if you don't use them that often. And why is no one accepting your order? (It's because you didn't tip in advance.)

Here is what my delivery driver friends wish you knew so that everyone can have a better experience. 

1. The Delivery Fee Is NOT A Tip

The delivery fee does NOT go to drivers. The most we get on a order(at least for DoorDash) is is usually 2.50. Sometimes 3. We rely on tips to make up the difference. I’ve received so many trips were I’m driving 8,9,10 miles sometimes having to wait 30 minutes just to make 2.50 of an order. I started rejecting those at this point because your spending more money on gas and time then what you’re making - Josh

 

2. Leave Your Porch Light On

Leave your dang porch light on, please!! - Jennifer

 

3. Delivery Drivers Are Not Catering Services

Stop ordering through delivery if your order is for a huge group, especially if you're only going to tip like it's a normal order. (Where are we supposed to put your 10 drinks in our car so that they don't spill? Etc. . . .) -John

 

4. Be Patient And Kind With Inclement Weather 

Don't rush your driver during bad weather. Heavy rains or icy roads mean slower driving, so expect to give your delivery more time to be completed. -Jennifer

 

5. Leave Clear Instructions/ Directions If Necessary 

Leave clear instructions if your place is hard to get to. (Houses with no numbers or hard to see numbers, apartment complexes, building numbers, cardinal directions, gate codes, etc.) - John

6. Getting Delivery Is A Luxury, And You Should Tip As Such 

I’ve delivered for Dominos in the past did Door Dash a while back to make some extra money. The lack of tips is the reason I stopped dashing. -Morgan

 

Tip. Tip extra in bad conditions.- Kimmie

 

If it's nasty out, and you ordered delivery cause you don't want to risk it, neither did that delivery driver that you didn't tip. -Lesley

7. Answer Your Phone

please answer your phone when we call, we're trying to find you and get you your  food and you're making this way harder than it has to be. -Jay

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