Best Practices for Tipping Delivery Drivers on Instacart, DoorDash, and UberEats

Tips for Tipping Delivery Drivers on Popular Apps

Introduction to Tipping

Tipping is an optional but appreciated practice when using ride-sharing or food delivery apps like Instacart, DoorDash, and UberEats. However, it's important to do so with the understanding that it's discretionary, and not everyone who orders from these services may choose to tip.

Instacart and Tipping

When it comes to Instacart, many customers opt to tip for a job well done. While some customers might tip just a few dollars, it's not uncommon to see tips ranging from $0.00 to the equivalent of the entire paycheck or account balance. The key is to tip with cash and to do so voluntarily.

Back when I was a driver, I found that nearly 99.9% of my UberEats customers graciously tipped, with many giving an extra 8-15 dollars per order. Just last week, I was delighted to receive a generous $25 tip from one of my customers. Regardless of the amount, any tip is always appreciated.

DoorDash and Tipping

Tipping practices on DoorDash can vary widely. Unlike Instacart, where tipping is more common, DoorDash does not typically receive tips from its drivers. In my experience, Postmates, which is similar to DoorDash, also sees lower tipping rates. This can be frustrating as a driver, but it's important to remember that customers are paying for the delivery service and the item itself, and not explicitly for a tip.

It's been particularly challenging for me, as I've been heavily focused on UberEats and Caviar, where tipping is more common. Recently, due to a personal situation, I've had to shift to Postmates to supplement my income until my new car arrives.

How Much to Tip?

When it comes to tipping, the key is to be fair based on the service provided. Traditionally, a good starting point is around $2 per order, with an additional $1 during holidays. However, the true amount is up to the customer's discretion. Always pay with cash for transparency and to ensure the driver isn't influenced by the amount before completing the delivery.

From a delivery driver's perspective, seeing low or no tips can be somewhat expected. You, the customer, pay for the food and the delivery service, and any tips that you give go directly to the driver. It's similar to tipping at a restaurant, where some people choose to tip, others don't, and it can vary based on occasion or circumstance.

Conclusion

When using food delivery services like Instacart, DoorDash, or UberEats, tipping is an appreciated but discretionary practice. It's best to do so with cash and based on the quality of the service received. Whether it's $2 or more, every tip is appreciated by delivery drivers.