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In a now-viral video, a DoorDash customer said multiple drivers refused to pick up an order of hers because she only left a $1.50 tip.
The video was posted to TikTok by Dardielle (@dardiegirl), who wrote: "[I don't] think I'm getting my food, [I will] have a dream buffet." The post has garnered over 520,000 views and, like many videos before it, sparked a debate amongst viewers over whether or not customers should be expected to tip their delivery drivers.
Tipping Your Delivery Driver
According to DoorDash's website, drivers receive a base pay for each delivery, which ranges from $2 to $10 or more "depending on the estimated time, distance, and desirability of the order." Drivers also receive 100 percent of their tips and have the opportunity to earn bonus cash through various promotions.
While this may sound like a lot, DoorDash drivers reportedly only make an average of $11 per hour, a below-minimum wage rate in several states, including California and Washington. On its website, however, DoorDash boasts that its drivers earn $25 per hour.
Regardless, The Emily Post Institute told Mashed that customers should tip their drivers anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of the bill's total.
"The Institute also says that if the driver is going through considerable trouble to deliver your meal (think challenging conditions like extreme weather), giving them a few extra dollars for their effort would be a worthwhile thing to do," Mashed said.
Meanwhile, etiquette experts Diane Gottsman and Julia Esteve Boyd told Consumer Reports that customers should tip 20 percent of the bill's total or $3 to $5, "whichever is higher."
Dardielle's Story
But Dardielle didn't follow proper tipping etiquette. In her video, she said she only tipped $1.50 on a $50 order. As a result, several DoorDash drivers refused to deliver her food.
"When every DoorDasher keeps canceling your delivery [because] you only tipped $1.50 but they don't understand you [just] got charged $50 for a McChicken at Mcdonald's [and] now you keep watching [the] delivery time go up [and] your stomach [is] touching your back," read the video's text overlay.
In her video, Dardielle dramatically slams her fist against her mattress.
Viewer Reaction
Many viewers were unsympathetic toward Dardielle and slammed her low tip.
"[T]ip better, it's a luxury service. I give a high tip because I'm making someone else do something for me," Mariah said.
"DoorDash is a luxury and people are using their time, cars, and own money to bring you food. No one owes you free delivery," lilspacebb wrote.
"The Dasher at that point is delivering your order for about $3, and depending on the mileage, it's not worth it," Kaitlyn added.
Others, meanwhile, said customers shouldn't be forced to tip drivers.
"Never tip. These [DoorDash drivers] should just do their job. I pay for food and delivery fee. Tip for what?" iArty64 asked.
"They are LITERALLY getting paid for delivering," Panyopantilu agreed.
In response to a commenter who said tips are "basically all [the money]" drivers get, someone wrote: "That's not my problem."
Jeremiah Martin added: "Y'all [are] mad at Dashers, and Dashers [are] mad at customers. Be mad that DoorDash charges too much and doesn't pay drivers enough!!"
Newsweek reached out to Dardielle for comment.
About the writer
Sara Santora is a Newsweek reporter based in Florida. Her focus is reporting on viral social media posts and trends. ... Read more