A TikTok user has gone viral for shedding light on a “hidden cost” of using DoorDash, and many viewers are saying they didn’t realize it either. In the video, which has racked up over 508,000 views, @jrosenix explains the extra charges you may not notice when ordering food delivery through DoorDash.
She points out that in addition to the service fees, delivery fees, and tipping, DoorDash may also charge you more per item compared to the in-store price. “They upcharge every item on the menu,” she explains.
How Much ‘Hidden Charges’ Are You Paying?
To prove her point, she compared the prices from two popular fast food chains. For instance, a Deluxe Chick-fil-A Sandwich with Pepperjack Meal originally costs $9.55 on the app, but when she switched to delivery, the price jumped to $12.39. Similarly, a Burger King Whopper Meal went from $10.09 in-store to $12.40 for delivery.
Frustrated by the hidden costs, she concluded the video by saying, “Needless to say, I just sent my husband to pick it up because I’m not doing that anymore.”
Both Chick-fil-A and Burger King use DoorDash as their delivery partner, so this kind of upcharging applies to many restaurants that rely on the service.
Can $20 Feed a Family for 5 Nights? TikToker Shares Her H-E-B Dinner Pack Experience!
Viewers Weigh In on DoorDash Markups!
The video struck a chord with viewers. “I stopped using DoorDash for this reason,” one person commented. Others pointed out that similar practices occur with other delivery services, like Instacart.
Another commenter explained that restaurants are often charged 20-30% commission by services like DoorDash and Uber Eats, which likely contributes to the higher prices.
The upcharging issue isn’t limited to just a few restaurants either. Customers on TikTok have pointed out price hikes on delivery orders from fast food chains like Moe’s, McDonald’s, and Chick-fil-A.
One user even claimed that DoorDash orders are more expensive on iPhones than on Android devices.
Is the McDonald’s App Actually Costing You More? This TikToker Thinks So!
What Is DoorDash Doing About It?
In a 2023 blog post, DoorDash addressed the claims of upcharging, stating that they do not require restaurants to match in-store prices with delivery prices.
“Restaurants can make their own delivery menu pricing decisions,” the post explained. While DoorDash recommends keeping prices close to in-store pricing, they don’t enforce it.
DoorDash also highlighted that higher menu markups can hurt a restaurant’s business. According to a study by the company, restaurants with significant price hikes saw 37% fewer sales and up to 78% fewer reorders.
In an effort to improve customer satisfaction, DoorDash encourages partner restaurants to keep their delivery menu prices within 10% of their in-store prices. This can help businesses earn “Most Loved” status on the app, which comes with added benefits like in-app promotion.
Why Are People Acting Like This? The Outrageous Story That’s Blowing Up on TikTok!
So, while the convenience of delivery is undeniable, it’s clear that these hidden costs are making some customers think twice before using DoorDash.