'Disgusting behaviour' and 'appalling' are exactly how one DoorDash customer described the messages they received from a delivery driver, sparking outrage online and sending the Reddit community into a frenzy.
In a thread on r/doordash, the customer shared an unsettling interaction that went far beyond a simple food delivery.
The poster explained that they were unable to drive due to a broken arm and relied on family to get to appointments. When ordering food via DoorDash, they tipped generously - 20% - expecting nothing more than a standard delivery. But what they encountered felt far from standard.
It started like any other order, with a DoorDash driver on their way to drop off a meal. But instead of just delivering the food, the driver sent a message to the customer that left them feeling uncomfortable.
"Good Evening this is DoorDash. Just a friendly reminder gas just went up again and this is outrageous, so if you can to please raise the tip i would be forever grateful. I accept cash as well. No disrespect but thank you for understanding and have a fantastic weekend."
In their Reddit post, the customer wrote: "I was appalled that the dasher did this. I gave a 20% tip. I also wasn’t their only customer. I could see he stopped somewhere in between picking up my food and dropping it off so he got more than just my tip money. Do lots of dashers do this? Do people give more money then? Isn’t this against policy?"
The revelation struck a chord with the Reddit community. Users reacted with a mixture of anger and disbelief, one user stating: "As a dasher, this is disgusting behavior," highlighting the potential for abuse in app-based delivery systems.
The driver appeared to have taken advantage of the platform, earning extra money outside of the agreed-upon tip - a violation of trust that many users found shocking.
For many, this isn’t just a one-off incident. The gig economy, particularly food delivery services like DoorDash, often relies on customers’ trust in drivers to follow the rules and act professionally. But with autonomous routes and limited oversight, the system can be vulnerable to misuse. One Reddit commenter summed it up succinctly: "It’s appalling that some drivers would exploit a customer’s generosity or circumstances. This shouldn’t be happening."
The post also sparked practical questions: if a driver is padding earnings during deliveries, how often does it happen? Are other customers unknowingly paying extra? And most importantly, how can platforms like DoorDash prevent these situations while maintaining fairness for both drivers and diners?
DoorDash’s official policies are clear: drivers are expected to adhere to assigned routes, respect customer payments, and maintain professional conduct. Any deviation - particularly actions that unfairly increase earnings at the customer’s expense - violates platform rules and can result in account suspension or permanent bans. Still, incidents like the one described on Reddit show that policies only work if they are actively enforced.
For customers, the takeaway is vigilance. Checking delivery summaries, keeping track of tips, and reporting suspicious behaviour are all essential steps to protect yourself.
Sharing experiences online, as this Reddit user did, also helps bring attention to systemic issues in food delivery and encourages platforms to improve oversight.
While most DoorDash drivers operate ethically and deliver meals safely and reliably, this thread is a stark reminder that even one lapse in professional conduct can feel exploitative - and for those affected, truly 'disgusting' and 'appalling.' In a gig economy built on trust and convenience, both companies and customers must stay alert to ensure fairness and accountability remain at the forefront.
FOODBible has approached DoorDash for comment.
Featured Image Credit: Bloomberg/Contributor/GettyTopics: DoorDash
Lara Owen