The vast majority of us wouldn't dream about leaving a restaurant without tipping our server. So why is it that so many people don't apply that same philosophy to delivery drivers?
Not surprisingly, an overwhelming majority of DoorDash/UberEats users don't tip. Now, thanks to a recent video from TikToker/DoorDasher @jhordanthemodel, we now have proof that McDonald's orders without tips — just sit there.
According to statistics issued by Mintel: Global Market Research & Market Insight — 63% of all consumers agree that it is more convenient to order take-out than it is to dine in at a restaurant.
You don't need to be an analyst to be able to spot the trend: more and more people are choosing to enjoy their restaurant food in the comfort of their own homes.
The choice of whether or not to leave a tip is completely up to the user.
However, if you're someone who doesn't tip and have noticed increasingly longer wait times for your food to arrive — there's a reason for that.
Unlike Uber drivers who have no say in what orders they can accept or reject, DoorDash works differently.
As Jhordan explains in their video, Dashers are independent contractors — not actual employees.
Not surprisingly, one of the first things that a driver will look for is whether or not the person ordering food has left a tip.
"There's a whole section dedicated to people who don't tip, and their order just sits there until a Dasher decides that they want to take the order," they explained.
For instance, in North America, it's customary to tip anywhere from 15-20% when dining out.
This same metric should also be applied when tipping your driver, according to experts at HyreCar.com.
"I make sure to give a generous tip," they began. "You are saving time and the hassle so it is worth something."
This was, however, the minority opinion.
"This is why I love UberEats," @caoiroluvslinda said. "I'm not tipping before I get my food. I've tipped DoorDashers before and got HORRIBLE service...yea not sorry."
TikToker @pinkmeplz wrote, "So tips are mandatory because if I don't tip, I clearly won't get my food. You may not be saying it, but you're definitely implying it."
It seems counterintuitive to tip for a service that you haven't received. Money is the motivator.
Without it, we're no better than the mouse who asks for a glass of milk with its cookie.
