NJ Door Dash Users: Cough Up a Tip or Wait

Am I the only one who feels this way?  A new service is introduced and it's great.  I fell in love with it.  It served a purpose, it worked well and it was useful.

I began using the service- a lot, and all was well.  I told my friends about it, and before I knew it, all my friends were now using the service.

Then, like a crack dealer, the service announced a price increase.  Then the service started changing, and with each change, there was a new price increase.  But I'm hooked.  As much as I hate it, I can't quit.

Remember when cord-cutting was great?  I paid a lot less for TV than I did with cable.  The service was awesome.  Then, all of a sudden, the services started multiplying like a bunch of rabbits on a spring day.  Now, I'm right back where I started.

DoorDash came on the scene and was a useful service.  If I couldn't get out of the office for lunch, I could depend on DoorDash to bring my food to me.  On the weekend, if I was too lazy to get dressed to pick up my chicken parm, DoorDash was there for me.

If the game was on, and I wanted some General Zao chicken, DoorDash made sure I didn't miss a minute.

Oh sure, I knew restaurants charged more to offset their cost (they are charged by DoorDash), but it was worth the convenience.

DoorDash has just made an announcement that has inspired me to get off my butt and get my own order.

We all know the whole tipping craze has gotten out of hand, but now, when you order online for DoorDash, a pop-up will ask if you want to tip, and get this, it says if we don't tip, it may take longer for our order to arrive.  Orders with tips will get priority service.

This is where it ends for me.  Restaurants already charge a premium of about 15-20% for DoorDash orders.  Now we're also supposed to pay a tip?  Put into perspective, my $24 chicken parm is already up to 28.80.  Add a 20% tip to that, and we're up to $34.56.  General Zao, was dismissed.  I may be lazy, but not that lazy.

I know you're wondering, according to Indeed.com  DoorDash drivers average $19.85 an hour.  Keep in mind, that jobs like these are typically side hustles.  If drivers are underpaid, DoorDash should dip into those high fees they charge restaurants, and pay them better.

One last thought...I'm not opposed to tipping the drivers.  I just prefer to do so in person and at my discretion.