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Instacart and DoorDash’s Tip Policies Are Delivering Outrage

nytimes.com

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Re: Instacart and DoorDash’s Tip Policies Are Delivering Outrage

#11

Post by crushcrashcrush »

jonknee wrote: post #8
crushcrashcrush wrote: post #4

This is a great example in my opinion of the apathy we need to combat as technologists. Why did NO ONE in any meetings when designing this "feature" or process say anything? "This is wrong/greedy/will have blowback." No one voiced concerns? Or, more specifically, if they did, no one listened? They didn't think this would leak out, with all the hatred regarding wage stagnation, income inequality, corporate greed? A ma…

> Why did NO ONE in any meetings when designing this "feature" or process say anything? Who's to say someone didn't? All we know is they decided to steal tips, not that everyone thought it was a great idea.

I address that later in my comment...

Is this a function of schooling? MBA programs? Corporatism?

Re: Instacart and DoorDash’s Tip Policies Are Delivering Outrage

#13

Post by orky56 »

crushcrashcrush wrote: post #4

This is a great example in my opinion of the apathy we need to combat as technologists. Why did NO ONE in any meetings when designing this "feature" or process say anything? "This is wrong/greedy/will have blowback." No one voiced concerns? Or, more specifically, if they did, no one listened? They didn't think this would leak out, with all the hatred regarding wage stagnation, income inequality, corporate greed? A ma…

Unfortunately, it's the hacking mindset when it's applied to the treatment of other humans.

Re: Instacart and DoorDash’s Tip Policies Are Delivering Outrage

#14

Post by crushcrashcrush »

duxup wrote: post #7

It's terrible, but really it fits what these businesses do fundamentally. They provide a service, and and push as much risk off of the copany and onto their contractors as possible. Slow sales? Contractor just doesn't get paid. Injury? Contractor's problem, he's gone, who is next? The idea that they'd dip into the pot further to ensure more money for the company isn't much different than the rest of the risk they put…

When the pendulum swings very-left (as it will, American politics follow a tick-tock partisan pattern) I believe someone (AOC?) will crack down on "contractor" companies - they're not paying payroll taxes. Not a good thing.

Re: Instacart and DoorDash’s Tip Policies Are Delivering Outrage

#15

Post by dawhizkid »

mhb wrote: post #9
chaboud wrote: post #6

I have a simple answer: I will never use Instacart or Doordash again, ever. Even if they change their policy, they are dead to me as companies, and any company that acquires them is similarly dead to me. If you're out there, upstart disruptors, know that pulling stuff like this will cost you at least one customer for life. I'm sure that there are more people like me.

Instacart workers have urged customers not to boycott the company, which would cut even further into their earnings.

this is depressing

Re: Instacart and DoorDash’s Tip Policies Are Delivering Outrage

#16

Post by onemoresoop »

mhb wrote: post #9
chaboud wrote: post #6

I have a simple answer: I will never use Instacart or Doordash again, ever. Even if they change their policy, they are dead to me as companies, and any company that acquires them is similarly dead to me. If you're out there, upstart disruptors, know that pulling stuff like this will cost you at least one customer for life. I'm sure that there are more people like me.

Instacart workers have urged customers not to boycott the company, which would cut even further into their earnings.

Instacart workers should not allow themselves bullied to this point.

Re: Instacart and DoorDash’s Tip Policies Are Delivering Outrage

#17

Post by crushcrashcrush »

orky56 wrote: post #13
crushcrashcrush wrote: post #4

This is a great example in my opinion of the apathy we need to combat as technologists. Why did NO ONE in any meetings when designing this "feature" or process say anything? "This is wrong/greedy/will have blowback." No one voiced concerns? Or, more specifically, if they did, no one listened? They didn't think this would leak out, with all the hatred regarding wage stagnation, income inequality, corporate greed? A ma…

Unfortunately, it's the hacking mindset when it's applied to the treatment of other humans.

I've been in growth hack meetings (usually around customer acquisition and retention) this screams to me like a former PwC consultant came in and delivered PPT presentation with some sort of finance speak of "Leveraging In-App Tips to Dynamically Improve Cash Flow via User Behavior Arbitrage" or some other such nonsense.

Re: Instacart and DoorDash’s Tip Policies Are Delivering Outrage

#18

Post by jonknee »

crushcrashcrush wrote: post #11
jonknee wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Why did NO ONE in any meetings when designing this "feature" or process say anything? Who's to say someone didn't? All we know is they decided to steal tips, not that everyone thought it was a great idea.

I address that later in my comment... Is this a function of schooling? MBA programs? Corporatism?

The Excel models all look a lot nicer if you take the tips!

Re: Instacart and DoorDash’s Tip Policies Are Delivering Outrage

#19

Post by CydeWeys »

mhb wrote: post #9
chaboud wrote: post #6

I have a simple answer: I will never use Instacart or Doordash again, ever. Even if they change their policy, they are dead to me as companies, and any company that acquires them is similarly dead to me. If you're out there, upstart disruptors, know that pulling stuff like this will cost you at least one customer for life. I'm sure that there are more people like me.

Instacart workers have urged customers not to boycott the company, which would cut even further into their earnings.

There's plenty of former employees who've left issues with low pay and these policies. I'd rather show solidarity with them by not supporting their exploitative former employer.

Re: Instacart and DoorDash’s Tip Policies Are Delivering Outrage

#20

Post by Cyclone_ »

chaboud wrote: post #6

I have a simple answer: I will never use Instacart or Doordash again, ever. Even if they change their policy, they are dead to me as companies, and any company that acquires them is similarly dead to me. If you're out there, upstart disruptors, know that pulling stuff like this will cost you at least one customer for life. I'm sure that there are more people like me.

You can give cash tips instead.
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