DoorDash will take cash for some orders

Turns out that pizza, the original delivery food, still outsmarts tech companies

Those new pizza hot bags! (photo courtesy of DoorDash)

DoorDash, the online ordering and delivery platform built to modernize the clunky food delivery business, will now accept cash on delivery for some orders.

A rep for the company used pizza delivery as an example: “Pizza restaurants, which are among the earliest adopters of delivery, shared that customers appreciate flexible payment methods like the ability to pay with cash upon delivery – like they might have in the past,” they wrote in an email. The feature works only with DoorDash Drive, the company’s program that provides couriers to restaurants fulfilling orders placed directly — not marketplace ordering. In early testing, DoorDash says that people pay cash for a fifth of pizza deliveries that allow the option.

According to its help pages, drivers keep the cash the customers hand them, including any cash tips:

Once you collect the payment, you’re done. Keep 100% of the cash (including any cash tips). The money you collect is yours to keep, and the order amount will be automatically deducted from your next direct deposit. You can check your weekly earnings breakdown to see any cash amounts deducted. Note that any and all tips are yours to keep and won’t be subtracted from your earning balance.

While customers are encouraged to pay with the exact amount, DoorDash advises drivers to carry $10-$15 in small bills. Drivers can also pass on delivering cash orders if they choose.

But some couriers have expressed concerns. During a December testing phase, posts on a Reddit thread laid out potential problems. “All I see here is a DoorDash [sic] running away from cash-backs and customer fraud,” a user wrote.

“People knowing we don't have cash is what makes me feel semi-safe doing this. This is gonna get people robbed,” posted another.

DoorDash directs drivers with concerns or trouble with cash deliveries to its SafeDash program, including one-click options to discreetly connect with security agents and, if needed, local authorities.

New delivery chases old-school success