The food delivery bubble is bursting — and maybe that's not a bad thing
On-demand food delivery is not working for customers, couriers, restaurants, or even the companies behind the apps
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About a year ago I made a rule for myself that if I wanted takeout, I'd go and get it myself unless I was physically incapable of doing that (drunk, high, etc). It means I don't get takeout quite as often but I do still get it a couple times a week and even still my eating out expenses have reduced by more than 50%. Also, many delivery app prices are higher even if you're opting to pick it up yourself. I often save a significant amount by just calling the restaurant rather than making the order through one of the delivery apps.
As someone who works in a restaurant, I can say that the prices for our menu items on doordash are up to ~40% higher than menu price regardless of whether you get it delivered or pick it up. If you're getting takeout somewhere, call instead of using a 3rd party app, or at least see if their website lets you place orders sans doordash/postmates etc
Maybe this is a dumb question but why are people willingly using a third party app to order food if they're going to go get the fucking food themselves anyway? I had no idea this was a thing. Do we not like looking up phone numbers? No access to online menu? Pay a premium to avoid having a conversation? The only thing that makes sense is not wanting to have a conversation.
I love it because I can be very specific about what I want without worrying if I forgot anything or if the person taking my order forgot it. But even more so, I'll see things that I didn't even know existed or that I could get. When all the options are right there for me to see on my own, and I have clear pricing for them, it makes the decision much easier.
Many places I call have some shitty picture of the menu on the Internet and then I have to juggle talking to them, hoping they didn't forget anything(as even saying it back is usually rushed and it's hard to make sure it got it right) or I forgot something. Add in any type of accent or language barrier and it can be a real crap shoot.
And I'm a very social person who doesn't have a problem with asserting myself. I can only imagine what it's like for people with social anxiety or are at least a bit timid.
Thanks I didn't really think of it that way. Never really used the service before so I was taken back at the idea but that makes sense.