Doordash is new to Kirksville, and many people are interested in how it actually works. So I contacted Tandra Logiudice. Logiudice has been working for Doordash for a few weeks now, and I asked her questions that seem to be on everybody’s mind.
1. Could you explain the process for picking up an order before actually delivering?
- Yeah! It was really confusing at first learning how to pick up orders at each location. They all kind of do their own thing. So I will use Colton's as an example. They have a tablet at the front of the establishment and in the kitchen that allows them to be notified when an order is placed and the customer is alerted that it will be about 45 minutes until their order is completed and delivered. On my end, I am alerted of an order ready when a notification pings on my app. This can be about 30 minutes after the customer has placed their order. This allows me time to drive to the location, check in, and get a time that the order will be ready. If everything goes well, then I can walk in and out. However, if the location is busy, I may have to wait a little. This is why there is a delay in between the customer placing the order and me getting notified of the order. It helps me (the driver) not have to wait 45 minutes while the order is being placed.
Now, some locations are not signed up directly through the door dash (la fuente) and you have to place the order the second you walk in. They are really quick with food prep.
Mcdonald's is pretty cool. They have a tablet too and they individually bag an entire order including the drink! Like in the bag. But I digress. For them, I get a ding on my app that gives me a code. This code is unique for each order. It helps them organize which drive has which order since they do not collect the customers' names. To them, we are all numbers. I go to the cash register, tell them I am with door dash, and they confirm my code, hand me the food, and head out. I usually do not have to wait for the order to be done there.
With each order, I am given a list of what the customer has ordered so that I can make sure that it is all in the bag. Though I do not check their food. Cause COVID. The less hands the better in my opinion.
2. Do you have anything in your car to help keep the food warm, or just set it in the bag it comes in?
- They did give me a few items when I signed up! This included an insulated bag to keep food warm, hand sanitizer, mask, and a spending card (red card). I do use the insulated bag if the order will fit, if not, it rides shotgun and I usually have the heat on when driving.
3. Is the app difficult to work with?
It was really intimidating at first. But no, it is not hard at all to learn the app. They give your very specific directions if something goes wrong.
4. And finally, is it enjoyable?
Yeah! I love doing it in my spare time. I have met some really interesting people. People on house arrest, a fully blind couple. It's never a boring day.
-Jasmine Donjuan (12)