Live data from Hacker News

DoorDash raises $535M, now valued at $1.4B

techcrunch.com

61–70 of 134 posts

Re: DoorDash raises $535M, now valued at $1.4B

#61
post #55

Unfortunately I no longer use DoorDash. The concept was amazing, but I’ve had one too many questionable people deliver my food that the last time it happened I didn’t even eat it. I’m a huge fan of the “1 million jobs” type of companies like this, but there’s a level of trust that comes with allowing someone to handle the food you eat. I’m not even a judgemental individual, and I hate people that are, but I shouldn’t…

My mom never used to let us order pizza delivery because she didn’t want a pizza delivery guy to know who we were and where we lived. Remember going out to the pizza shop in 5 degree F weather with my dad.

I'm well into my 40s with numerous kids and I still drive to the pizza place to pickup whenever I order. I never understood delivery unless there is some urgent need to stay home.

Re: DoorDash raises $535M, now valued at $1.4B

#62
post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure I even understand what the network effects are here. I guess there are some potential efficiencies with having a single delivery company that handles deliveries rather than individual restaurants but it seems like a stretch. People I know who live in cities tend to just have a stack of take-out pizza/Chinese food/etc. menus for places that deliver (or not). Maybe I'm missing something but it doesn't real…

Maybe its where you live? I live in Las Vegas, and with the 24 lifestyle that often includes drinking, these services have absolutely blown up out here. Granted its a pretty special case in terms of city density coupled with a larger than normal group of restaurants that are open late or 24 hours. That and the 215 beltway makes it so even if someone wants something from across town its not much of a hassle (lest its…

It's fair that there's been an increased expectation of near-immediate gratification. As a result, although a fair number of restaurants in cities have long offered delivery, it's not clear that ad hoc delivery on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis necessarily scales to this new world.

It will probably vary by location though. I live about 40 miles out of Boston and adjacent to a couple smaller cities. I have basically no food delivery options.

Re: DoorDash raises $535M, now valued at $1.4B

#63
post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree taxes are not hidden charges, but it does sound a little deceitful to me that doordash bundles taxes with their service fee as one line item on their checkout page. And, I don't share the same sympathy for the doordash drivers. I was already charged a delivery fee and a service fee separately, why is it still my responsibility to make sure the drivers get paid enough and not doordash's. Besides, the idea of t…

The crazy thing is with all those fees, service charges, and markups they are still just barely contribution margin profitable. Amazon Prime Now / Restaurants guarantees a delivery driver a certain wage (say $XX/hr, depends on market). However what that really means is while your tip is technically going to the driver, until they exceed $XX/hr, you're just saving Amazon from having to pay them instead. I still tip, b…

Guess that explains why my amazon drivers said they always preferred cash...

Re: DoorDash raises $535M, now valued at $1.4B

#64
Since moving just outside of Portland, none of these delivery companies cover my area with the exception of uber eats. It's insane considering how many large corps are all around (intel, nike, etc).

Edit: Apparently grubhub decided my address was in their area, nice!

Re: DoorDash raises $535M, now valued at $1.4B

#65
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My mom never used to let us order pizza delivery because she didn’t want a pizza delivery guy to know who we were and where we lived. Remember going out to the pizza shop in 5 degree F weather with my dad.

I'm well into my 40s with numerous kids and I still drive to the pizza place to pickup whenever I order. I never understood delivery unless there is some urgent need to stay home.

It's Sunday. You're extremely hungover. Chinese food sounds great. What's not to understand about ordering delivery? Ultimately it boils down to convenience.

Re: DoorDash raises $535M, now valued at $1.4B

#66
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My mom never used to let us order pizza delivery because she didn’t want a pizza delivery guy to know who we were and where we lived. Remember going out to the pizza shop in 5 degree F weather with my dad.

I'm well into my 40s with numerous kids and I still drive to the pizza place to pickup whenever I order. I never understood delivery unless there is some urgent need to stay home.

I don't have any of this available where I live. But there are definitely times when I'd be willing to pay for something to be delivered rather than having to hop in my car and drive 10 minutes or whatever to pick something up.

Re: DoorDash raises $535M, now valued at $1.4B

#67
post #57

I really want to like all of these services. I've used Grubhub, Uber Eats and DoorDash. My problem with them is that it costs way more than eating at the restaurant. It's usually 30% - 40% of the cost of the food for delivery, service fees and tip. I've always wondered why it wasn't cheaper to do take out than eat at a restaurant. I'm not taking up a parking space, table, using facilities, or taking up as much of the…

IIRC, it is common in the UK to charge different prices for dine-in vs take-out. Can anyone confirm?

Re: DoorDash raises $535M, now valued at $1.4B

#68
post #57

I really want to like all of these services. I've used Grubhub, Uber Eats and DoorDash. My problem with them is that it costs way more than eating at the restaurant. It's usually 30% - 40% of the cost of the food for delivery, service fees and tip. I've always wondered why it wasn't cheaper to do take out than eat at a restaurant. I'm not taking up a parking space, table, using facilities, or taking up as much of the…

In January I caught the flu and was down for 2 weeks. Amazon Prime Now and food delivery services like Uber Eats were a blessing.

The reason why takeout isn't cheaper is they want to encourage you to sit in the restaurant. You're more likely to order drinks, desserts, and have a more controlled/positive emotional response to the eating experience.

Re: DoorDash raises $535M, now valued at $1.4B

#69
post #64

Since moving just outside of Portland, none of these delivery companies cover my area with the exception of uber eats. It's insane considering how many large corps are all around (intel, nike, etc). Edit: Apparently grubhub decided my address was in their area, nice!

The availability of most of these delivery services seems to be very dependent on density and demographics. You get out of the core metro areas of relatively large cities and the options for these types of services tends to decrease dramatically.

Re: DoorDash raises $535M, now valued at $1.4B

#70
One of the big players should launch a giant warehouse - serving as a giant kitchen. Capable of cooking all kinds of different varieties of cuisine and tons of automation. And a huge staff of well-trained chefs cooking, and delivering to a ~50 mile radius.

I'd imagine they'd open this in - say Fremont - and deliver to the entire bay area.

It would be great, because I could order Mexican food for me, Indian food for the wife, and the kids could have a couple hamburgers.

Seems like something Amazon would be good at.

Post reply on HN