How Does DoorDash Pickup Work For Customers?

Key Takeaways

• Order via app, pick up yourself, save on delivery fees.
• Available with many restaurants, from local to national chains.
• Use pickup for quick takeout needs or to avoid delivery wait times.
• Look for DoorDash discounts and DashPass promotions to save more.

What is DoorDash Pickup? → How it works →

• What is DoorDash Pickup?
• How DoorDash Pickup Works
• Benefits of Using DoorDash Pickup
• How Much Does DoorDash Pickup Cost?
• Tipping Etiquette for DoorDash Pickup
• Considerations When Using DoorDash Pickup
• Creative and Interesting Topics
• Comparing DoorDash Pickup With Its Competitors
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Final Thoughts

What is DoorDash Pickup?

DoorDash Pickup is a convenient service that allows you to order your favorite food from multiple restaurants on the DoorDash app.

Yet, instead of having the food delivered to your doorstep, you can skip the delivery fees and pick up the food yourself.

The package pickup feature is a fast and budget-friendly option for those who want to further benefit from DoorDash.

By using this service, you can eliminate delivery expenses and benefit from any DoorDash offers.

It can also be a good alternative if you’re already out of the house and want to pick up your favorite meal on the way home.

In some cases, this can be the only option available. If all Dashers in your area are busy or the pay is too low, picking up your order will be a must.

DoorDash Pickup currently works with a massive range of restaurants, from local diners to nationwide chains.

You can browse the Pickup selection from the DoorDash homepage to see if your chosen spot is eligible.

Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert

Personally, I use DoorDash Pickup when I’m running errands, near my favorite restaurant, during peak delivery hours, or to avoid long waits and crowds.

It’s ideal for quick takeout needs or when I’m craving a certain restaurant but don’t want to actually dine in there.

To save money on pickup orders, look out for discount codes from DoorDash emails or consider subscribing to DashPass for more promotions and discounts.

How DoorDash Pickup Works

You can access DoorDash from the website or mobile app.

Instead of asking for your order to be delivered to your location, place an order from a restaurant, convenience store, or even grocery store and pick it up.

Ordering Process

If you haven’t created an account on DoorDash, create one using your email and phone number. The app will show you different cuisines and categories.

Some restaurants will be highlighted for the pickup option. This means they allow you to place an order without assigning a DoorDasher to pick it up.

You can apply the pickup option as a filter or choose it from the menu of your favorite restaurant.

Browse the menu, and add the items to your cart like you’d normally do. Revise your order and then proceed to check out.

Only some diners accept cash. If your restaurant doesn’t, you must pay using a card or other electronic payment.

Pickup Process

The app will send you updates about your order’s status.

Once the restaurant has confirmed the order, you’ll see an estimate that shows when it will be ready.

Most restaurants assign a designated area for order pickups. This is where you’ll see some DoorDash drivers waiting to pick up orders for other customers.

Look around for the sign or ask one of the staff members to help you.

Inform the cashier or one of the employees that you’ve arrived and give them the order number. Some fast food restaurants allow you to pick up orders from the drive-thru.

Notifications and Timing

DoorDash will send you notifications regarding your order before you arrive at the restaurant. When it’s ready for pickup, you’ll receive another notification on the phone.

There can be some delays that affect how fast your order is ready. You should be patient if you’re ordering food at a busy time slot.

Benefits of Using DoorDash Pickup

DoorDash Pickup offers several advantages that make it an appealing choice for regular DoorDash users.

Avoid the Delivery Fees

This is the most significant benefit of using this feature. You can get your favorite food without paying extra for the delivery.

Delivery fees vary by location and the size of your order, so you can save a substantial amount of money by picking up your food.

If you made a small order, the delivery fee can be more expensive than the order’s price.

Eliminating this extra cash will make DoorDash more appealing and affordable.

Make Use of DoorDash Benefits

DoorDash Pickup is more convenient than ordering from a restaurant directly.

You can browse different menus, make all the necessary adjustments, and order your food through the app.

This allows you to benefit from the rewards and points without paying for the delivery.

Faster Delivery in Busy Periods

During peak hours, picking up your order will be a better and faster option than waiting for a Dasher.

Restaurants get overwhelmed with orders and this leads to extended wait times, especially when drivers have to pick up multiple orders.

But when you use DoorDash Pickup, you can track the order’s progress and head to the diner when it’s almost ready.

Have More Control Over Your Order Pickup

With this feature, you can select the most convenient time to pick up your order.

You don’t have to be home to receive your dinner, because you can head to the restaurant.

Plus, there will be no delays caused by Dashers delivering multiple orders or getting stuck in traffic.

Beat the System

If there are no delivery people available, you can still get your food whenever you want.

At peak times, you won’t have to cancel your order because you’ll pick it up even if there are no free Dashers in your area.

Reduce Your Environmental Impact

Delivery services harm the environment with many drivers contributing to traffic congestion and air pollution.

If you pick up your food while heading back home, you’re reducing your carbon footprint without sacrificing the convenient service.

How Much Does DoorDash Pickup Cost?

DoorDash Pickup is a cost-efficient option that allows you to enjoy the convenience of the service without any extra cash.

Here’s a breakdown of the costs.

No Delivery Fees

There are no delivery fees, so you can save more money while still enjoying your food.

Depending on your location and the size of your order, these fees can be significant and sometimes even exceed the price of your order.

Interesting Offers

Since you’ll shop through DoorDash, you’ll occasionally find offers that make the menu prices even more affordable.

So, you can enjoy extra discounts, as DoorDash doesn’t charge higher for the pickup option.

Some restaurants make special offers for pickup orders. So, check these out to see if you’re eligible for them.

Stack With DashPass

You can subscribe to DashPass, an exclusive subscription that eliminates delivery fees.

Although you don’t need this for pickup orders, this subscription grants members several promotions and discounts on service fees.

Tipping Etiquette for DoorDash Pickup

Tipping isn’t mandatory, but you can leave a tip through the app when you place your order.

Most service providers suggest that people should leave a tip of 10% to 20%, depending on the nature of the order or time of the day.

If your order is simple and small, you can skip tipping or add a tip of 10%.

If you place an order for a large group or your food requires special attention, you can increase the tip to 20% or even more.

Customer Perspective

Some customers don’t think they should tip when they use the DoorDash Pickup since they do the work of the Dasher.

Although it’s true, you can consider leaving a tip if you place a big order that requires special attention.

Tipping will be a nice gesture when you place an order during peak hours. It shows your appreciation of how much effort the staff put into preparing your food.

Restaurant Staff Perspective

Many restaurant workers depend on tipping to supplement their income.

Due to their low wages, restaurant employees won’t be able to make ends meet if customers don’t tip. So, when you leave a tip, you show recognition for their effort.

Considerations When Using DoorDash Pickup

DoorDash Pickup offers many benefits but won’t always be the best option.

Here are some considerations to help you choose between DoorDash Pickup and standard delivery.

Time Constraints

If you live far away from the restaurant and want to have your food as quickly as possible, it will be a good idea to order a delivery.

The app will show if some Dashers can deliver your order on time.

Yet, if you have some flexibility or live near the restaurant, using the pickup option will make more sense.

During peak hours and busy times, you can reach the restaurant faster than a driver who is supposed to deliver multiple orders.

Convenience

Pickup requires additional effort because you must head to the restaurant. For maximum convenience, nothing beats ordering a delivery service from DoorDash.

The app will assign a driver to arrive at your restaurant and pick up the order when it’s ready. Then, they’ll deliver it to your doorstep or any designated location.

Personal Preferences

Although the app shows you the estimated time for having your order ready, when you order the delivery, you’ll see the location of the Dasher on the map, which provides more assurance.

Some people prefer to pick up their orders to avoid waiting for drivers.

If you’re ordering a heat-sensitive dish and worried about maintaining its temperature, ordering a delivery will be a better option.

Drivers have insulated bags to guarantee that the food will stay warm.

Restaurant Availability

Not all restaurants offer the pickup option. So, you have to check if the restaurant you chose offers this feature. Additionally, some restaurants will offer this service at specific time slots.

Limitations and Restrictions

Some restaurants put some restrictions on this service. So, there could be a minimum order value.

You won’t be able to pick up your food unless its value exceeds the diner’s minimum.

Plus, there could be some limitations on customization. So, check the restaurant’s rules and policy regarding pickup orders before selecting this service.

Creative and Interesting Topics

DoorDash allows you to get your favorite meals while saving money by following different tips and tricks.

Maximizing Your DoorDash Pickup Experience

In addition to saving money by using DoorDash Pickup, there are several tips to help you maximize your DoorDash experience.

• Browse the list of restaurants carefully to choose one on your way to or from your destination if you’re running errands or coming from work. This way, you won’t have to drive extra miles.
• Make sure to mention any special requests before you check out to receive a customized order that fits your needs.
• Schedule your pickup orders away from peak times like rush hours and game nights. If it’s a busy day, arrive a little early to your destination to avoid delays.
• If you’re running late, communicate with your restaurant, so your order isn’t left stranded.
• Invest in an insulated bag to maintain the temperature of your order, just like professional Dashers.
• When picking multiple items, organize them smartly to separate the cold from the hot ones.

Comparing DoorDash Pickup With Its Competitors

DoorDash Pickup isn’t the only option out there. Other services like GrubHub Curbside Pickup and Uber Eats offer similar services. Yet, several factors set these services apart.

Selection

DoorDash offers a bigger restaurant selection than GrubHub.

DoorDash currently works with more than 500,000 establishments, while GrubHub works with more than 355,000 establishments.

This means that you’ll most likely find a restaurant that serves your favorite meal and offers a pickup feature when you choose DoorDash.

Plus, DoorDash has a lower order minimum than Uber Eats. This makes the service more convenient to use.

Ease of Use

All platforms are straightforward to use. You can order through the mobile app or the website to have your food delivered or picked up.

Promotions

Uber Eats tends to offer more promos. It occasionally offers a 99-cent delivery fee, which makes delivery more convenient than pickup.

Customer Satisfaction

People will be more satisfied with the services provided by DoorDash, GrubHub, and Uber Eats based on their location. You can try all services to see which one covers more spots in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Does DoorDash Say “Pickup Only”?

This happens when no drivers are available in your area, or the pay is too low and no one will accept it. In this case, the only option is to go pick up your order.

How Does DoorDash Make Money On Pickup Orders?

DoorDash charges restaurants for listing them on the platform. When you place an order, the app charges the restaurant for 20% of the order value, even if you pick it up. The delivery service is an additional cost.

Final Thoughts

Instead of ordering your food to be delivered, you can choose the DoorDash Pickup service to save cash and get your food at the most convenient time.

It’s a flexible option that allows you to pick up your food while getting back from work or running errands to eliminate the delivery fees and reduce waiting times.

Next time you order your favorite meal, consider using this option if you’re in a hurry or already passing by the restaurant. You can get your food at the most convenient time, and you won’t have to pay extra.