Are you looking for a straightforward food delivery system that brings your meals, drinks, or snacks right to your door?
If you’re tired of cooking and you don’t want to go out to a restaurant, then using a food delivery platform like the DoorDash app can meet all your needs.
Yet, you may still wonder how the DoorDash delivery process works and how much it costs.
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, you’ll learn all about DoorDash delivery, how it compares to other platforms, total costs, and instructions on using the DoorDash app.
Now, let’s get started!
What Is DoorDash Delivery?
The DoorDash delivery process is an on-demand food delivery service that makes it easy for you to pick and order meals and drinks from your local restaurants.
A DoorDash driver is a contractor who acts as a freelancer and doesn’t work directly for any of the restaurants on the platform.
DoorDash and similar delivery service platforms allow any restaurant to expand its services and gain more customers.
Where Is DoorDash Available?
DoorDash is available in hundreds of cities around the United States including New York City, Boston, Houston, Atlanta, San Francisco, and Chicago.
You’ll also find that the platform is available in tons of local restaurants and chains.
This service is also accessible for people living in rural areas.
Restaurants are required to pay DoorDash to use the service and the freelance delivery drivers.
This may include a flat fee per order, a monthly fee, or a commission-based payment system.
List of Available Areas
You can find DoorDash in Australia, Canada, the United States, and Japan.
The cities that you will commonly find DoorDash delivery services include:
- Washington, D.C.
- Melbourne, Australia
- Brisbane, Australia
- Sydney, Australia
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Austin, Texas
- Detroit, Michigan
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Houston, Texas
- New York City
- Atlanta, Georgia
- San Francisco, California
- Chicago, Illinois
DoorDash Delivery Comparisons
If you’re not completely sure that the DoorDash app is the right delivery platform for you, then you might want to start comparing it to other food delivery services like UberEats, GrubHub, Deliveroo, and Caviar.
These platforms all employ delivery drivers who will bring food and drink straight to your house from local restaurants.
So, which one is better?
What features set them apart?
Let’s find out!
DoorDash vs. UberEats
DoorDash does not have any minimum order costs while UberEats includes small order fees that differ depending on the city.
Usually, the UberEats fees are $2 for orders less than $10 and charges are $3 for orders below $15.
Furthermore, DoorDash does deliver alcohol to customers while UberEats does not deliver such products.
However, the ratings on the app store between UberEats and DoorDash are very similar at about 4 stars out of 5 stars.
DoorDash vs. GrubHub
GrubHub does have greater availability than the DoorDash delivery service.
GrubHub also includes one of the largest market shares in the food delivery app sector.
The GrubHub app is also considered easier to use.
However, both DoorDash and GrubHub allow you to see the estimated delivery time before you complete your order.
You’ll also have several methods for payment through either food delivery platform.
DoorDash vs. Deliveroo
Both DoorDash and Deliveroo work on multiple device platforms including iPhones, iPads, SaaS, and Androids.
However, Deliveroo provides 24/7 live support while DoorDash does not.
DoorDash offers a free trial, unlike Deliveroo.
In terms of training contractors, Deliveroo provides webinars, documentation, and live online training while DoorDash trains solely through documentation and live online training.
DoorDash vs. Caviar
Caviar is an easy-to-use food delivery app with a simple user interface.
However, the costs for using Caviar can be rather steep and it is available in only 21 major cities such as Seattle, Los Angeles, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Washington D.C., and Boston.
DoorDash, however, is available in many more cities around the United States as well as Canada and Australia.
DoorDash provides more promotions and discounts, so it is a cheaper food delivery app than Caviar.
It also includes gift cards.
How Much Does DoorDash Delivery Cost?
The DoorDash delivery fee is often around $5.99 while a service fee is an extra charge on top and varies among each restaurant.
Usually, service fees range from $1.99 to $7.99.
On top of these charges, you will need to cover the costs of the food and drinks themselves from the restaurant, any taxes from the eatery, and the tip for the delivery driver.
Delivery Fees
With every order, DoorDash charges delivery fees.
The delivery fees can range from $1.99 to $5.99.
The charge that you do get for each order depends on the exact restaurant you choose.
If there is high demand for orders in certain restaurants such as on Friday or Saturday nights, DoorDash tends to raise the price of delivery fees.
This procedure is similar to UberEats and other food delivery platforms.
Membership Fees
The DashPass is a subscription program or membership with a $0 delivery fee and decreased service fees as long as you order $12 or more in food from registered restaurants.
The subscription or membership fee for the DashPass is $9.99 per month.
Also, you can cancel the membership anytime you wish.
Delivering for DoorDash
Now, if you’re looking for a new gig, you should consider the benefits of becoming a food delivery driver for DoorDash.
You would work as a freelance contractor for DoorDash and would not become affiliated with any of the restaurants from where you pick up the food.
Keep reading to learn how you can become a DoorDash delivery driver.
How Does It Work?
When customers place an order to any local restaurant operating on the DoorDash platform, the app then opens the order up for “dashers” or contract delivery drivers logged into the app to accept the delivery.
The customers also agree to a delivery fee and tip for the driver.
When you accept the delivery through the platform, you have to drive to the restaurant, accept the order, take it back to your vehicle to drive to the customer’s location, and leave it at the patron’s door.
Dasher Requirements
To become a Dasher, you will need the following requirements.
- You need to reach 18 years of age
- You need to own an Android or iPhone device with a downloaded Dasher app
- You need to finish the sign-up process and apply for the job
- You have to provide a valid social security number
- You must permit DoorDash to run a background check and you need to pass the background check
- Lastly, you have to complete an orientation either online or in an office
You are required to use a vehicle to deliver the orders.
As such, you need a valid driver’s license, automobile insurance, car registration, and a good driving record.
However, you might get away with using a bicycle to deliver orders.
How to Apply
You can apply to become a Dasher by using the steps below.
- Go to the DoorDash sign-up page at doordash.com/dasher/signup and then type in your email address
- Enter in your name, phone number, and password before clicking “Continue”
- Choose the type of vehicle you’ll use, enter your driver’s license data, and enter in your car insurance information before selecting “Continue”
- Type in the relevant information (date of birth and social security number) to submit your background check
- Read through the disclosures and authorization info before tapping “Continue” to authorize the background check
- The last step you need to follow is merely to download the DoorDash app onto your device from the App store
How to Get DoorDash Delivery
If you’re ready to start using the DoorDash delivery app, you will need to download the app and create your account.
If you have an iPhone, you can download it from the Apple Store.
Android users can download the DoorDash app from the Google Play Store.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that you’ve downloaded the app and made an account, follow these steps.
- Sign in to the DoorDash app
- Choose your location
- Scroll through restaurants and search for food to order
- Browse the menu and add food items to your cart
- View the cart to double-check everything is accurate
- Choose your payment method and place the order
- Track your food delivery
- Leave a tip for the driver
DoorDash Delivery FAQs
How Much Should You Tip on DoorDash?
You should tip your DoorDash driver at least 15 to 20 percent of the total food order unless the service was subpar.
If the food was shaken and spilled or the driver was rude, then you may want to tip only about 10 percent of the order.
How Can You Contact DoorDash Customer Service?
You can call DoorDash customer service by entering the phone number 1 (855) 431-0459.
Does DoorDash Deliver Groceries?
You’ll be glad to learn that certain businesses have partnered with DoorDash to allow Dashers to deliver groceries.
This ensures people who are unable to get their own groceries can have them delivered straight to their homes.
Does DoorDash Deliver Cigarettes?
DoorDash can deliver cigarettes, but this can only occur if the recipient is 21 years old or older and can prove their age.
The customer will have to show their valid driver’s license or another valid form of ID to show their age.
Does DoorDash Deliver Alcohol?
DoorDash does allow their delivery drivers to drop off alcohol.
However, the drivers must ensure the recipients are not intoxicated and are 21 years old or older in the United States and 19 years or older in Canada.
Conclusion
Now that you know how DoorDash works and where it’s available, you can start downloading the app, scrolling through the food options, and placing your order.
Are you craving Chinese food or Italian?
Or would you rather grab a burger and fries?
Whatever you like, DoorDash will make sure it shows up at your door in no time at all.
