Key Takeaways
- DoorDash offers grocery delivery from various stores, including Target and ALDI.
- Types of groceries available range from fresh produce to personal items.
- Multiple delivery options: Pickup, Same-Day, Scheduled.
- Fees depend on order size, delivery type, and location.
How Does DoorDash Grocery Delivery Work?
DoorDash grocery delivery works by having a personal shopper shop on your behalf and deliver the groceries to your door.
The Dasher takes the order through the app, visits the outlet you’ve specified, and shops while maintaining communication to guarantee a satisfying shopping experience.
It’s convenient and fast, as it allows you to purchase groceries at a preferred outlet from the comfort of your home and receive them in under an hour.
To enjoy this convenience, you must first understand where DoorDash sources its groceries, the delivery options, how to order, and delivery fees.
Where Does DoorDash Source Grocery Items?
DoorDash has partnered with many local and national merchants, including Target, Sprouts Farmers Market, Safeway, Coles, ALDI, Meijer, Winn-Dixie, Vons, Hy-Vee Grocery, and Albertsons.
The goal is to provide its customers with as many choices as possible for a more satisfying online shopping experience.
As recently as last year, DoorDash announced partnerships with nine new grocers. With the platform’s expanding selection of options, you’re bound to find a grocer that’ll deliver the types of groceries you like.
Types of Groceries You Can Order From DoorDash
DoorDash redesigned its app in 2023 to include a dedicated Grocery Tab that makes it more efficient for grocery shoppers to find items. Based on your needs, you can purchase one or more types of groceries and have them delivered.
The rule of thumb is to browse until you find a store that fits your price range.
The types of groceries you can find under this tab include:
Fresh Produce
Produce includes fruits and vegetables and the price varies depending on your store of choice. For example, a store that only sells organic produce is pricier. Also, some stores bundle produce into a box to reduce the cost.
For instance, Fresh & Best Produce, a small family-owned business, sells a mixed box containing potatoes, yellow onions, tomatoes, avocados, green zucchini, lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, Fuji apples, oranges, red grapes, and bananas at $32.50.
Meat and Fish
DoorDash has any type of protein you or your family is craving—from chicken, steak, and fish to meatballs and burgers.
Grains
Whether you prefer quinoa, rice, or couscous, DoorDash has it. To find your preferred grain, use the search bar at the top. The price depends on the brand and the quantity.
For example, Coles Long Grain White Rice goes for about $2 per kg, while SunRice Long Grain Premium goes for $3.30 per kg.
Dairy and Eggs
DoorDash allows you to stock up on eggs, dairy, and other breakfast items such as cereals, coffee, and creamer.
Selection of Assorted Pantry Items
You’ll also find the following under the groceries tab. The availability of these items depends on individual stores.
- Condiments
- Baking ingredients
- Spices & seasonings
- Frozen items
- Snacks
- Vitamins
- Drinks
- Prepared food
- Cheese
- Candy
- Household items such as cleaning materials
- Personal Items
- Baby and child supplies
DoorDash’s Delivery Options
DoorDash offers several delivery options.
- Pickup (includes in-store and curbside pickup)
- Same-day
- Scheduled
DoorDash Pickup Delivery
DoorDash allows customers to shop for groceries from the app and pick the items up themselves. To use this option, select your store, add items to the cart, pay, and select ‘Pickup.’ Note that not all stores have this option.
The app will notify the store to prepare your order. When it’s ready, DoorDash will alert you via text or push notification. The notification will also include details on how to pick up the order.
Some stores offer curbside pickup, which allows customers to pick up their groceries from a designated location. In this case, as soon as you arrive at the set area, you should notify the store through the app, and someone will bring your package.
Other stores offer in-store pickup. That means you have to go into the store to pick up your order.
DoorDash Pickup doesn’t charge you any delivery fees.
DoorDash Same-Day Delivery
To access this service, sign in to your account, purchase the groceries, and indicate the date of delivery as ‘same-day.’ The Dasher will go to the store, shop, and transport the purchase to the given address.
With same-day deliveries, DoorDash promises an average delivery time of 35 minutes or less. During peak hours, that can go up to an hour or more.
DoorDash Scheduled Delivery
Scheduled delivery allows you to order in advance. Select all the items you need, and at checkout, select ‘Scheduled.’ This will allow you to set the time and date that you wish to have your groceries delivered. Once set, you can select ‘Place Order.’
How to Order Groceries With DoorDash
To shop for, you must first log in to your account. If you don’t have one, you can create one through its website or app. To order:
- Select items from the available grocery stores. (If you come across a favorite shop you’ll likely purchase from again in the future, save it for easy access. The app displays saved retailers on the right.)
- Confirm your purchase and click the checkout button.
- Verify your address and select standard delivery for lower fees. Alternatively, you can choose express delivery when in a hurry. The fees will be higher, but it ensures the driver doesn’t drop off any previous orders but comes directly to you.
- Track your purchase as it makes its way to you. If you prefer the driver to leave the groceries in front of your door, the app will notify you with a photo that the groceries have arrived.
- The picture is proof in case someone steals the items or the package has missing ingredients.
After receiving the groceries, you can give the driver tips in person or through the app. If you opt for the app, the tip will go directly to your Dasher and will not be included in the DoorDash/Grocer fees.
Note: If an item is unavailable, out of stock, or pricier than expected, the Dasher will contact you and help you pick a substitute. Alternatively, you can request a refund.
How Much It Costs to Use DoorDash for Grocery Deliveries
DoorDash charges a service fee for each grocery order to help maintain the platform and a delivery fee to facilitate getting the groceries to your door.
Service fees start at $0.60 and will increase based on the order size.
Delivery fees are dynamic as they depend on location, merchant, and other factors such as demand. Still, DoorDash makes it a point to ensure the cost is affordable. For example, groceries worth $20 cost you $1.50 in delivery fees.
Other fees that might apply include:
- Expanded Range Fee: This fee applies when you order from a merchant far from you. The charges help DoorDash offer customers access to far-away merchants at an additional cost.
- Small Order Fee: The toll applies when the order is too small and incurs almost zero cost. The amount makes it worthwhile for DoorDash to fulfill it.
- Express Fee: This fee applies when you select Express Delivery when checking out. The cost is slightly higher than standard because the Dasher will deliver the groceries more quickly.
- Other Mandatory Fees: It only applies when the local government mandates DoorDash to charge certain fees to comply with local regulations.
How to Pay for DoorDash Grocery Deliveries
You can pay via Venmo, Credit Card, Apple Pay, PayPal, an EBT Card in select stores, and cash on delivery with specific merchants.
Wrapping Up
Shopping for groceries using DoorDash is efficient—it’s as simple as 1-2-3: order the items at your preferred store, check out and pay, then receive the delivery.
Unlock this convenience the next time you’re on for a grocery run by trying DoorDash!
