⚠️ 6 Food Delivery Gotchas to Watch For
- Stacking Service Fees: HIGH Delivery fee + service fee + small order fee + busy area fee can add $8-15+ to every order. A $15 meal becomes $30+ delivered
- Dynamic/Surge Pricing: HIGH Fees increase during peak times with no cap. Dinner rush or bad weather can double your delivery costs without clear warning
- Tip Distribution Opacity: MEDIUM How tips reach drivers isn't always clear. Some platforms have faced lawsuits over tip handling—your driver may not receive what you think
- Refund Limitations: HIGH Missing items or cold food? Refunds are often credits, not cash. Dispute too many orders and your account may be flagged or banned
- Subscription Auto-Renewal: MEDIUM "Free delivery" subscriptions ($10-15/month) auto-renew with minimal notice. Benefits may change or delivery thresholds may increase
- Restaurant Price Markup: MEDIUM Menu prices in-app often 15-30% higher than in-restaurant. "Free delivery" may be offset by inflated item prices
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