DoorDash Dasher Tips & Tricks (2021)

[@BG05THEGOAT]

Love this job. The pay and the hours I can do is much more than my old part time job

[@stokmarket743]

lol how it go??

[@lenderzconstable]

I love how McDonald’s puts the drinks in the bag. And overall I like fast food because it’s an ordeal to park turn off my car and walk in other restaurants. Lmao if Oshii bento was an apartment I’d definitely declinr. Oh and Apple Maps

[@Piwork69]

McDonalds is usually a quick and easy experience. Plus, I love how they pack even the drinks in the bag and seal the top of bag with a sticker. Classy. Popeyes, on the other hand, is the most unorganized and chaotic experience. The wait is too long and they always run out of supplies and food. Poor planning.

[@dianec2160]

Got mashed potatoes in a drink cup the other day

[@Piwork69]

@@dianec2160 Guess they ran short of containers?

[@blossom114]

Honestly, I don't order fast food through these apps but I don't mind delivering them so far. Less stress involved in a sense and I can just sit in my car. I just really need to pay attention to the miles more. The other week I got tipped $10 for a mcdonald's order. Can't argue with that!!

[@Livingmydreammm]

I worked 6 hrs yesturday 2 hours my main job 4 my dash job made 215♥️♥️

[@con3crock]

This is great 👍🏾... I just started n only make about 100 for 8hrs

[@jakeconrad6050]

Apple Maps is definitely the way to go! They incorporate stop signs and lights into their app making it much easier to know where you are going. For example I can just look at the screen and see “oh I’m turning right at the second stop light” instead of waiting until I get close and looking for signs

[@patricethorpe9430]

That's why I use Apple maps.

[@ashleythetherapist7831]

I just learned the zoom in trick a few weeks ago and this wasn’t mentioned but who’s seeing higher pay and busier times in their area since the stimmy’s dropped? I know I am and I’m glad about it. The past few months have been so slow.

[@Livingmydreammm]

I always check if door opens out. If it's raining and soaking wet on pourch I text them and tell them I'm worried about their food getting wet. I put food in bag in restraunt and open it at the customers door. Food always hot. Yesturday I opened a chicken restraunt delivery. It was steaming when I opened it and handed it to him. It was nice and hot. 😊❤️. And this was sweet because it was lunch gift to a elder couple from daughter son in law. That made me so happy that food was hot for them❤️❤️

[@Livingmydreammm]

@C.U. no. I look to see if doorway owns out. If so I put it to the right close to house

[@maddiewood2523]

one thing i like about the mcdonalds i usually pick up from is once i get to the order speaker, they direct me to skip the line and go to the third window or one of their curbside spots

[@ScoobaMusic]

Fast food restaurants are literally the only thing in my zone, and I actually do pretty decent here surprisingly.

[@tiffany6468]

The McDonald's in my area have their lobbys open for delivery drivers only. They are usually pretty quick, and most payouts are pretty decent. Though there are certain fast food chains I avoid no matter the payout, because their lobbys are closed and the drive thru lines are usually wrapped around the building.

[@NerdEagle90]

I also am a DoorDasher in the Pittsburgh area, so this video and your videos in particular are helpful. I’ve found that getting orders from Oakland and Downtown is difficult due to parking issues, or not being able to find parking to either pick up or drop off orders. I am consistently getting good paying orders, but parking is a hassle. On the opposite side, like in the Monroeville/Penn Hills area, it’s much easier to pick up and drop off orders, but getting food paying orders is few and far in between. I do not many tips and most of the orders I get either are too far, don’t pay enough or both. It’s honestly made it difficult trying to find a good market area to stay in.

[@sebastianloaiza2539]

I tend to stay away from fast food because it’s almost never worth it, only unless there is a peak hour bonus

[@southerngirlsociety]

Great video... As a newbie - I'd sure love to see a video that walks me and talks me through a full door dash after the fact... so record it in the moment, leave that hard to focus background music out, and talk me slowly through the process of an order coming in - what do you look at, what helps you to decide whether to take the order or not, what are the things you consider? Once you take the order, talk us through the details of how the app works from there. My first order took me forever to figure out how to do everything in a timely manner and I ended up getting tagged as not having delivered it on time, when in fact, I had delivered it at least 5-10 minutes early. Also, where do you put your purse? Some of the areas I deliver to are not the most trustworthy and full of character, integrity, and respect. I worry about my purse when I jump out to run a delivery up to a house. Things I found hard to figure out on my first day dash today: 1. How do I look at the screen and know whether it is worth my time and drive? 2. How do I know what the full amount of miles will be? 3. Once finished, do I drive back toward a hotspot to pick up another delivery or stay where I'm at? 4. Is there a way to tell where I'm being sent ahead of time? (I live in Indiana and it sent me across the border to a rough neighborhood in Illinois today. I grew up in a neighborhood like that and I know what goes on. I was not prepared and should never have been over there.) 5. How do you go into the app and send the customer a text? Are you doing this through the app or through your own text message? 6. I actually live in a rough and unsafe area... How do I drive to a safer area where I can work? Do I have to find the hotspot or can I just go to the area and then pick up orders from there? 7. What app or process do you use for tracking mileage, vehicle maintenance, etc? 8. I know I'm missing some things. For a type A - Highly sensitive personality and a total introvert (functional introvert but nonetheless...), I was a little overwhelmed with it all. I wish I could have had time to play in a "test" version to really learn my way around the app and figure out how to navigate it but because they don't offer that, I need a video that at least takes the time to show these things - and preferably, a previously recorded dash that has been gone back through and voiced over to explain everything...

[@lorilynnrieseberg7316]

Love the basic tips and tricks of the trade video. I’m on week five and finally getting the knack of the phone and choosing good orders Momma Lala is evolving and gratefully 😀

[@EmmL1223]

Fast food restaurants- my response “ only take the order if it’s my last order and it’s going home, it’s after 7:30 pm, or I want to smell the fries 🍟 “

[@swagkidm10]

This motivates me, me and my girl made 95 on a Tuesday in around 4 hours not busy at all. Lets see what the weekend brings🙏🤞

[@juliedecker3844]

I use google maps because when you're getting close to your destination it actually shows little blocks of the houses which is rlly helpful when peoples house numbers are not visible.

[@patricethorpe9430]

Apple shows house-blocks too

[@YourWorldTourGuide]

Fast food deliveries during Covid-19 is slow because the indoors is closed and the drive thru is every long normally.

[@Figmeister]

Fast food is good/great here in Phoenix. We’re able to walk inside all stores... but I guess that explains why we have the most covid cases haha

[@iamdawnierenee]

Popeyes and Wendy’s in my area are nightmares. McDonald’s and Taco Bell are really quick!

[@awalin3414]

You ain’t lying !!

[@cameron197919]

Yes same in my area. I never do Popeyes because it's always 20 to 25 min wait.

[@SLVPOSH]

So true!

[@kellieamado418]

Your def rite bt to me there all nightmares no tips

[@patricethorpe9430]

Wendy's and Popeye's won't start an order until you enter the store

[@EnbyFish]

You really pumpin the vids out! I have you on in my headphones while I shops for Instacart and it’s motivating me to try doordash again. I’m in New York so finding a nearby busy area isn’t hard, it’s just figuring out how to stay in the busy zone without being in a dead zone

[@Livingmydreammm]

I make way more from McDonald's than outback steakhouse kinda restraunts. I love our Mcdonalds❤️. They are always fast and so good❤️❤️

[@tykimikk8048]

You absolutely right fast

[@patricethorpe9430]

I make good money from Mc Donald's. In my two areas they have door bells at the Lobby door.

[@christinem7156]

Won't lie...same here. For some reason...we have a lot of people who live within 2 miles of McDonalds AND have it delivered.....

[@stevemorales4098]

Mcdonalds in the hood after midnight is a nightmare. Unorganized, 10 minutes before the cars move up 1 spot. I've waited 45 minutes with like 5 cars in front of me.

[@ariestre7702]

😭

[@PVAPlayy]

Initially I was getting great fast-food places. McDonald’s *usually* had the food ready to go as soon as I got to the pickup window. However yesterday I had to wait like 10 minutes, which almost made me late for my delivery drop-off. Buffalo Wild Wings and Taco Bell are ALWAYS a hard decline from me. Those dudes are *always* late. They don’t even begin DoorDash orders until you show up; it’s disgusting.

[@patricethorpe9430]

I agree with Rhonda. Mc Donald’s usually pays $2-3 a mile. But I won’t take them for less than $6

[@Livingmydreammm]

I was in there just a bit ago using their bathroom got a order quick said I was there drove around the corner 7 bucks❤️

[@jebthompson1400]

I have a McDonald’s near me that has an open lobby. On the breakfast run, they are pretty fast and I usually do t have to wait long

[@sile1727]

Yes, fast-food restaurants gives you many, quick orders. I love them.

[@shiftonephoto]

I avoid fast food like the plague. I'll take a certain mcdonalds in my town that lets you go inside, and one taco bell that has a fast drive-thru, but I really decline them no matter what.

[@rigbythekhajiit]

I love going through drive thrus when they are running pretty fast, but I have a Wendy’s in my area that I won’t go near because the drive thru line runs around the block and takes forever

[@HamiltonPowellhampow93]

People don’t tip in my area but in the summer time it’s tourist season and that’s when the tips come in

[@makethestorylast1842]

Fast food is a mixed bag. Once I find out it's drive thru only I avoid it like the plague but walk in places are usually my best, especially the McDonalds near me. In and out in less than 2 minutes even if I'm early.

[@robertbeckham3091]

The other night I went to a Wendy’s and waiting about 10 minutes in the drive through, I had two orders from that Wendy’s. When I finally got to the window they handed me two separate bags, I asked if they were for both of my orders and they said yes. I pull out the drive through and notice they only gave me one customers order, and it wast even complete (some items were missing) I was pissed lol, I wasn’t about to drive all the way around and wait again so I just walked up to the window, told them what they did and just left the bags on the window. I was about to cancel the order but had to call support since I already hit picked up. Then eventually as I was trying to contact support the employee walked both orders outside 🤦🏼‍♂️ wasted 25 minutes plus the time for both deliveries and only made 14 bucks. Definitely not worth the trouble lol

[@Sydak]

I actually just started doing DD. The fact that lobbies close at 8PM or are simply closed period in fast food joints... makes working anything past 8PM an absolute nightmare. Waited 30 minutes to collect a Mcdonalds order, another 30 at a BK (only to find out the customer picked up the order earlier and neglected to cancel), and YET ANOTHER 30 at a Taco Bell. Granted, I was taken further out from my designated order area, but there was no excuse for that nightmare. Going to be declining orders more frequently now.

[@jackie351]

These restaurants near me are a nightmare to deal with. They are ridiculously slow.

[@essia6056]

i use apple maps. i like the interface and the way it describes directions. thank you for all the tips! i’ve learned a lot on which orders to take and decline 😊

[@macro16]

Rule of thumb for me is $1 per minute. If it's a $5 order and it will take me about 5 minutes, then I'll take it.

[@Drkbadger7719]

I’ll have to remember that. I make sure it’s at least $1 a mile.

[@weepingkatana]

a dollar a minute??? that's lame...the fastest delivery time I have seen was 11 minutes for an order with 1 mile distance..and that was only 4 dollars...for you to only accept a dollar a minute you would spend hours turning down orders and hope you get lucky. I am not judging you, but most of us are doing this to make money, not trying to do as little work as possible.

[@macro16]

@@weepingkatana Wrong. I'm on bike in NYC. Orders average just under $10 and most are under a mile. It's not unusual to have a delivery going across the street from the pick up.

[@weepingkatana]

@@macro16 well good for you, you are in a situation most are not in, so your input is extremely helpful...

[@macro16]

@@weepingkatana glad to be of assistance

[@kevsongsandarrangements]

They’re all right; the orders aren’t too bad usually. I just didn’t like how in the past Taco Bell made you pay with the red card and also did the whole pay and place thing. Now that Taco Bell is a “regular” restaurant it’s better and I’ll accept those orders

[@janedoe3173]

I don’t take Wendy’s between 9 am and 9 pm. McDonald’s is good for early morning, mid afternoon and late night pickups. Taco Bell is neeeeeeever ready. Burger King and Hardee’s don’t start the food until you get there. Which is fine if you’re on UberEats because they pay you extra for long waits.

[@DefiantDEFI]

I'm eating local- first three words that popped in my head

[@UncleVoodoo]

I’m in a college town, college kids burn up McDonald’s. Now if it’s slow I just park at McDonald’s front door. Easy money.

[@ashmars4869]

Wendy’s sucks here for dashers during covid. Have to wait in drive through and they won’t bring the order out. McDonalds here is a great one for us. It’s fast, usually a high paying order, and within 2 miles and our lobby is open :-)

[@jasrodie5381]

Sometimes they boost your earnings sometimes they just waste your time sometimes all these places just waste your time but I’ll take everything with a grain of salt

[@slidersgliders5516]

I do good on McDonald's orders . Just got 23$ order. It was kind distance.

[@lonnaflynn4821]

I made $50 in two hours in a super slow area. So much better than an part time job. The only bad thing is is that I’m female so I have to be extra careful

[@alphadevelopment1279]

I don't mind fast food orders, if they pay $7 or more (and are reasonable mileage). Most are fast pickups, the restaurants have their systems running well. I WILL skip some in our area that are notoriously terrible.

[@hammerridecycling7630]

did my first day of DDD.waited 30minutes in line on drive thru🤦🏼‍♂️

[@joannespeakman1602]

Location, location,location when it comes to fast food. I can't see well to drive at night, am too lazy to get up early in the morning so I often have to work slower 2 to 3 pm times. McDonald's works very well for me then in the affluent neighborhoods when kids get out of school. Also, I have a collection of extra cardboard drink carriers, napkins,straws, cutlery, etc so I can put the drink and straw and food on a cardboard drink holder instead of on the ground for a contactless delivery. I even have some plastic grocery store bags in my car to tie around the orders where the restaurant puts in a paper bag and it is raining outside. If I am only accepting good paying orders then it is my responsibility to give them their moneys worth. With that in mind, I don't take stacked orders,too many problems.

[@LauraM0129]

If it I know it’s a drive-thru, it’s an automatic decline and if I get there and it’s a drive-thru, I usually cancel, unless there is no line. I’ve found on UE, the McDonalds orders usually pay really well, about $9 for just a mile or 2. I use Apple Maps because google has sent me to the wrong place too many times, especially in the large condo/townhouse complexes.

[@bethkaufman2654]

My Wendy’s doesn’t start your order until the driver arrives.

[@patricethorpe9430]

Same here. BS explanation: “ customers complain if food isn’t fresh”. BK does the same thing but if you call them when you receive the order, they will start it

[@dawnfox9955]

I find in my area that McDonald's is usually under 3 miles and $6+. I thinks that's pretty great, but maybe I'm wrong.

[@Scott_Mericle]

I have pretty much stopped going to fast food places. People don't want to tip properly, and then you have to wait in that drive through line, especially with the employment staffing shortage that's going on these days. It's just not worth it. Especially with McDonald's and chick fil a. Those are some of the worst in my area. Wendy's is very bad too!

[@pyro1284]

Luckily my area McDonald’s has the lobby open until 7pm. After that I do not accept any orders from them. That Drive through line is crazy!

[@davidgraff3449]

this is probably a repeat question but are you tracking your miles for taxes?

[@patricethorpe9430]

All the McD in San Antonio have a doorbell and will come out to get the order info AND orders are usually very quick. Same in Corpus Christi and St Paul Mn.

[@Zillamon51]

Wish more places did this. There's a Popeyes and a DQ I frequent that do. Always hit the smiley face and check "well organized pickup procedure" when done.

[@lucyhulett9509]

I did my first dashes today. 1hr 45 mins active and made z$37.25.😷😁

[@kcampbell7787]

Ever since I stopped taking low quality orders, both fast food and others, fast food has become a lot better

[@recipesinreallife5291]

When living in smaller cities and doing doordash, the pay outs seem much lower than major cities....how do you calculate your minimum pay out?

[@RedArrow73]

At times of low demand, I strongly prefer the Drive-Thru.

[@lexyacosta5058]

I love that here only McDonald’s and Some Wendy’s are drive thru all the others I can go inside and pick up

[@carolynfunk8667]

I love the fast food restaurants in my area. They pay as much and are a lot faster.

[@AudatiousXtreme]

Great video Mike, thank you for all of the tips! Something I've noticed at least in my area specifically recently there has been higher peak pay and also its been every day, when just a few weeks back we never had any in my area Edit. Also something you brought up about the drive through fast food places, in my marketplace there are multiple places i haven't ever picked an order up because they are only drive thru and the line is usually 20 cars deep

[@mace8775]

Same here. Just recently peak pay seemed to go extinct for like a month or two. Now all of a sudden since about the beginning of the year 2.00 PP is about average now going up to around 4-4.50 on good days

[@YourDriverMike]

Excellent glad to see DD is offering more PP in your market, exactly why I say don't give up on these apps just because of a slow month. Keep checking for bonuses!

[@mace8775]

@@YourDriverMike I figured it would come back. Funny thing is, I relied that it would come back based on the fact that DD referral program amount would constantly fluctuate lol. I figured they do the same thing with their peak pay when I saw that fluctuate as well 😂. DD has definitely been the best gig app for me thus far

[@Moviationsuccess]

I worked 10 hours the whole week and only 4 of those hours I was actually active idk what’s going on with doordash man it’s like there going down hill one day I’m making a 100 bux off of 3 hours the day after I’m making 20 dollars off of a hour 1 30 the hole day

[@SeriouSXXFireworks]

Yeah is door dash getting flooded with new workers?

[@jordifolch4832]

Oof out here in seattle i average around 25-35$ an hour, I also pick and choose orders way more than he does

[@harrychest4303]

Most fast food restaurants around here allow delivery drivers in, but not customers

[@iStevenCTFxC]

they’re always hit or miss in terms of pay but i love how the food comes out super quick

[@davidyanceyjr]

Great video. In my area Burger King has closed their lobbies - all of them. So BK is on my list of "decline now" I don't even look at the miles or the money. Oddly enough, BK has signs posted stating it's a worker shortage. I think it's BS. Why are all the stores lobbies closed? You can't find workers for any of your locations spanning different cities in my area. Do you know what that says to the public. You pay crap and you treat your employees the same way. Can't say it as fact but that definitely seems more likely than "worker shortage" given many stores have "fewer" workers than pre-COVID numbers but are maintaining all services. In fact some stores are adapting and offering additional services. Occasionally I receive small little perks from merchants....you know, free drink cards and such. I'm making a habit of keeping them on me and I pass them forward to merchant employees who always seem to be working and indirectly help me make money.

[@christinelovelace94]

Love the fast food in my area

[@monikagambill862]

We (husband and I) are just starting out and are frustrated. We take orders but don't know where we are going until after we pickup food and then find out it's too far away. What are we missing? 40 seconds to decide isn't much time.

[@jerredbloom1061]

I NEVER accept fast food orders in my college town. They all take forever and often are out of items once I finally get through the 25 minute drive through line. Even if it’s an 11 dollar order it’s not worth it.

[@bestatdoingnothing3941]

You’re a hero mike

[@chrsmdws1]

I will call the store and ask, it doesn't hurt and some times they agree to meet me at the door. I avoid stores that I know will make me hit the DT. Late night is the worst.

[@moremilesmoreproblems6330]

If they don't bring the food outside and the drive thru is packed I unnasign the order. My exception would be chik fila

[@Hustle51286]

I use Waze navigation apps for delivery 🚚!

[@swisscheeseoo7487]

I just got rated horrible and reported me for every single one. Not using a hot bag, not being friendly , no communication ect. When I drive at night it's no contact and do all the above

[@macetenchu]

I find I am going less and less to these restaurants. Most don't allow you to use the restroom and they act like you're bothering them.

[@jilianlutsky7343]

I know right it’s kinda annoying

[@lrhurst3033]

Can you make a video about the fine print below the payout number when you go to accept the order? Why does it sometimes say that the amount might be higher than shown? They already have the customer's tip amount that they chose. Why the deception? Can you explain this? Thanks. Could you also tell us if the distance they say it will be in the fine print includes the distance you have to drive to the restaurant or is it just from the restaurant to the customer? Thanks again! Happy new year!

[@ranessawells7065]

I think it’s just from the restaurant to the customer.

[@ejerl9107]

does the 27.1 BUSINESS MILES means that's all the drive you did going everywhere while dashing? or just merchant to customer?

[@jocelynnconway439]

Can you please do a video on how you came up with the tax deductions?!?!?! PLEASE. I just have a learning disability when it comes to that kind of math, and would love to have your help!

[@dougsmith6917]

What advice do you have for people dashing in an area where the pay is not that great? Like most of the orders I get seem to be $7.00 or less and if I decline most of them I don't make money? Make sense?

[@ariestre7702]

Picked up my first order from Chick fil A yesterday and went straight through the drive through only to be told to go ring the restaurant doorbell instead. Well I could not back out and was stuck in line I don't even know how long until I finally got out. By the time I got out of the line, I was told the order was accidently given to a nother dasher. Well the restaurant did not know what to do with the situation for a bit but ended up recooking the food. What a headache.

[@YourDriverMike]

A little surprised to hear that from Chick fil A, the ones I've done recently had separate parking spots for delivery pick ups. Hopefully it doesn't get mixed up next time

[@ariestre7702]

@@YourDriverMike Hi Driver Mike 😊, yes they actually did have separate spots for drivers. But I did not know that being my first time until I was already in the drive thru line . I think I caused my own headache for not following instructions lol.

[@jeannainnc8390]

Mcds is the best. Taco bell runs out a lot. And chic fil a is the worst. I invested In my own drink carrier and strap it into the car.

[@blaineleslie2221]

My 4 Absolutely not 12 car lineup No tip with a LONG wait time It’s 12am

[@megaschultz7504]

you from Pittsburgh.. i do a lot in Robinson and Weirtoin, wv

[@xTK421x]

GRRRRR DRIVE THROUGH! They open the lobby for Dasher drivers now where I live. So as long as you are picking up an order before 10 p.m. you don't have to use the drive-thru

[@MrManDiller]

Bread and butter (response he asked for at the beginning)

[@nathanielcormier4930]

Nice information

[@mariomacias7102]

Hi Mike, Your Awesome! Do you text the customer anything when you drop off at the door?

[@msrenata80]

This is my first week at Dashing and I can’t see the distance of driving until I accept the order?! What’s up with that?

[@msrenata80]

@@76_Red_Pills ok thank you for sharing

[@MsJulieAnnBrody]

Good during the midnight shift, but not during the day.

[@travisbirchard3659]

I use apple maps because my car has carplay so i can have the gps on my HUD and ddash open on my phone

[@hannibalishungry]

I avoid majority of fast food restaurants. It’s always a terrible experience

[@SeriouSXXFireworks]

Hey man great vids.. should I start door dashing or is the market flooded and will only get low paying orders? Also do I need unlimited data on phone for this? Thanks

[@lanco1239]

It’s worth it

[@Brycencc]

After 8 or 9, wait in big drive thru lines due inside closing for the day 😂

[@brank999]

Fast food restaurants: case by case analysis

[@YourDriverMike]

Good strategy

[@michaelpresidente778]

Google Maps always on DoorDash! And DD is more accurate even 10000 mi away!

[@shihaozhai2851]

Any chance you can make a video on how to do doordash or Uber eats in less populous locations? (Like suburban areas)

[@mace8775]

You don’t. If you find money isn’t coming in, go to a new location, or do a new gig economy app. Instacart may be your best bet for you area. Just have to figure that out

[@mace8775]

If you find money is coming in then same rules apply to all locations, be smart with your accepted orders, don’t travel ridiculous distances, take advantage of peak pay, etc. also big tip mike shared that saves me on slow days... just because it’s not the BEST order doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it, especially in suburban areas take the OKAY orders just to keep the money coming in.

[@nstep1]

I hate some fast food pick ups, most of the time they are slow and rude

[@robincox8212]

So freaking slow fast food restaurants are crazy nobody’s working and I’m in my area and it takes him forever I just did a shift this morning waited 25 minutes in the drive-through to pick up an order only three people working in McDonald’s

[@YourDriverMike]

Thanks for watching Robin, I'm very careful with fast food orders, it must be higher than average pay and/or I need to know that the restaurant is typically on their game (or the lobby is open). I hope it stays busy in your market!

[@ChevyRedneckGFX]

Im just south of pittsburgh in washington

[@WTFFN]

I need the power strips for Pittsburgh! Is there a discord for your group?