An Arkansas woman says her DoorDash driver confronted her about a 20% tip after delivering her order. Viewers are shocked by the driver’s alleged actions.
On Aug. 21, Nicole Townsend (@nicolebreaksitdown) shared her experience in a viral video that amassed over 321,000 views as of Wednesday.
“My DoorDash driver just got on to me saying I didn’t tip enough,” she said. “Tell me if I’m in the wrong here.”
Why Did The DoorDash Driver Confront The Customer About The Tip?
She says she noticed the driver pulling into her driveway and went outside to collect her food. She describes saying hi to the driver.
“And she immediately looks at me and says, ‘How much did you tip?’” the woman recalled.
She explained that she typically selects the 20% tipping option when ordering through DoorDash. The driver apparently wanted to know the exact dollar amount instead. The customer told the driver she did not know the exact amount. She only knew she had selected 20%. The driver then reportedly checked her phone to determine the tip and told her she tipped $6.
According to the woman, the driver still insisted that the tip was insufficient. “She said, ‘That is not enough,’” the woman said.
The exchange reportedly grew more uncomfortable when the driver asked why she had received only $6. “You got me driving out here, and that’s all you tip? You should tip more,” the driver allegedly told her.
The woman says she decided not to argue and went back inside with her food. However, the encounter left her questioning whether DoorDash customers should tip more than 20%.
She compared delivery tipping to tipping servers at restaurants, where 20% is often the standard gratuity.
“If I go to a restaurant, I’m tipping 20%, and they’re waiting on me,” she explained.
“Are you supposed to be tipping more than 20% of your order for a DoorDash driver?” she asked.
People Were on Her Side
Overwhelmingly, viewers were outraged on the customer’s behalf. “You remove the tip,” said the top comment. “Report her for harassment and block her.”
“I would have called customer support and canceled the tip,” added another.
“$6 on a $30 DoorDash order is extremely generous,” said a third. “It ain’t your fault the driver works in delivery.”
What Is The Standard For Tipping On DoorDash?
Generally, there does not seem to be a consensus on a tipping percentage for DoorDash orders, but 15% to 20% is a common benchmark for food delivery. Pew Research Center found that 76% of Americans say they regularly tip when having food delivered.
DoorDash says Dashers receive a base payment for each delivery, plus 100% of customer tips. The company says base pay typically ranges from $2 to $10 or more per offer, depending on factors including distance, time, and demand.
However, tipping has become increasingly controversial across the U.S. Pew found that 72% of Americans believe tipping is expected in more places than five years ago. Only about one-third say it is very or extremely easy to know when or how much to tip.
Digital checkout screens and apps have also expanded opportunities to tip. Many consumers now feel pressured to decide whether to tip before receiving a service. Pew found that 40% oppose suggested tip amounts, while 72% oppose automatic service charges.
@nicolebreaksitdown What the heck are people tipping delivery drivers these days?!? #doordash #deliverydriver #ubereats #grubhub #tipping ♬ original sound – nicolebreaksitdown
Subplot reached out for comment to Townsend via email and TikTok direct message and to DoorDash via email.
