DoorDash Pickup: What You Need to Know Before Ordering

DoorDash pickup

DoorDash is a convenient service that allows you to order food from your favorite local restaurants and have it delivered right to your doorstep. They are now offering a new feature known as DoorDash Pickup that allows you to skip the delivery driver and pick up your order on your own. 

DoorDash Pickup allows you to pick up your own order from participating restaurants. It allows you to skip the line, waive the delivery fee, and forego the tip that would ordinarily go to the driver.

Are you curious about how this pickup service works? Here is everything you need to know before you place your next online food order. 

What is DoorDash Pickup? 

Many people have grown to love the convenience of ordering their food ahead of time. Services like DoorDash have allowed people to grow accustomed to ordering whatever they want from the convenience of their own home. These services even send someone else to pick up your food and bring it to you. 

Now, companies like DoorDash are giving you the option to bypass the Dasher. Convenience is the ultimate goal here. Whenever it is more convenient for you to pick up your own meal, you can now choose this option. 

DoorDash Pickup allows you to still order ahead, skip the line, and avoid fees that come with having your food delivered. In other words, it gives you all the convenience and none of the cost. 

It should be noted that not all merchants offer this pickup option. Before you place an order, make sure that the restaurant you choose offers this service if you want to avoid the cost associated with delivery. 

How Does DoorDash Pickup Work? 

If you are ready to place an order for pickup, there are a few things you need to know. Here are all the steps you need to order your dinner tonight. 

  1. Download the DoorDash app from wherever you get your apps. Once it is downloaded onto your phone, you can log into your account. 
  2. At the top of the app, you will see an option for “pickup.” This will filter out the restaurants that do not offer this service. Once selected, you can see all the restaurants in your area that will allow you to pick up your own meal. 
  3. Add your desired items to the cart and place your to-go order through the app.
     
  4. When you place your order, be sure to turn on the customer tracking. This will allow the app to send you notifications about your order. When the food is close to being ready, DoorDash will notify you so that you can head out to pick up your food. 
  5. If you choose, you can give the restaurant the ability to track your location. They will receive a notification when you arrive so that your food will be ready even more efficiently.
  6. Pick up your order. Many restaurants have a dedicated area for pickup orders like those scheduled through DoorDash. Be sure to look for these areas and to continue practicing social distancing when in the building. 
DoorDash Pickup

When Should I Use This Service? 

One of the first advantages of using food delivery services is the convenience it offers. With DoorDash Pickup, you will have to pick up your own meal. When does it make sense to use this offer instead of the delivery option? 

Sometimes, you might want to pick up an order if you are already out and about. Maybe your favorite restaurant is already on your way home. This service allows you to place the order ahead of time and skip the line. 

The main reason you might want to skip the delivery is to save on the cost of your meal. Pickup waives the delivery fee which can range anywhere from $1.99 to $5.99 depending on the restaurant, the busyness of the day, and what other offers might be ongoing. 

There are other benefits for pickup orders if you have the DashPass subscription. This $9.99 monthly subscription saves you money on delivery fees if you order out often. For orders over $12, you won’t pay any delivery fees if you have the subscription. 

The DashPass subscription has an added benefit if you choose to pick up your order. When you order from a DashPass restaurant and select pickup, you will earn five percent credit back to your account. The credit will be automatically applied to your next order. 

What Does DoorDash Charge for Pickup Orders? 

The main benefit to placing an order for pickup is that you will not pay any fees. Delivery does add a small surcharge to your order. Knowing what to expect can help you to avoid paying unnecessary fees through the app. 

If you order frequently and you want it delivered to your home, you should really consider signing up for a DashPass. It will cost you $9.99 per month, but you will get the delivery fee waived on orders over $12. You even earn credit back on pickup orders. 

Unfortunately, there are times when you need to place an order less than $12. Picking up your order yourself can help you to avoid these unnecessary delivery fees. 

When you go to place your order, you will clearly see that you will not be charged for pickup. The app will show you your subtotal, taxes, and any fees that you might incur. This is also when you have the opportunity to leave an optional tip. 

Do Restaurants Have to Pay for Pickup? 

While you may not see any fees on your end for picking up an order, DoorDash does still charge restaurants who offer this service. Think of it as a referral fee. They are collecting a percentage of your order in exchange for advertising the restaurant on their platform. 

It is not known exactly how much DoorDash charges restaurants for a pickup order. They do not openly advertise the commission rates that they charge restaurants. However, it appears that most are charged somewhere between 10 and 25 percent of the order subtotal. 

Many speculate that the pickup orders should have a lower commission rate because they do not require delivery. 

This past year has been a trying time for many in the food and beverage industry. DoorDash recognizes how hard it is for restaurants to stay afloat, and it appears that they have cut their commission fees drastically. Over the last year, commission fees were reduced by almost 50 percent. 

Restaurants who do not have their own online platform or delivery service can certainly benefit from using DoorDash. It gives their customers a wider range of options including both delivery and takeout. 

If you are a restaurant thinking about partnering with DoorDash, you can use their profit calculator to see if it is a worthwhile commitment from your small business.

DoorDash Pickup

Should I Tip for a Pickup Order?

As you near the end of the checkout process, you will notice a section to leave a tip. While many people expect to leave a tip for their delivery drivers, they don’t know what to do when placing a pickup order. 

A tip is not a requirement on pickup orders, but it can be a good way to support the restaurant. If it is a small family-owned business that you love, you might want to leave a tip to help demonstrate your appreciation for their hard work. 

Some people don’t like to leave a tip until they can see just how the service is. The good news is that you can modify your tip after you pick up the order. Just open the app back up to edit the tip and rate the experience. 

It will be charged to the card you used to pay for your order. You cannot use Venmo to pay for your food

Tipping is a great help to the restaurant. While DoorDash takes a referral fee based on the subtotal of your order, the restaurant gets to keep all of the tip that you leave. 

If you want to leave a tip, it is recommended to leave about 10 to 15 percent of your subtotal. Excellent service and food may warrant a larger tip, so use your best judgment. 

Sometimes, you just don’t have the cash to spare to leave a tip. Fortunately, this will not affect your order in the least. Restaurants cannot view your tip before completing your order. This ensures that they treat everyone fairly regardless of how much they expect to gain from your order. 

Choosing Pickup to Save Money and Time

DoorDash Pickup is a great way to ensure that you save both money and time on your dining experience. You can place your order ahead of time and skip both the delivery fee and the line. While it may cost the restaurant to allow you to pick up your order, it doesn’t cost you a dime!  

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