Food delivery service DoorDash has warned its customers that not tipping their drivers may lead to delayed deliveries.
The largest food delivery company in the United States warned that because its drivers can see which orders carry tips, and are free to take the jobs they want to, they may not be incentivized to take lower-value gigs.
DoorDash, which currently holds 65% of the online meal delivery market in the US, said that it was testing out a new pop-up warning that encouraged its users to leave a tip.
The Verge reported that adding a $0 tip to an order results in a pop-up window that reads:
‘Orders with no tip might take longer to get delivered — are you sure you want to continue? Orders that take longer to be accepted by Dashers tend to result in slower delivery.’
DoorDash drivers are free to choose the jobs they want to take, and the company said that they are more likely to choose deliveries with a high return
The company is currently testing out an in-app pop-up that encourages users to leave a tip for their drivers
The outlet reported that the new pop-up warning doesn’t appear to have been pushed across the US.
One Verge reporter in New Jersey reportedly received the pop-up, while another in South Carolina didn’t
It insists on its website that DoorDash drivers earn between $2 and $10 per delivery, depending on the ‘distance and desirability of the order’, and added that drivers take in 100% of tips given by customers.
A DoorDash spokesperson told : ‘Everyday, Dashers go the extra mile to help connect consumers with the best of their local communities. That’s why we encourage customers to show their appreciation by tipping.
‘As independent contractors, Dashers have full freedom to accept or reject offers based on what they view as valuable and rewarding.
‘While the vast majority of customers do leave a tip, offers that don’t include a tip can be seen as less desirable – this impacts our entire community, leading to longer wait times for customers, orders sitting longer at merchants, and less value for Dashers.
‘This reminder screen is something that we’re currently testing to help create the best possible experience for all members of our community. As with anything we pilot, we look forward to closely analyzing the results and feedback.’