Doordash has become a very popular service, seemingly wrought from the cold ashes of the pandemic and exploding onto the scene as a direct result of so many people staying at home and avoiding the outside world. Now that it’s here, it’s here to stay, along with all of its competition.
You can even order, pick up, and self-deliver your own food. There is also a self-delivery service that Doordash offers businesses in order to get their name out there in the Doordash ecosphere, expanding their restaurant business.
So how does this work, exactly? How do you order your own Doordash, and how do you initiate the self-service feature that Doordash offers? Ordering, picking up, and self-delivering your own order isn’t shady, but it does seem like it could be, so what’s the deal?
Table of Contents
How Does Self-Ordering Work?
- Open the Doordash app through Android, iOS, or Doordash.com
- Enter your home address
- Select an icon to find your restaurant of choice
- Select a dish or multiple dishes
- Place your order
Does Doordashing to Yourself Violate Doordash TOS?
Doordash’s Version of Self-Service
Should You Pickup Your Own Doordash Orders?
What that boils down to are your own moral and ethical restraints. If you’re placing a legitimate order while you are out and about on Doordash’s time and dime anyways, picking it up is probably not a big deal.
However, if you’re doing what the above-mentioned Reddit poster is allegedly accused of doing, then you are probably crossing an invisible line. While Doordash has never directly addressed the issue, one way or another doesn’t mean it doesn’t do anything about it.
If things played out in the way one of the Redditors suggests, one Dasher was removed from Doordash, and the $200 they made was returned to Doordash. The problem is, there isn’t that much information out there about it, one way or another.
If you Google the question, you’re not going to get anything but forum conversations and arguments or Doordash’s advertisement for self-delivery services for businesses to take control of their couriers under the Doordash banner.
In terms of Doordash’s terms of service (pun intended), you’re not technically doing anything wrong, especially if it’s an occasional thing. However, if you browse through some of these forums, you’ll run across those who have gone way beyond what is probably considered “right” and professional.
Suppose you’re out there ordering lemon slices over and over again, picking them up and pocketing a cool $5 or $6 each time. In that case, you’re certainly way over in the grey area and—despite clarification in Doordash’s TOS—there may be repercussions from Doordash if they pick up on it.
The Drawback of Self-Ordering
Besides the morally “gray area” stuff that comes with trying to milk Doordash out of paying a hundred dollars for 20 orders of small Coca Colas, there are other drawbacks to ordering and trying to pick up your own order.
The biggest complaint from those who try to do this is getting their order snatched up before it pops up on your app. That can frequently happen since not every device is the same, and Doordash’s algorithms distribute the orders.
You may place an order, and before you can even switch back over to the app, another Dasher has scooped it up. When that takes place, you’ll have to contact that Dasher and let them know what’s going on, unless you want to tip for your order while you’re sitting outside of the restaurant.
All Things Considered
As of now, it looks like you’re completely capable—and allowed under Doordash’s Terms of Service—to order and fulfil your own order. Once in a while, you can take advantage of the convenience and your current location.
As a moral thing, well, that’s entirely up to you. It’s not as if Doordash is restricting the practice, so you may be able to find your own, uniques silver lining somewhere in there.
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