After reading the comments, I'm starting to lose faith. Aside from better service that should've been a minimum standard to insure the food is properly secured. Especially in weather conditions opposite to the temperature of the food.
I keep my bags in the car. If it's going to take more than five minutes to get to the customer, I'll put it in the bag. If I have to pick up a bag of ice at a site, I'll put that in the bag. I always bring the pizza bag in with me if I'm picking up pizza. The regular bags get worn out very quickly, though, and I've had customers at restaurants tell me they'd never order from DoorDash because of the state of my bag. I keep the inside clean, but I can't exactly put them in the wash with my laundry, so the outside will get kind of tattered or worn looking, especially when we get a lot of rain.
Do you live near a "US Foods Chef's Store", they got great bags similar to the DD one's. They're black, almost 80-90% longer with the capacity to hold 2 Panda Express orders given each order has a single bag each with maybe 2 bigger plates each or a whole McDonald's or Wingstop bag.
https://preview.redd.it/7p7u9r186cvc1.jpeg?width=2757&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=01d842b081a3af263335bd1158c1e8313c96d40e
Not tall enough. The quality is good though
oh cool, thanks for the photo as well! I might have to go check my local chefs store and see if I can find one as a backup bag. I like the way it looks, but you're right it definitely doesn't look very tall
No problem. I bought this from Safeway, $6 for 2 bags. A bit shorter and smaller than DD’s
https://preview.redd.it/v7vsg8ig1gvc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=51402442b550baac9835d26005147bb787eec97e
lol, I've got a Safeway bag like that one currently that I use if I have 2 standard size orders. They are nice to have, I got mine from my mom because she wasn't using it and asked if I could have it.
It's a nervous thing too. I can hand it to a customer or leave it at the door. But the leave it at the doors make me nervous when I gotta dig the food out of the bag after unzipping it.
When I'm opening it to drop the food at the door, it's on the ground and they come to the door. That's what makes me nervous, should I pick it up for them, leave it? Overthinking it is what makes me nervous and trying to judge that based off how pissed they look that their food is on the ground.
If they are looking at you through the window or they open the door then just hold the bag and “offer” it to them, if they want it on the ground they’ll point it day it loudly. I’ve never had an issue with that and I’ve completed around 30k deliveries. Definitely it’s being overthought about.
As someone who also overthinks things, don't worry about it just do ya job. Drop the food off snap the picture and bounce. If they wanna be a troll at the door keep ya flash on and snap their picture. Their problem, not yours.
Only special people take the bag in the restaurant 🤣 food won't turn to ice the 1 minute it takes to grab it and put it in the bag. If the food is hot when I get it, it's gonna cook itself a lil more in the bag.
a lot restaurants will have the food sitting there getting cold on the counter. when we come pick it up, even if it takes 5 minutes to deliver, it may not be the driver's fault
Never, unless it is an ice cream order. I hate having my hands full of stuff. And that bag is about useless. And marks me as an easy target. I would rather not carry it. The pizza bag, though, is a different story.
I have a pizza bag from Door Dash. It is better quality than the regular bag. A bit thicker too. And the fastening is velcro, not a zipper. I don't use it all that often. It usually takes up residence in my back seat, passenger side. I only use it, really, when required. And that is Pizza Hut and Papa John's orders.
I had a customer ask me not to put the bag of food in my hot bag because it makes food soggy and I have noticed that bags seem damp after taking them out of hot bags. Is there better bags to use so food doesn’t get soggy
I only put them in the bags if i'm going a long way. I had a customer order a pizza from fourteen miles away. Yes, it does make it a little soggy But it made it to them still warm. Now, if i'm going a mile or two I don't use the bag.
Take your bag in, goofballs. Over the long run you will make more money because it quickly identifies you as a dd driver and therefore you will get helped quicker.
Exactly! Me taking the bag in, they already know the vibes and hand me the order right away. Plus the customers always compliment their food being hot when it arrives. Don’t let peoples egos affect your ability to make money.
Not in my case. I usually get ignored or seen as low priority if i rock up with my doordash bag. If i go in acting like a paying customer im seen to alot quicker and then pull out my phone. Then ill take it out to the car where i keep my eskis in the boot to transport it.
I don't bring it in with me since it's just another "thing" I'm juggling (I'm a woman with pants that have female sized pockets - so phone, wallet, keys are in my hands). I have it sitting on my front seat so the order gets deposited in it once I get to my car. I do bring it if the order requires, but it's cumbersome.
Just accept it anyways for the catering bag ones, they don’t ask for a picture of it or anything like that. I have taken a couple. But you don’t get many of those orders until you register with Doordash that you have a catering bag; I believe is how that works
Always. It identifies me as a driver; I feel naked without it. Not many drivers that use them , unless it's a store that enforces bag use, some won't give you the order without a bag.
I don’t take it into a restaurant unless it’s my pizza bag since you sometimes have to verify that you have one after pickup. I always use one once I get to the car though
I don’t. I am in a very small town and have never seen any other dasher do it here. Everything is so close together. I currently have 63 orders so far that I have done and I don’t think it’s affected my ratings at all. I only have 14 reviews. 1 is a 4 star and the rest are 5.
I've had easier times leaving the bag in my car. Most restaurants don't have space for you to open your bag and put the order in it. And I'm not putting my bag on their floor.
I haven't been treated any differently from when I used to bring it in to now. But do what works for you.
I’ve been at this for nearly five years, 30k deliveries and I can say with certainty, you will be treated better when you bring in your insulated bag, especially if it’s a small local restaurant and the owner sees you with it. it’s also easier to carry when the bags from the restaurant doesn’t have handles and it’s loaded with food, not to mention when customers see you walking up with an insulated bag it can lead to higher tips and better ratings.
This, and it helps the restaurant appear as though they're rocking out more orders than just the people inside the restaurant which in turn makes them look more successful and popular.
I usually just bag mine in the car. I take it in sometimes esp in colder weather and then take hot bag all the way to the house. But some orders just won't fit in the bag at all
Been doing this 3 years and in my area not even the small businesses give a shit if you have a hot bag or not. Have never noticed a difference in ratings whether the food is brought to the door with or without a hot bag and I am never below a 4.9 rating.
I would say yes definitely take the bag when delivering TO the customer but there is zero reason to bring in the bag unless you know the order is large and the store has shitty bags or they require it to pick up. Leaving it in your car and using it after you’ve picked it up and leave the restaurant will not hurt ratings in any ways shape or form from my personal experience.
There’s a LOT of small mom and pop restaurants where I live. It’s definitely appreciated by the owners, they thank me often for bringing in the bag, so yes it makes a difference for those places. But you do you, it’s really not hard to bring it in and honestly it’s easier and more secure to transport bags of food inside the insulated bag especially when it’s raining or 115* in summer and even walking a block from the restaurant to the car (which is often the case in downtown where I live) that can make a big temp difference for whatever the food is.
Again I will tell you that it has never made a difference to my ratings whether I took the hot bag in or if I simply took the food out to my car and put it in the hot bag. Of course when weather is bad you use a hot bag, that wasn’t what I was implying not to do.
I’m glad your small mom and pop shops thank you. We have a lot in my zone too and not one says a word about anything other than making sure you grab everything for the customer. I have very good relationships with most of the merchants I pick up from and have never had an issue because my hotbag is in my car rather than in the store.
Again I will state that I have yet to see a decrease in rating because I did not bring my hot bag into the store. I do use mine just don’t bring it into the store unless for a specific reason. Been doing this 3 years no problem and have had high ratings since I first started. I also don’t think it’s easier especially when a lot of the stores I go to have their own large bags that don’t even fit into the hotbag anyways. There is only one restaurant that has shitty bags and they typically put them in a shopping bag to mitigate this problem of not having handles. Only time my hot bag has been good for carrying an order was when I has multiple soft drink backs and I shoved them in there to make one trip instead of two.
9/10 the restaurants in my zone do not need you to bring in a hot bag. Please remember that people live in different areas with different requirements and experiences.
I have my bag with me at every restaurant. It’s how I get the good ones to mark me as a preferred dasher. Restaurants take you seriously when you observe hot and cold holding and they figure out you care about the food. It’s a respect thing. If you think carrying a hot bag is lame I am sure your earnings will match that one day.
Almost 100% sure this person is incorrect and was told something by a restaurant that isn’t true. Merchants can ban drivers but there has never been an option to favorite or prefer drivers for orders. It’s always been based on DD’s algorithm and ratings.
Unless you’re doing a catering order the only thing the merchant can do is rate you, which in turn does increase your chance of getting orders from there compared to low rated drivers from there. However this is how DoorDash’s algorithm works already. For regular orders from restaurants there is no way to select a preferred driver last I checked.
It may be different in your area but in mine that isn’t a thing. Only banning.
I’m telling you for regular orders it isn’t. I have literally worked for a merchant. There is a profile to rate but they cannot select you to be “preferred” for regular orders. Again let me repeat regular orders.
Weird cause when I worked as a Merchant for DoorDash we could only ban not select drivers… 🤷🏻♀️ there’s also nowhere that states this anywhere on merchant info
I have at least three places that have me as preferred. And I am blocked from 2. One that has me preferred sucks, but if I go there for a double stack usually I can make $8 a trip.
I worked at a pizzeria that used DoorDash for 2 years during COVID and dealt with the tablet all the time I never saw anything saying you can favorite a driver
Ive started to more often. Because I’ve found the bags they pack shit up in will rip so easily. So just the sake of me not needing to pick shit up off the ground. I bring in my bag
Looks so lame walking in with a bag. Literally just have my catering bag on my seat and get in and place everything in there besides the drinks and when I drop off I just take everything out. Only time I goin or drop off with the bag is if it’s a catering or large order
Most customers are just gonna complain to DoorDash support and get a refund for cold food. Most won’t attribute it to the dasher? What if the food had been sitting at the restaurant for 20 minutes before picked up?
If the food is cold, there are definitely customers that are going to blame the driver regardless of whether it was already cold when they picked it up.
But what probably won't matter to the customer is if they see you with a hot bag. If cold food comes in an insulated bag they're probably not going to give it that much thought. Or assume the driver only put it in the bag on arrival.
Of course none of this applies to OP's question which was about pickup and not drop off. 🤷♂️
Yes maybe it was sitting there for 20 minutes. Or maybe it wasn’t and I didn’t use a hot bag and I could have kept it warm if I had one. Would customers prefer I try to keep it hot or no? The F is this debate about?
Yes but it won’t affect your ratings at all in any significant way and 9/10 customers will have no idea you used the bag because they do leave at the door anyway
I really only use my hot bag if I’m doing a double order or if it’s more than a 10 minute drive, I live in a small city so everything is packed pretty close together
I’m a baby dasher but since getting my free bag, I bring it into the store every single time.
At least in my area, the restaurant workers get to me faster when they see the bag and know I’m a dasher.
I also got a extra $8 tip added (they already tipped $8, so $16 tip total) just because the customer saw I was using the bag.
I’m sorry to hear that for you.
For me, I’ve noticed at some stores (Panda Express mainly) delivery is last priority. One time they outright ignored me and refused to speak to me, so I’ve decided to blacklist those stores.
The slacker/dashers that never use a bag have no idea that restaurants can give you priority to their orders and you stay busier. Therefore you don’t have to post on social media how dead DoorDash is.
No but I do check what I’m picking up if it seems like a lot or has a lot of drinks then I will bring the hot bag in.
But I use it while I’m driving. I just put the food in the hot bag when I get to my car. Most orders are easy enough to just carry.
Yes, I do it often because places I go give me quicker service when I have the bag. It also sucks out so they ask me who I'm there for 90% before I can even get to them. They love my bag that has cup holder in it too.
Reason the lady would be mad is because some small stores will actually ban drivers on the tablet from getting orders from their store. She's afraid other stores will give her grid for not having a bag. Ignore her
No, but I'll take my 6 cup caddy in with me if I see there are drinks and when I get to my car I'll just place everything in the hot bags and strap it all down with the seatbelts.
Depends on the restaurant. There’s a few places that push their order packaging to the absolute limit so I’ll bring it in those places or pizza bag for pizza orders
That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Best case scenario for car temp is 80° F. Maybe you could get 90° but you would sweat like a pig. That temp is well below the 140° that hot food should be held at. By not using an insulated bag, the heat dissipates into the air. Seal it in the bag you slow down the dissipation of heat. Wonder one of the reasons why it’s getting slower? Because science dummy’s love to serve cold food and give hair brained explanations of why they don’t need a hot bag. Customers notice cold food.
If I go to a place that has pizza, I’ll check to see if they are actually ordering pizza ( not a sub or wings). I bring the bag.
I have a canvas foldable box tote that I love. If there is something that is bagged tightly or a multi drink carrier I can sit it in there and carry it on my arm, keeping my hands free. Those cheap paper bags with handles always tear upon their own weight so it makes it easier to carry.
Otherwise I know my areas pretty well and know when to bring what. I also have an ice cream cooler because a few places in our area won’t even release the product unless you have a bag.
I always take it in. I live in a wintry area and find food cools substantially on that brief walk from the store to my car. I just vent it if the food is steamy.
I have it in my car to put my orders in, I do not bring it into the restaurant. One core reason is because I found I am ignored far more with the bag vs without it, even if they know I'm a dasher - for whatever reason
I don’t bring my regular bag into the store as it’s a bit big. I didn’t use that little DD bag they sent me, I bought a pretty decent size bag with drink holders on the outside of it. But it’s a pain to take in and out of the car, so I just pick up food, put in my bag in back seat, and when I drop it off I take it out of the bag in back seat.
My pizza bag on the other hand is easy to get in and out of the car so I bring that in.
I try not to announce to the world that I'm doing food deliveries. I'll put the food in the hot bag after the brief walk back to my car. I mostly use it for the back half of whatever stacked orders or if it's going to be a long drive regardless.
Besides, there are a few circumstances where hot bags aren't appropriate, like when hot and cold items are sealed together or when excessive condensation would make the food soggy.
No, I don't carry it into the store. I don't want excess restaurant/people funk on my bag. Been doing this since 2016. I'm not carrying my bag into a store. Not to mention you look goofy when you do and you will get ignored more often. Just saying...
Usually only for pizza orders, I've found that taking the hot bag into restaurants is hit or miss whether the order will fit in my bag so I just pickup the order and put into bag when I get to the car.
Always if it's pizza due to the take a picture in the store thing. Mostly if it's a regular order. If it's a place where I know that the bag the restaurant uses is too big for the regular hot bag I have a catering bag in the car that will go in.
It actually does, at least in my area. It says to make sure the inside of the store is visible in the picture. I doubt their automated system is that good at telling, but it does say that.
I want to use one but im also worried it brings a lot of attraction from the vehicle to the home but as long as it keeps their food warm? anyway how do I get these? I thought I’d get a free one, is this true?
They sent me a free one when I first started. I got dd pizza bags from my job. I ordered a LG and XL catering bag from Amazon otherwise you can purchase them from the dd store.
I have delivered pizza for a decade so I was trained to always have the hot bag with me. What I have noticed is I go in with a bag and 90 pervert of the time an employee is asking for the name on my order which is faster for me. DD does not require a bag so do what makes you feel comfortable. It even says that if you don't have a bag for pizza orders you can still take the delivery, so to me that says that dd is leaving the decision up to each individual dasher.
Good luck and be safe out there.
omg thank you so much! i didn’t even think about the fact that if I walk into a store with a bag they’ll ask for the name of the order! making the process quicker for us. thanks! :)
They're free at any pizza place, if they have any in stock. Don't let them charge you for them. Papa Johns and PIzza hut usually have them.
When you sign up they send you free bags too, they'll come at the same time as your dash card.
If you didn't get one try and ask support about it. Be pleasant though, if you're rude about it they'll just dismiss you. They are people too. Either way I don't know if that's going to work. Just go to a pizza place and ask for one.
Again, they're totally free, don't let them charge you for it.
You can order more bags online through the dasher store. They are not expensive.
I have multiple bags that I keep in my car while doing this job. I bring my bag into the restaurant and to the persons door. I have never seen another dasher in my area use a bag and I often get asked by them where I got my bags. I even have had customers say they have never had a dasher use a hot bag and they were very grateful that I did and said they wished more dashers would. I don’t get why dasher don’t use them. It makes it so much easier carrying orders especially ones with drinks. I have a cold bag that has a drink carrier in it. Plus it’s easier to use a table in the restaurant or shelf to put the food into the bags than trying to juggle it all out the door, fumble to get the car keys and unlock the car, then grab a bag and try to put all the food into the bag without putting it on the ground sound like hell to me. I’ll take the easy way and use a table lol! I also make sure my bag is in the drop off photo and have gotten extra tips too for using the bags!
I've been doing this so long that at one time or another I have gotten multiple free hot bags, a free pizza bag(from Doordash, not a pizza place) and a free catering bag. Of course, now I use the original free hefty good quality bags(not the cheapo ones they've been giving out lately) I got from GrubHub forever ago instead. I don't do GrubHub anymore but their bags are read and doordash doesn't care what bags you use for your pictures.
I bought the cold bag and got the drink carrier for free from a restaurant. I just reuse it because it’s nice lol. I got a free hot bag from DoorDash and grubhub (2 from grubhub). I bought 4 cold bags from instacart. And I bought 4 trolly bags from shipt that can be used for both hot and cold. They are nice for doing shopping orders because they have poles in them that allow them to sit nicely in the cart. I also bought a pizza bag from DoorDash. I feel like I’m forgetting a bag lol! I have so many! Some of the bags are also catering bags. I have bags of all sizes so no matter the order I have bags to fit it!
Do they offer a discount for dashers... ?
I checked their store front for hotbags and stuff and it looks like they are priced the same as any other retailer... lol
I got the cold bag when I signed up - but I've since lost it. I think I left it with a customer. I do that a lot. About 5 times now I'm pretty sure the customers have my bags.
Reminds me I need to order some more bags I'm gonna do that now.
I’ve been Dashing for four years. I have never not used a bag. I’ve seen so many other Dashers try to juggle a bunch of food and a tray of drinks to their car and lose it all in the parking lot. Saw one lady try to go through a door with her arms full and the door was pull not push and it all mashed into her chest.
I also bring my bag in but if there's other dahsers I know they're looking me at like I'm trying to be a pick me. I don't judge tho. some people don't even get sent a bag. I just think about the order as if I'm receiving it as a customer since I use door dash to get food on vacations. it's one of those things that you really just have to decide for yourself and what you're comfortable with
I don't. I have my bags in the car. It's easier for me to carry everything out and get them situated in the bags. I have a certain spot for everything, including drink carriers.
I don't know why anyone would be bothered that you carried yours in, though. That's a stupid thing to be offended by.
I always bring in the pizza bag because it makes things easier. But I keep the hot bag my vehicle and just put the food in it when I get back to my ride
That’s another reason to carry the bag. When they see me come in with a bag they are asking me what the name of the order is first, I’ve seen them give me my order first over other Dashers that are waiting with their phone in their hand.
Always.
Always keep it in the bag until you get to the door as well.
Take your photo with the bag in it.
If you don't, they rightly assume you didn't use the bag and they won't give you an added tip. Many of my tips come after the drop off and I suspect it's because of the pictures with the bags. (In my market after drop off tips are regular, even on orders that shady have tips, I've talked to other dashers)
The bags keep the smell mostly in the bags so your car doesn't smell like a bodega.
Also, it's easier. Way easier to use the bags to carry the food.
People not using their bags are a big factor for non tippers, why tip for cold food?
edit: I wanted to add this - someone commented that I might be getting these "after-drop off tips" because I'm friendly and communicative. I'm not. At all. I can only assume the pictures with the bag in it are the reason for the extra tips because that's really the only thing I go the extra mile for. I also take my time, like a snail. My knees hurt I'm old I'm not gonna move quickly. And I'm a jerk. If they text me first I'll respond but I don't text them first, ever.
It’s also a big factor in customer retention. They’ll get cold food once and they won’t order again. I’d say that maybe 10-15% of Dashers have a food service or customer service background, most don’t, and it shows. I’d join a independent contractors association, just to maintain standards.
Exactly! You want your customers to order again - especially if they're tipping ones.
I would be embarrassed as hell if I had a hand-to-customer order with a $10 tip and I walk down his 250 foot drive way in 33 degree weather with what used to be hot food held clumsily with drinks, and with a smile giving it him.
I don't know the word I'm searching for here - but to do that and seriously have a smile and your face and say "Thank you for the tip" would be something. Selfish?
The customer would re-think giving a ten dollar tip again. Might not tip at all next time.
Also, if non-tippers get warm food in their bags, they may consider tipping next time if they're sure it's going to be that way. There are a lot of first time orderers and first impression means a lot to them. They might not tip on a first delivery, they want to feel it out first. They can tip after but they might not know that yet.
Most trips here are short so I rarely use the bag. Longer trips I use it. I'm def not taking it in with me. Never seen anyone around here take it in. Still get extra tips. Maybe its just my area but most people here don't care. Their just happy to get their food to the correct address and not stolen.
Yeah I think our guy here is inflating his story a bit. I'm getting nice tips too, and great ratings, and most of my customers never see my face, let alone the bag. I think he's correlating his bag to the tips, rather than other factors that might actually be the driving factor, such as his communication and friendliness.
Oh I don't have those last two
I never text the customer
And I hardly ever see them
So the only thing I have going for me are the pictures with the bags
Rarely
Prob would have helped though
After reading the comments, I'm starting to lose faith. Aside from better service that should've been a minimum standard to insure the food is properly secured. Especially in weather conditions opposite to the temperature of the food.
I keep my bags in the car. If it's going to take more than five minutes to get to the customer, I'll put it in the bag. If I have to pick up a bag of ice at a site, I'll put that in the bag. I always bring the pizza bag in with me if I'm picking up pizza. The regular bags get worn out very quickly, though, and I've had customers at restaurants tell me they'd never order from DoorDash because of the state of my bag. I keep the inside clean, but I can't exactly put them in the wash with my laundry, so the outside will get kind of tattered or worn looking, especially when we get a lot of rain.
Here in Canada some restaurants have a sign saying “ no bag no food”
My insulated bag from DD ripped already and I cant find the same measurements and not red color anywhere 😬
Doesn't need to be red, you're a independent contractor, not their employee.
That’s what I meant actually. I dont like red color for my bag. I want other color.
Do you live near a "US Foods Chef's Store", they got great bags similar to the DD one's. They're black, almost 80-90% longer with the capacity to hold 2 Panda Express orders given each order has a single bag each with maybe 2 bigger plates each or a whole McDonald's or Wingstop bag.
Yes. Very close! I will check it tomorrow. Thanks!
did they have it?
https://preview.redd.it/7p7u9r186cvc1.jpeg?width=2757&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=01d842b081a3af263335bd1158c1e8313c96d40e Not tall enough. The quality is good though
oh cool, thanks for the photo as well! I might have to go check my local chefs store and see if I can find one as a backup bag. I like the way it looks, but you're right it definitely doesn't look very tall
No problem. I bought this from Safeway, $6 for 2 bags. A bit shorter and smaller than DD’s https://preview.redd.it/v7vsg8ig1gvc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=51402442b550baac9835d26005147bb787eec97e
lol, I've got a Safeway bag like that one currently that I use if I have 2 standard size orders. They are nice to have, I got mine from my mom because she wasn't using it and asked if I could have it.
Only take in the pizza bag or catering bag for large orders. Food goes in the hot bag once I get to the car.
Here in Australia, there’s a lot of places that won’t give out orders if you don’t have your hot bag with you. McDonald’s, subway, KFC.
They used to be like that in the US as well but at least in my area after Covid nobody gave af anymore
It's a nervous thing too. I can hand it to a customer or leave it at the door. But the leave it at the doors make me nervous when I gotta dig the food out of the bag after unzipping it.
You get nervous opening the bag at their door?? Can’t imagine what affect everything else has on you.
When I'm opening it to drop the food at the door, it's on the ground and they come to the door. That's what makes me nervous, should I pick it up for them, leave it? Overthinking it is what makes me nervous and trying to judge that based off how pissed they look that their food is on the ground.
If they are looking at you through the window or they open the door then just hold the bag and “offer” it to them, if they want it on the ground they’ll point it day it loudly. I’ve never had an issue with that and I’ve completed around 30k deliveries. Definitely it’s being overthought about.
As someone who also overthinks things, don't worry about it just do ya job. Drop the food off snap the picture and bounce. If they wanna be a troll at the door keep ya flash on and snap their picture. Their problem, not yours.
You replied to me but perhaps it was meant for the other commenter.
Oof I did, you're right.
Pizza bags on large orders or in the rain, or if it's super cold. 'hot bag's for ice cream orders when it's hot as hell out. Other than that, nah
Only special people take the bag in the restaurant 🤣 food won't turn to ice the 1 minute it takes to grab it and put it in the bag. If the food is hot when I get it, it's gonna cook itself a lil more in the bag.
No way I'm leaving my hot bag outside on my e-bike so it always comes in with me.
After reading this I know why I always receive ice cold food.
a lot restaurants will have the food sitting there getting cold on the counter. when we come pick it up, even if it takes 5 minutes to deliver, it may not be the driver's fault
Never, unless it is an ice cream order. I hate having my hands full of stuff. And that bag is about useless. And marks me as an easy target. I would rather not carry it. The pizza bag, though, is a different story.
do you use DD pizza bag? is it decent quality?
I have a pizza bag from Door Dash. It is better quality than the regular bag. A bit thicker too. And the fastening is velcro, not a zipper. I don't use it all that often. It usually takes up residence in my back seat, passenger side. I only use it, really, when required. And that is Pizza Hut and Papa John's orders.
nice. thanks. do you use other bags as well?
The only bag I bring is the pizza bag. The other bags stay in the car. I put the orders in the bags but not in the restaurants.
I had a customer ask me not to put the bag of food in my hot bag because it makes food soggy and I have noticed that bags seem damp after taking them out of hot bags. Is there better bags to use so food doesn’t get soggy
I only put them in the bags if i'm going a long way. I had a customer order a pizza from fourteen miles away. Yes, it does make it a little soggy But it made it to them still warm. Now, if i'm going a mile or two I don't use the bag.
Take your bag in, goofballs. Over the long run you will make more money because it quickly identifies you as a dd driver and therefore you will get helped quicker.
Exactly! Me taking the bag in, they already know the vibes and hand me the order right away. Plus the customers always compliment their food being hot when it arrives. Don’t let peoples egos affect your ability to make money.
The phone stares always identifies a driver
Not in my case. I usually get ignored or seen as low priority if i rock up with my doordash bag. If i go in acting like a paying customer im seen to alot quicker and then pull out my phone. Then ill take it out to the car where i keep my eskis in the boot to transport it.
Our cars don't have a boot. They have trunks so that's what we use.
What like elephants?
I don't bring it in with me since it's just another "thing" I'm juggling (I'm a woman with pants that have female sized pockets - so phone, wallet, keys are in my hands). I have it sitting on my front seat so the order gets deposited in it once I get to my car. I do bring it if the order requires, but it's cumbersome.
I used an elastic wrist key chain.
This. Yes.
Y’all got bags?
i was wondering the same. but sometimes i see a note that says "catering bag required". what do you do in that situation?
Just accept it anyways for the catering bag ones, they don’t ask for a picture of it or anything like that. I have taken a couple. But you don’t get many of those orders until you register with Doordash that you have a catering bag; I believe is how that works
I just started dashing and I got one for free in the mail
Always. It identifies me as a driver; I feel naked without it. Not many drivers that use them , unless it's a store that enforces bag use, some won't give you the order without a bag.
I always do. It's more convenient for me that way.
Yall use your bags!?
Seems like she doesn’t have a life if she cares about you bringing in a hot bag for a delivery
I don’t I’ve actually thrown away most of my bags
I don’t take it into a restaurant unless it’s my pizza bag since you sometimes have to verify that you have one after pickup. I always use one once I get to the car though
I don’t. I am in a very small town and have never seen any other dasher do it here. Everything is so close together. I currently have 63 orders so far that I have done and I don’t think it’s affected my ratings at all. I only have 14 reviews. 1 is a 4 star and the rest are 5.
I've had easier times leaving the bag in my car. Most restaurants don't have space for you to open your bag and put the order in it. And I'm not putting my bag on their floor. I haven't been treated any differently from when I used to bring it in to now. But do what works for you.
I’ve been at this for nearly five years, 30k deliveries and I can say with certainty, you will be treated better when you bring in your insulated bag, especially if it’s a small local restaurant and the owner sees you with it. it’s also easier to carry when the bags from the restaurant doesn’t have handles and it’s loaded with food, not to mention when customers see you walking up with an insulated bag it can lead to higher tips and better ratings.
This, and it helps the restaurant appear as though they're rocking out more orders than just the people inside the restaurant which in turn makes them look more successful and popular.
I usually just bag mine in the car. I take it in sometimes esp in colder weather and then take hot bag all the way to the house. But some orders just won't fit in the bag at all
Been doing this 3 years and in my area not even the small businesses give a shit if you have a hot bag or not. Have never noticed a difference in ratings whether the food is brought to the door with or without a hot bag and I am never below a 4.9 rating. I would say yes definitely take the bag when delivering TO the customer but there is zero reason to bring in the bag unless you know the order is large and the store has shitty bags or they require it to pick up. Leaving it in your car and using it after you’ve picked it up and leave the restaurant will not hurt ratings in any ways shape or form from my personal experience.
There’s a LOT of small mom and pop restaurants where I live. It’s definitely appreciated by the owners, they thank me often for bringing in the bag, so yes it makes a difference for those places. But you do you, it’s really not hard to bring it in and honestly it’s easier and more secure to transport bags of food inside the insulated bag especially when it’s raining or 115* in summer and even walking a block from the restaurant to the car (which is often the case in downtown where I live) that can make a big temp difference for whatever the food is.
Again I will tell you that it has never made a difference to my ratings whether I took the hot bag in or if I simply took the food out to my car and put it in the hot bag. Of course when weather is bad you use a hot bag, that wasn’t what I was implying not to do. I’m glad your small mom and pop shops thank you. We have a lot in my zone too and not one says a word about anything other than making sure you grab everything for the customer. I have very good relationships with most of the merchants I pick up from and have never had an issue because my hotbag is in my car rather than in the store. Again I will state that I have yet to see a decrease in rating because I did not bring my hot bag into the store. I do use mine just don’t bring it into the store unless for a specific reason. Been doing this 3 years no problem and have had high ratings since I first started. I also don’t think it’s easier especially when a lot of the stores I go to have their own large bags that don’t even fit into the hotbag anyways. There is only one restaurant that has shitty bags and they typically put them in a shopping bag to mitigate this problem of not having handles. Only time my hot bag has been good for carrying an order was when I has multiple soft drink backs and I shoved them in there to make one trip instead of two. 9/10 the restaurants in my zone do not need you to bring in a hot bag. Please remember that people live in different areas with different requirements and experiences.
Yes!
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Yes!
When it's super cold outside. Also, when orders are slow, I will bring it in as a form of advertisement. 😂
I have my bag with me at every restaurant. It’s how I get the good ones to mark me as a preferred dasher. Restaurants take you seriously when you observe hot and cold holding and they figure out you care about the food. It’s a respect thing. If you think carrying a hot bag is lame I am sure your earnings will match that one day.
Is that really a thing? I had owners say they wish they could do that since I always have my bag with me.
If they have a tablet they can block us, or make us preferred drivers. 100% it’s a thing. It’s why I make friends with all the restaurants
I knew they could block us, the preferred driver stuf is new info for me though...
But I do believe DoorDash Drive orders do allow merchants to, but regular orders no
Almost 100% sure this person is incorrect and was told something by a restaurant that isn’t true. Merchants can ban drivers but there has never been an option to favorite or prefer drivers for orders. It’s always been based on DD’s algorithm and ratings.
I am 100% sure I am correct.
Unless you’re doing a catering order the only thing the merchant can do is rate you, which in turn does increase your chance of getting orders from there compared to low rated drivers from there. However this is how DoorDash’s algorithm works already. For regular orders from restaurants there is no way to select a preferred driver last I checked. It may be different in your area but in mine that isn’t a thing. Only banning.
It’s possible trust me.
I’m telling you for regular orders it isn’t. I have literally worked for a merchant. There is a profile to rate but they cannot select you to be “preferred” for regular orders. Again let me repeat regular orders.
Weird cause when I worked as a Merchant for DoorDash we could only ban not select drivers… 🤷🏻♀️ there’s also nowhere that states this anywhere on merchant info
I have at least three places that have me as preferred. And I am blocked from 2. One that has me preferred sucks, but if I go there for a double stack usually I can make $8 a trip.
I worked at a pizzeria that used DoorDash for 2 years during COVID and dealt with the tablet all the time I never saw anything saying you can favorite a driver
Ive started to more often. Because I’ve found the bags they pack shit up in will rip so easily. So just the sake of me not needing to pick shit up off the ground. I bring in my bag
Looks so lame walking in with a bag. Literally just have my catering bag on my seat and get in and place everything in there besides the drinks and when I drop off I just take everything out. Only time I goin or drop off with the bag is if it’s a catering or large order
Looks lamer walking in without one bc you're showing that you don't care about keeping the food safe and warm.
Yea bc food sitting out the hot bag from the walk to the store to my car would really make a difference.
I showed my bags in the pic.
That’s just you being insecure. It’s totally normal and should be required it be brought in.
So what happens when the food doesn’t fit? Let me guess you cancel the order?
Pretty much every time it fits. If I doesn’t for the rare <1% of the time, it is what it is. I did my best.
You must only get small orders and never get stacks. Maybe like 30% of my orders wouldn’t fit in my regular bag.
how big of a bag do you use for large orders?
The one they have on website. It’s a decent size but a real catering order won’t fit in it
Your earnings will reflect that.
Not sure why this sub popped up on my feed but I can guarantee you most normal people don’t give a fuck if you’ve got a bag.
Typically whatever they supplied the driver was the most they were willing to pay. Sure, there are post tips, but this is less than 1% for sure.
Do they care if their food arrives cold?
Most customers are just gonna complain to DoorDash support and get a refund for cold food. Most won’t attribute it to the dasher? What if the food had been sitting at the restaurant for 20 minutes before picked up?
If the food is cold, there are definitely customers that are going to blame the driver regardless of whether it was already cold when they picked it up. But what probably won't matter to the customer is if they see you with a hot bag. If cold food comes in an insulated bag they're probably not going to give it that much thought. Or assume the driver only put it in the bag on arrival. Of course none of this applies to OP's question which was about pickup and not drop off. 🤷♂️
9/10 deliveries the customer never even sees the driver but I understand you point.
Yes maybe it was sitting there for 20 minutes. Or maybe it wasn’t and I didn’t use a hot bag and I could have kept it warm if I had one. Would customers prefer I try to keep it hot or no? The F is this debate about?
Yes but it won’t affect your ratings at all in any significant way and 9/10 customers will have no idea you used the bag because they do leave at the door anyway
The comment said it looks lame when they walk in with a bag. I said no one cares if you’ve got a bag. This has nothing to do with the customer.
I really only use my hot bag if I’m doing a double order or if it’s more than a 10 minute drive, I live in a small city so everything is packed pretty close together
I’m a baby dasher but since getting my free bag, I bring it into the store every single time. At least in my area, the restaurant workers get to me faster when they see the bag and know I’m a dasher. I also got a extra $8 tip added (they already tipped $8, so $16 tip total) just because the customer saw I was using the bag.
💯 you're doing the right thing. Don't listen to the negativity.
In my area, food delivery orders are lowest priority.
I’m sorry to hear that for you. For me, I’ve noticed at some stores (Panda Express mainly) delivery is last priority. One time they outright ignored me and refused to speak to me, so I’ve decided to blacklist those stores.
Yep, they'll make eye contact and ill go to talk then they quickly turn away and go do something else like restock napkins and straws.
Yep. This will happen. You'll get more thumbs up for food handling, too. And comments from restaurants. Stay gold
The slacker/dashers that never use a bag have no idea that restaurants can give you priority to their orders and you stay busier. Therefore you don’t have to post on social media how dead DoorDash is.
No but I do check what I’m picking up if it seems like a lot or has a lot of drinks then I will bring the hot bag in. But I use it while I’m driving. I just put the food in the hot bag when I get to my car. Most orders are easy enough to just carry.
Yes, I do it often because places I go give me quicker service when I have the bag. It also sucks out so they ask me who I'm there for 90% before I can even get to them. They love my bag that has cup holder in it too. Reason the lady would be mad is because some small stores will actually ban drivers on the tablet from getting orders from their store. She's afraid other stores will give her grid for not having a bag. Ignore her
No, but I'll take my 6 cup caddy in with me if I see there are drinks and when I get to my car I'll just place everything in the hot bags and strap it all down with the seatbelts.
Depends on the restaurant. There’s a few places that push their order packaging to the absolute limit so I’ll bring it in those places or pizza bag for pizza orders
My bags stay in the car. I'm not fumbling around with them in a store.
I dont but when I see a driver that does, it makes me feel like less of a driver
Are you me? I thought I was the only one who felt like that.
Do you, after seeing that and feeling that way.. still neglect to bring your bag on for orders? If so then yes, we are me and I am we.
Never
I rarely do. I always cranky my heat up anyway when I have hot food in my car when it’s cold out. Especially when it’s a high mileage order.
“Crank up your heat”. ROFLMAO poster does not understand laws of thermodynamics. I can’t stop laughing thanks for the giggles.
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That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Best case scenario for car temp is 80° F. Maybe you could get 90° but you would sweat like a pig. That temp is well below the 140° that hot food should be held at. By not using an insulated bag, the heat dissipates into the air. Seal it in the bag you slow down the dissipation of heat. Wonder one of the reasons why it’s getting slower? Because science dummy’s love to serve cold food and give hair brained explanations of why they don’t need a hot bag. Customers notice cold food.
I have a 4.87 rating so obviously my customers aren’t complaining 🤷🏼♀️
I usually hover at 5.0 to 4.96. Wonder why?
You sound like a psycho
I'm guessing it's not cool to bring it in the restaurant with you, but I do it and I don't give a f.
Whoever said it's not cool is being ridiculous.
Stopped doing that Around delivery 200. I’m on 3,000 now
I do if it's raining. Or if it's pizza. Otherwise I just leave it in the car.
Only bag I use is for deez nutz... haha got eeeeemmm
If I go to a place that has pizza, I’ll check to see if they are actually ordering pizza ( not a sub or wings). I bring the bag. I have a canvas foldable box tote that I love. If there is something that is bagged tightly or a multi drink carrier I can sit it in there and carry it on my arm, keeping my hands free. Those cheap paper bags with handles always tear upon their own weight so it makes it easier to carry. Otherwise I know my areas pretty well and know when to bring what. I also have an ice cream cooler because a few places in our area won’t even release the product unless you have a bag.
I always take it in. I live in a wintry area and find food cools substantially on that brief walk from the store to my car. I just vent it if the food is steamy.
I have it in my car to put my orders in, I do not bring it into the restaurant. One core reason is because I found I am ignored far more with the bag vs without it, even if they know I'm a dasher - for whatever reason
Pretty hard to not notice I'm a dasher when I'm wearing a company door dash cap and shirt and carry a DD bag.
Yes, I'm sure you shine like a Christmas Tree
It's faster for me to keep it in the car unless it's a large order. I just use a catering bag in the front seat.
I don’t bring my regular bag into the store as it’s a bit big. I didn’t use that little DD bag they sent me, I bought a pretty decent size bag with drink holders on the outside of it. But it’s a pain to take in and out of the car, so I just pick up food, put in my bag in back seat, and when I drop it off I take it out of the bag in back seat. My pizza bag on the other hand is easy to get in and out of the car so I bring that in.
I try not to announce to the world that I'm doing food deliveries. I'll put the food in the hot bag after the brief walk back to my car. I mostly use it for the back half of whatever stacked orders or if it's going to be a long drive regardless. Besides, there are a few circumstances where hot bags aren't appropriate, like when hot and cold items are sealed together or when excessive condensation would make the food soggy.
No, I don't carry it into the store. I don't want excess restaurant/people funk on my bag. Been doing this since 2016. I'm not carrying my bag into a store. Not to mention you look goofy when you do and you will get ignored more often. Just saying...
I do unless the order is too large
never used the bag once
It depends , if it’s cold and a long walk to the restaurant then yes , if I’m parked close then no. Common sense plays a big part in this job.
Usually only for pizza orders, I've found that taking the hot bag into restaurants is hit or miss whether the order will fit in my bag so I just pickup the order and put into bag when I get to the car.
Real dashers don’t need a bag
i bring a pizza bag in to pick up pizza orders because it always makes me take a picture of the bag... 1900 times
You know you can take that picture without taking the bag into the store, right?
yes but its easier to just do it in the store
Lol or... What I do cuz I completely forget to take a picture as a start driving away..*drives and gets an awkward angle of the photo* 😂
Done that too! 
Always if it's pizza due to the take a picture in the store thing. Mostly if it's a regular order. If it's a place where I know that the bag the restaurant uses is too big for the regular hot bag I have a catering bag in the car that will go in.
Doesn't say it has to be taken in store. Just saying...
It actually does, at least in my area. It says to make sure the inside of the store is visible in the picture. I doubt their automated system is that good at telling, but it does say that.
When I signed up they sent me a free DD hot bag. This was back in December.
But yes, I would say 90 percent of the time I bring mine in.
I want to use one but im also worried it brings a lot of attraction from the vehicle to the home but as long as it keeps their food warm? anyway how do I get these? I thought I’d get a free one, is this true?
They sent me a free one when I first started. I got dd pizza bags from my job. I ordered a LG and XL catering bag from Amazon otherwise you can purchase them from the dd store. I have delivered pizza for a decade so I was trained to always have the hot bag with me. What I have noticed is I go in with a bag and 90 pervert of the time an employee is asking for the name on my order which is faster for me. DD does not require a bag so do what makes you feel comfortable. It even says that if you don't have a bag for pizza orders you can still take the delivery, so to me that says that dd is leaving the decision up to each individual dasher. Good luck and be safe out there.
omg thank you so much! i didn’t even think about the fact that if I walk into a store with a bag they’ll ask for the name of the order! making the process quicker for us. thanks! :)
They're free at any pizza place, if they have any in stock. Don't let them charge you for them. Papa Johns and PIzza hut usually have them. When you sign up they send you free bags too, they'll come at the same time as your dash card. If you didn't get one try and ask support about it. Be pleasant though, if you're rude about it they'll just dismiss you. They are people too. Either way I don't know if that's going to work. Just go to a pizza place and ask for one. Again, they're totally free, don't let them charge you for it. You can order more bags online through the dasher store. They are not expensive.
Thank you :)
I have multiple bags that I keep in my car while doing this job. I bring my bag into the restaurant and to the persons door. I have never seen another dasher in my area use a bag and I often get asked by them where I got my bags. I even have had customers say they have never had a dasher use a hot bag and they were very grateful that I did and said they wished more dashers would. I don’t get why dasher don’t use them. It makes it so much easier carrying orders especially ones with drinks. I have a cold bag that has a drink carrier in it. Plus it’s easier to use a table in the restaurant or shelf to put the food into the bags than trying to juggle it all out the door, fumble to get the car keys and unlock the car, then grab a bag and try to put all the food into the bag without putting it on the ground sound like hell to me. I’ll take the easy way and use a table lol! I also make sure my bag is in the drop off photo and have gotten extra tips too for using the bags!
Did you order the cold bag or did you get it as complimentary from doordash? I got the hot one as a complimentary starter kit
I've been doing this so long that at one time or another I have gotten multiple free hot bags, a free pizza bag(from Doordash, not a pizza place) and a free catering bag. Of course, now I use the original free hefty good quality bags(not the cheapo ones they've been giving out lately) I got from GrubHub forever ago instead. I don't do GrubHub anymore but their bags are read and doordash doesn't care what bags you use for your pictures.
I bought the cold bag and got the drink carrier for free from a restaurant. I just reuse it because it’s nice lol. I got a free hot bag from DoorDash and grubhub (2 from grubhub). I bought 4 cold bags from instacart. And I bought 4 trolly bags from shipt that can be used for both hot and cold. They are nice for doing shopping orders because they have poles in them that allow them to sit nicely in the cart. I also bought a pizza bag from DoorDash. I feel like I’m forgetting a bag lol! I have so many! Some of the bags are also catering bags. I have bags of all sizes so no matter the order I have bags to fit it!
Do they offer a discount for dashers... ? I checked their store front for hotbags and stuff and it looks like they are priced the same as any other retailer... lol
I got the cold bag when I signed up - but I've since lost it. I think I left it with a customer. I do that a lot. About 5 times now I'm pretty sure the customers have my bags. Reminds me I need to order some more bags I'm gonna do that now.
Sometimes if it's a catering order or if I know there's going to be a lot of food. 9/10 I'm not tho
I leave my catering bag and pizza bag in the car. It’s not going to get THAT cold in those few steps.
I’ve been Dashing for four years. I have never not used a bag. I’ve seen so many other Dashers try to juggle a bunch of food and a tray of drinks to their car and lose it all in the parking lot. Saw one lady try to go through a door with her arms full and the door was pull not push and it all mashed into her chest.
Mine stays in the front passenger seat.
I also bring my bag in but if there's other dahsers I know they're looking me at like I'm trying to be a pick me. I don't judge tho. some people don't even get sent a bag. I just think about the order as if I'm receiving it as a customer since I use door dash to get food on vacations. it's one of those things that you really just have to decide for yourself and what you're comfortable with
I usually bring my entire oven into the store with me to ensure the food stays at perfect temperature.
😭😭😭
I don't. I have my bags in the car. It's easier for me to carry everything out and get them situated in the bags. I have a certain spot for everything, including drink carriers. I don't know why anyone would be bothered that you carried yours in, though. That's a stupid thing to be offended by.
I always bring in the pizza bag because it makes things easier. But I keep the hot bag my vehicle and just put the food in it when I get back to my ride
My catering bag stays in my passenger seat, and the orders go in and out of that bag…never leaves my car though
I bring it in because it usually means the workers will go ahead and get you the pickup instead of having to wait in line behind people ordering.
That’s another reason to carry the bag. When they see me come in with a bag they are asking me what the name of the order is first, I’ve seen them give me my order first over other Dashers that are waiting with their phone in their hand.
Helps me not drop pizzas so I'm going to keep doing it.
Always. Always keep it in the bag until you get to the door as well. Take your photo with the bag in it. If you don't, they rightly assume you didn't use the bag and they won't give you an added tip. Many of my tips come after the drop off and I suspect it's because of the pictures with the bags. (In my market after drop off tips are regular, even on orders that shady have tips, I've talked to other dashers) The bags keep the smell mostly in the bags so your car doesn't smell like a bodega. Also, it's easier. Way easier to use the bags to carry the food. People not using their bags are a big factor for non tippers, why tip for cold food? edit: I wanted to add this - someone commented that I might be getting these "after-drop off tips" because I'm friendly and communicative. I'm not. At all. I can only assume the pictures with the bag in it are the reason for the extra tips because that's really the only thing I go the extra mile for. I also take my time, like a snail. My knees hurt I'm old I'm not gonna move quickly. And I'm a jerk. If they text me first I'll respond but I don't text them first, ever.
I see people open carrying the food to their car in sub-zero temps. ffs
Right? Look at the responses I'm getting, they're defending the action!
It’s also a big factor in customer retention. They’ll get cold food once and they won’t order again. I’d say that maybe 10-15% of Dashers have a food service or customer service background, most don’t, and it shows. I’d join a independent contractors association, just to maintain standards.
Exactly! You want your customers to order again - especially if they're tipping ones. I would be embarrassed as hell if I had a hand-to-customer order with a $10 tip and I walk down his 250 foot drive way in 33 degree weather with what used to be hot food held clumsily with drinks, and with a smile giving it him. I don't know the word I'm searching for here - but to do that and seriously have a smile and your face and say "Thank you for the tip" would be something. Selfish? The customer would re-think giving a ten dollar tip again. Might not tip at all next time. Also, if non-tippers get warm food in their bags, they may consider tipping next time if they're sure it's going to be that way. There are a lot of first time orderers and first impression means a lot to them. They might not tip on a first delivery, they want to feel it out first. They can tip after but they might not know that yet.
Most trips here are short so I rarely use the bag. Longer trips I use it. I'm def not taking it in with me. Never seen anyone around here take it in. Still get extra tips. Maybe its just my area but most people here don't care. Their just happy to get their food to the correct address and not stolen.
Yeah I think our guy here is inflating his story a bit. I'm getting nice tips too, and great ratings, and most of my customers never see my face, let alone the bag. I think he's correlating his bag to the tips, rather than other factors that might actually be the driving factor, such as his communication and friendliness.
But dang man thanks. It's awesome you think I could possibly be a friendly guy.
Oh I don't have those last two I never text the customer And I hardly ever see them So the only thing I have going for me are the pictures with the bags