It’s simple to enjoy restaurant food in the convenience of your own home thanks to food delivery services. The convenience is evident, and millions of people rely on these services to take care of their meal and shopping needs despite different fees and restaurant surcharges that significantly increase your total. Even with well-known rivals like Uber Eats and Grub Hub, DoorDash is one of the largest services in the industry and holds the bulk of the market share in the US. However, what exactly is DoorDash, how does it operate, and how do you utilize it?
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What is DoorDash?
The delivery service was established in Palo Alto, California, in 2012 by four Stanford students under the name paloaltodelivery.com, before changing its name to DoorDash in 2013. Since then, DoorDash has expanded to more than 7,000 communities in the US. Uber Eats and Grubhub is two fierce competitors for DoorDash in the US. But the service experienced a huge rise in popularity and largely captured the market share in the industry during the lockdowns that began in 2020.
However, DoorDash has a smaller global footprint than services like Uber Eats. DoorDash is accessible in 80 Canadian cities and towns as well as Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane in Australia, whilst the latter is in more than 30 nations.
How does DoorDash work?
You can order meals and groceries through the DoorDash website or one of the mobile applications available for download from the Google Play Store and iOS App Store. Instead of depending on the delivery service offered by a restaurant, DoorDash employs independent contractors they refer to as Dashers to carry out your order. A DoorDash driver will pick up your order from the restaurant after you place it and deliver it to your door. By picking up the food, you can avoid paying delivery fees and other costs. However, that defeats the convenience and goal of services like DoorDash.
Cash, major debit and credit cards, gift cards, and mobile payment services like Apple Pay and Google Pay are just a few of the different payment options that DoorDash takes.
However, the payment methods that are offered depend on where you are. In particular, whether the restaurant accepts the choice will determine if cash on delivery is available. Additionally, in order to accept cash payments, DoorDash drivers must choose to accept them, which may reduce the number of drivers that can deliver your order.
How to signup for DoorDash
To sign up for the service, visit the DoorDash website or download the mobile app. DoorDash has many options, and you may connect it to a Google, Facebook, or Apple ID account. You can register with your email address even if you don’t want to link your other accounts. To begin, open the app and select one of the options.
In the event that you select Sign up, enter your name, email address, and phone number before selecting Sign up.
If you select Apple, Google, or Facebook, make sure the phone number associated with those accounts is up to date. The linked data, such as the phone number and saved addresses, can be changed later.
How to use DoorDash
On DoorDash, how to add and remove an address
Go to the Account tab and select Addresses to add a new address. To allow the app to identify your address, you may either click Enable location services or type it into the top search bar. To provide delivery drivers with the precise location, tap Adjust pin. You can choose between the two drop-off choices, enter an apartment or suite number, and add additional details, like a buzzer code, in the text box at the bottom. To add the address, tap Save.
Tap the pen (edit) symbol next to a saved address to remove it.
Add and remove payment methods on DoorDash
On DoorDash, select the Account tab and then press Payment Methods to add a new payment method. Pick one of the available payment options. In the Add payment method area, you can add a credit or debit card in the majority of cities. Then enter your card information by tapping Credit/Debit card.
The payment method that is set as the default cannot be removed. Long-press on the card in the Saved payment methods area to access other options, then hit Confirm to remove the card.
Creating and placing an order on DoorDash
Now that your address and payment method have been saved, you can begin placing your order. Depending on where you are, DoorDash may offer hundreds of eateries. The app’s filters aid in organizing things.
It lists offers and discounts, classifies restaurants according to cuisine, and displays the fastest options available nearby if you’re in a rush. Additionally, you can narrow down the results by selecting a minimum rating, delivery window, and pricing point. A restaurant can be located by going to the All stores area and scrolling aimlessly until you discover it.
After selecting a restaurant, there is much more to consider. You may arrange a pickup or make a group order by tapping a location. A side-scrolling list of highlighted or frequently ordered items will also be visible. Select the item you want to order from the menu by scrolling down. Tap Add to Cart after making any additional options that are necessary.
What is DashPass?
When you purchase $12 or more from any restaurant, DoorDash’s subscription program DashPass offers free delivery and cheaper additional fees. Additionally, you receive additional advantages like a 5% DoorDash credit on pickup orders, more and quicker grocery delivery slots, and other restaurant-specific special offers and discounts. The cost of a DashPass subscription is $10 per month or $96 for an annual plan.
Go to Account > DashPass to register, then touch Get DashPass to confirm. Your DashPass subscription can be canceled at any time. DashPass is definitely worthwhile if you want to use DoorDash frequently.
