On top of paying more for items on the app than at the grocery store or restaurant, you could also pay a service fee — this is different from the delivery fee and sales tax. More succinctly, the service fee is what you pay for the convenience of ordering through an app, and it could also include the cost of packaging your item. For instance, you could incur a service fee of between 10% to 15% of the subtotal if you order through Uber Eats or DoorDash. What’s more, delivery apps often charge a small order fee if the subtotal is below a certain amount — if you’re grocery shopping online, the small order fee is usually added if your subtotal is less than a set amount. That minimum order amount varies by provider and location but it can range from $8 to $12.
Beyond that, the delivery fee depends on your location and your distance from the grocery store or restaurant. According to TechCrunch, some of the most expensive cities for online delivery are San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles. However, most online shopping apps offer a monthly subscription option to customers who want free delivery.
As for how much you should tip the courier, delivery apps don’t impose a specific limit. Regardless, the ideal tipping rate should be between 15% to 20% of the total cost of your order (via Consumer Reports).
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