Best practices for gift deliveries

Best practices for gift deliveries

Overview

Customers can now order food and convenience delivery as gifts for other people. 

What is a gift delivery? 

A gift delivery is a delivery where the customer ordered food to be delivered to somebody else - the gift recipient. 

In the DoorDash app, customers can now order food, alcohol, and convenience items and get them delivered to a gift recipient. When checking out a gift, customers have the option to provide the gift recipient’s phone number so Dashers can reach out to them directly with delivery questions. 

How do I know if a customer is sending a gift?

In the Dasher app, you’ll see that you’re delivering a gift after you’ve picked up the order from the restaurant. The drop-off screen will contain information about the gift sender and gift recipient. You’ll also be able to contact the gift sender or gift recipient (when contact is provided) from this screen. 

When gift recipient contact is provided

The gift recipient name and contact buttons appear on top. Gift sender name and contact options appear under address information. 

When gift recipient contact is not provided 

Because the gift recipient’s contact information is not available, the gift sender’s name and contact buttons appear on top. Gift recipient name appears under address information. 

Best practices for completing a gift delivery

Expert Dashers recommend that you contact the gift recipient when completing gift deliveries. They will have the best information to help you drop off your delivery and answer any delivery questions. If they’re not available, contact the gift sender as a backup option. 

When contacting gift recipients, let them know that you’re delivering a gift and mention the gift sender’s name so they have context on who the gift is coming from in case it’s a surprise and they didn't know about the gift delivery beforehand. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Am I less likely to get tips for gift deliveries? 

A: Gift deliveries are tipped at the same rate as other deliveries. The average tip percentage is the same for gift deliveries and other deliveries. 

Q: What do merchants know about gift deliveries? 

A: Currently, gift deliveries look like normal food delivery orders to merchants. The receipt attached to the food upon pickup at the restaurant shows the gift sender’s name. So, when you’re viewing the pickup screen while at the restaurant, the customer name shown is the gift sender’s name to facilitate easy pickup at the restaurant. 

Q: What if I can’t find the gift recipient’s address? 

A: If you can’t find the gift recipient’s address, the first thing to do is call the gift recipient (if their contact is available). If the gift recipient is not available, call the gift sender. 

Q: What if I can’t reach the gift recipient? 

A: If you’re not able to reach either the gift recipient or gift sender, follow the contactless delivery instructions or “Can’t hand order to customer” flow to leave a photo and description of where the food was dropped off. 

Q: What are all the ways I can contact gift recipients in the Dasher app? 

A: When a gift recipient contact is provided for the delivery, the only way to contact the gift recipient is through the drop-off screen (see screenshots above). 

Q: Who sees the photo & description for contactless deliveries? 

A: The gift sender and gift recipient (when contact is provided) will receive the photo and description of where you dropped off the food.