A DoorDash delivery driver asks why a customer placed an order at a Steak N’ Shake restaurant. Not because of what he ordered there, but because it’s across a parking lot. So, within walking distance.
TikTok user Kobe Jo (@kobejo) expressed his confusion over the customer’s decision in a video posted on July 21 with nearly 900,000 views. However, several people defended the customer in the comments.
So are people simply too dependent on convenient solutions? Or are there cases in which such a close order is justified?
Is ordering a waste of money?
In the video’s text overlay, Kobe Jo writes: “Is this a waste of money?”
He films himself standing in front of a Steak N’ Shake parking lot. He is holding a bag of food in his hand while talking to the camera. Right at the beginning of the video, the TikToker makes it clear that he is baffled.
He speaks directly into the lens and says, “Where did DoorDash go? I’m just picking up an order.” He raises his finger and points to the Steak N’ Shake, which is just a stone’s throw behind him.
“Walk across the property and leave it here.” Kobe Jo turns his camera around to show that the destination address is in a shopping center within walking distance of the restaurant. “Hello? Why would you spend money on DoorDash? Like people just got too much money for no reason.” He shakes his head as he comments on the customer’s request.
In a caption to his video, Kobe Jo notes that he may have spoken too soon about people having too much money. “Update: They didn’t have too much money and they actually didn’t tip me, but that wasn’t surprising.”
TikTokers defend the “over the street” order
Several responses to Kobe Jo’s video defend the distancing rule. Because, many argue, there are cases in which people simply cannot leave their post, no matter what happens. “Sometimes people are the only ones in the office or business and cannot leave,” says one user of the app.
As mentioned above, another responds that he was in the same situation as Kobe Jo. He speculates, “I can only guess if there was just one employee who couldn’t leave the store unattended.”
Others say this is a compelling enough reason to place a DoorDash order from such a short distance away. “Maybe they’re not allowed to leave the store?”
One person who works as a receptionist says that she has placed similar orders herself. “As a receptionist who has done this before, I can say that we cannot leave our desks and that is why it is only the two of us. Trust me, if we could, we would love to go for a little walk.”
Some say they placed food orders because they were physically unable to move.
“I broke my ankle once, couldn’t walk or drive… I had to do this,” says another TikToker in the comments on Kobe Jo’s video.
“I did this when I was sick,” writes one commenter.
Kobe Jo also shares some of his additional thoughts in the comments. When it comes to working in retail, he says it would hardly hinder him. “I think if I want food that badly, I’ll put a sign on the door and run across the parking lot. I’m not paying DoorDash and $10 extra for a delivery.”
The Daily Dot has previously reported on cases of people ordering from places within walking distance. One TikToker confessed in a viral video how much she “hates” ordering from an Olive Garden. In her clip, she shows how close the place is… and that she still gets it delivered.
DoorDash addiction is making people bankrupt
The Tennessean writes in an article about “Uber-Uber-Eaters,” a growing demographic of consumers who rely on delivery. The article begins by highlighting the eating habits of a music PR agent. Due to long nights and fatigue at the end of a shift, they often resort to Postmates. Their favorite order: A shrimp appetizer from a restaurant a 12-minute walk from their home.
Additionally, the story highlights a 21-year-old office assistant’s penchant for having food delivered to her workplace. Even though the restaurants she orders from are right next door, she explained why she opts for delivery instead. “I mean, it’s a short walk, but then I have to take the elevator down and walk across the parking lot. And right now, it’s sweltering outside, you know?”
The outlet consults with Center for Internet and Technology Addiction founder David Greenfield. Greenfield writes that a major trap with apps like DoorDash is how convenient they are. He goes on to say that when people browse the internet and discover something they like, they get a dopamine rush. The same dopamine rush applies to the habit of ordering and receiving food. By constantly ordering food through DoorDash, for example, you’re training your brain to easily get a dopamine rush.
“When you find something desirable (online), a small amount of dopamine is released in your brain. And that increases the likelihood that you will perform that behavior again. It’s addictive.”
A newspaper editor admitted that he paid about $10 for a $3.50 meal at McDonald’s, even though the store was only 75 meters from his home.
Fees for delivery apps like DoorDash can add up
It’s no secret that restaurants often add higher prices to their items in the DoorDash app. This means that DoorDash users often see a higher cost per product when browsing goods in the app. On the other hand, if they decide to simply place the order through the restaurant itself, they can save some money.
DoorDash addresses this phenomenon on its website here, explaining that business owners are free to adopt its practices. “While DoorDash does not require delivery prices to match in-store prices, we recommend keeping prices as close to store prices as possible,” the app’s website states. It goes on to explain why they believe app markups are bad for business. “Data shows that menu markups can negatively impact customer conversion and retention.”
@kobejo Update, they didn’t have too much money and they actually didn’t tip me but that was too little to expect #dasher #doordash #doordashdriver #gigworker #instacart ♬ Original sound – Kobe Jo
The Daily Dot contacted Kobe Jo via a TikTok comment and DoorDash via email.
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