DoorDash from Application to IPO

#1

Post by todsacerdoti » Wed, Dec 09, 2020, 5:20 PM UTC

DoorDash from Application to IPO
blog.ycombinator.com

Re: DoorDash from Application to IPO

#2

Post by pb » Wed, Dec 09, 2020, 5:51 PM UTC

I love watching these videos so many years later. Great examples for anyone considering applying to YC!

Re: DoorDash from Application to IPO

#3

Post by JeremyBanks » Wed, Dec 09, 2020, 5:58 PM UTC

I used to use DoorDash, and tipped very well since I knew the workers could really use it.

And then I learned that the company has been stealing tips from the workers who need it, so that they can make their finances look better in anticipation of this IPO.

https://www.vox.com/recode/2019/8/20/20825937/doordash-tippi...

I haven't used the service since.

Re: DoorDash from Application to IPO

#4

Post by kneel » Wed, Dec 09, 2020, 6:03 PM UTC

So many companies cashing in on IPOs this year, good for them.

I still cannot support a company that pockets tips intended for their drivers, it's pure greed.

Re: DoorDash from Application to IPO

#5

Post by raverbashing » Wed, Dec 09, 2020, 6:03 PM UTC

So how's their business model different from Deliveroo/Just Eat?

Re: DoorDash from Application to IPO

#6

Post by ravenstine » Wed, Dec 09, 2020, 6:04 PM UTC

JeremyBanks wrote: post #3

I used to use DoorDash, and tipped very well since I knew the workers could really use it. And then I learned that the company has been stealing tips from the workers who need it, so that they can make their finances look better in anticipation of this IPO. https://www.vox.com/recode/2019/8/20/20825937/doordash-tippi... I haven't used the service since.

I don't really know the precise details, but I'm pretty sure their pay model changed after the backlash(and being sued) to the tip-stealing.

Still, I wouldn't choose DoorDash unless it was the only option in my area. When I was driving for GrubHub I met a lot of other delivery drivers and everyone considered DoorDash to be the the worst in terms of treatment of drivers. In other words, bad support and tip stealing. We referred to it as "DoorTrash" or "PoorDash" for that reason. Postmates has pretty much nonexistent driver support but at least they didn't steal tips and it was pretty difficult to get fired from it randomly.

Re: DoorDash from Application to IPO

#7

Post by fataliss » Wed, Dec 09, 2020, 6:07 PM UTC

kneel wrote: post #4

So many companies cashing in on IPOs this year, good for them. I still cannot support a company that pockets tips intended for their drivers, it's pure greed.

Probably only one of the few tricks we know of. These companies running unscalable models by burning VC money like it's firewood have to somehow smooth the numbers.

Re: DoorDash from Application to IPO

#8

Post by lambda_obrien » Wed, Dec 09, 2020, 6:08 PM UTC

ravenstine wrote: post #6

JeremyBanks wrote: post #3

I used to use DoorDash, and tipped very well since I knew the workers could really use it. And then I learned that the company has been stealing tips from the workers who need it, so that they can make their finances look better in anticipation of this IPO. https://www.vox.com/recode/2019/8/20/20825937/doordash-tippi... I haven't used the service since.

I don't really know the precise details, but I'm pretty sure their pay model changed after the backlash(and being sued) to the tip-stealing. Still, I wouldn't choose DoorDash unless it was the only option in my area. When I was driving for GrubHub I met a lot of other delivery drivers and everyone considered DoorDash to be the the worst in terms of treatment of drivers. In other words, bad support and tip stealing. W…

A company that would allow that in the first place should not be trusted later on, claiming they "fixed it". It's such a clear violation of ethics and morals. I don't get how a corporation can literally steal money from it's employees, say it's "sorry" and it "fixed the problem" and get off freely.

Re: DoorDash from Application to IPO

#9

Post by elpakal » Wed, Dec 09, 2020, 6:09 PM UTC

Love it! It's great to see initial skepticism from YC about how this wasn't working. I feel like you see IPO write-ups like these and it's always implied that everyone around them always knew they were going to make it.

That said, I searched the entire article for the words "luck" and "lucky" and see none. No doubt the pandemic and WFH life helped them, and that's something even YC couldn't have predicted.

Re: DoorDash from Application to IPO

#10

Post by ceejayoz » Wed, Dec 09, 2020, 6:10 PM UTC

ravenstine wrote: post #6

JeremyBanks wrote: post #3

I used to use DoorDash, and tipped very well since I knew the workers could really use it. And then I learned that the company has been stealing tips from the workers who need it, so that they can make their finances look better in anticipation of this IPO. https://www.vox.com/recode/2019/8/20/20825937/doordash-tippi... I haven't used the service since.

I don't really know the precise details, but I'm pretty sure their pay model changed after the backlash(and being sued) to the tip-stealing. Still, I wouldn't choose DoorDash unless it was the only option in my area. When I was driving for GrubHub I met a lot of other delivery drivers and everyone considered DoorDash to be the the worst in terms of treatment of drivers. In other words, bad support and tip stealing. W…

I'm pretty sure an organization willing to play with that sort of dark pattern has any number of other dark patterns in the wings.