Dasher Diary: What Amarillo Delivery Drivers Appreciate the Most

There are several reasons that Amarillo residents decide to do a side hustle. The majority of people are looking for extra money. That has to be the main reason. Some of us just want something fun to do while making extra money. I love it for those reasons and to have something to talk about at work. It's a win-win.

As a delivery person, whether you do this for DoorDash, Uber Eats, or countless other apps some things are the same. You get an order. You have a set time to decide if the order is worth it to you or not. You accept or decline. If you accept you head to the pickup area.

Your order may be ready. You may have to wait. This waiting time is spent by a lot of delivery people by scrolling through their phones. I do that some but I also like to talk to the other delivery people or even the store people. I have met so many people in this past year since I started working for DoorDash and Uber Eats.

Over that year I have recognized some of the things that we really appreciate. These are the things that make us smile and make our day so much better. The more we can experience in a day the better.

What Delivery Drivers Appreciate the Most

• Decent Tips - Of course, we want to make money so a good tip is very appreciated. We know there are a lot of fees when using a delivery service. We don't get any of those fees. We know it's expensive but so is filling up our gas tank every day. A good tip goes a long way.
• Cash Tips on Top of Tips in the App - Yes, they happen. Usually, the ones that tip cash have already tipped. It's very rare (and I promise customers say it a lot that they tip in person) usually they don't. Those that tip cash are tipping extra and we appreciate that so much.
• Big Streets - Nothing is better than delivering on a street that is big enough that is makes it easy for us to turn around. Or one that is on a cul-de-sac and has a built-in turnaround. That makes our trip back start easy peasy.
• All Highways Open and Clear - I know this is a pipe dream but do you know how great it would be to have both I40 and I27 open and clear with no construction? I know this is a pain for all drivers. Now imagine having to go on these highways several times in an hour. How beautiful would it be not to have to come up with alternate routes.
• Visible Addresses - We appreciate it so much if we knew for sure we were delivering to the correct house. Nothing makes that more of a guarantee then a clearly marked house. It can be on the house itself, paint on the driveway, address on the mailbox, or anything to give us a fighting chance to know we are at the right place.
• Porch Lights On - If you are ordering food when it is dark please leave your porch light on. Again it makes it easier for us. We feel safer and your food will be easier to drop off.
• Parking in Front of the House - This is a nice one too. It is nice if we get to your house and we can park right in front and not in front of a neighbors house or down the street. If we are in front of your house you at least are expecting us. The neighbors are not and we get a lot of people peeking out of their front door or blinds to see what we are up to. If there is parking at your house it's a win.
• Customer Cancelling Order After Pick-up - It doesn't happen a lot but when it does man that is a win. Why? Because we get to keep your food. We get to eat your food. Nothing makes a delivery person happier than getting an extra bonus like that.
• Restaurant Giving Us a Free Drink or Food - Again another thing that doesn't happen a lot but is so appreciated. A restaurant that gives you as a delivery person some free breadsticks or chips. I will always take free food. They do sometimes offer a free drink. All of that is appreciated.
• Leave at Door - A lot of us delivery people prefer to leave the order at the door. Mainly because we have to take a photo of the delivery so there is proof that you got your food. It is also faster. If we leave it at the door we don't have to wait for someone to get to the door. If you do select the hand it to me option please be near the door to answer. We want to get back to making more money so the quicker the transaction the better. I mean you do get several updates and know when we are close so be ready.
• Apartment Drop-Offs - If you live in an apartment nothing is better than having the location marked in the app correctly. That way the GPS brings us right to your building. It's also very helpful if you list what building number you live in. Even if the GPS brings you there sometimes it is a building or two off. So having confirmation is nice. Maybe listing the name of your apartment. That would be a great start. It's also great to know what floor you are on. That way we don't just aimlessly start walking and looking at every door. The apartments here in Amarillo are not always easily navigated. I promise.

Delivering food can be very rewarding but sometimes it is the little things that make us smile. It's a good day when several things on the list happen.