DoorDash is a widely-used food delivery service that enables customers to order food from local restaurants and have it delivered straight to their doorstep. One of the features of this platform is the ability for customers to tip their delivery driver when placing an order. However, some customers have been utilizing a controversial practice known as the “DoorDash hidden tip”, which has been a topic of discussion amongst drivers, customers, and the company itself.
To understand the DoorDash hidden tip, it is important to first comprehend how tipping works on the platform. When placing an order, customers can choose to leave a pre-set tip amount or enter a custom amount. The tip is then added to the total cost of the order, and the customer is charged accordingly.
However, some customers have discovered a way to manipulate the tipping system in their favor. They leave a small upfront tip in the DoorDash app and then adjust the tip to a higher amount after the delivery has been completed. This practice is called the DoorDash hidden tip, as the driver is not informed of the final tip amount until after the delivery has been completed.
The reason why customers might use this tactic is to ensure that their order is picked up and delivered quickly. DoorDash drivers are incentivized to accept and complete orders with higher payout amounts, which includes tips. If a customer places an order with a low or no tip, it is less likely that a driver will accept the order because it is not worth their time and effort. By leaving a small upfront tip and then adjusting it to a higher amount later, customers can guarantee that their order will be accepted and prioritized by a driver.
However, this practice has received a lot of backlash from DoorDash drivers who feel that it is unfair and deceptive. When drivers accept an order, they rely on the payout amount to determine if it is worth their time and effort. If they accept an order with a low payout amount, only to discover later that the customer has increased the tip amount, they feel that they have been tricked into accepting a low-paying job. Moreover, because the driver is not aware of the final tip amount until after the delivery has been completed, they have no way of knowing if they are being compensated fairly for their work.
DoorDash has taken steps to address the issue of hidden tips. In 2019, the company changed its tipping policy so that the full amount of the tip goes directly to the driver, rather than being used to supplement the driver’s base pay. This was in response to complaints from drivers that they were not receiving fair compensation for their work. Additionally, DoorDash now displays the total payout amount, including the tip, to drivers before they accept an order. This means that drivers can make an informed decision about whether or not to accept an order based on the payout amount.
Despite these changes, the practice of hidden tipping still exists on DoorDash. Some customers continue to use this tactic to ensure that their order is picked up and delivered quickly. Others argue that it is a way to reward drivers for good service without having to commit to a large tip upfront.
In conclusion, the DoorDash hidden tip is a practice where a customer leaves a small upfront tip in the DoorDash app and then adjusts the tip to a higher amount after the delivery has been completed. This practice has been met with criticism from drivers who feel that it is unfair and deceptive. DoorDash has made efforts to address the issue, but hidden tipping still occurs on the platform.
