Framing it as “tipping” has resulted in everyone losing
“Tipping” isn’t the right word for what customers are contributing to dashers.
In reality, customers are bidding for fast delivery. The higher they bid, the more speed and care they can expect on their order. “Tipping” sounds like a nice little add-on to your overall expense (food cost, DD fees, etc.), when it’s really the entire reason your order moves at all.
If we called it what it actually is, a delivery bid, customers would understand why a $2 “tip” on a 6-mile order means their food is sitting at the restaurant getting cold while dashers pass it over for better offers. The language hides the mechanics of the platform, and that benefits DoorDash, not us and not the customer.
Of course, DoorDash isn’t going to change the wording. They like that customers think they’re being generous instead of realizing they’re competing in an auction. As long as the confusion keeps orders flowing, DD won’t care.