Dashers: Is There Anything I Can Do To Give Clearer Directions?

[u/RainbowPrincess89]

I live in an apartment building in a downtown area that is surrounded by other apartment buildings and hotels. I have a disability so I request in the arrival instructions for the Dasher to bring my order up to my apartment and hand it to me. 99.9% will, but there are some who unassign. Since the building can be hard to find, I reach out to each Dasher in the chat to give an entry code for the building along with a photo of the building.

I just ordered from Wingstop and the Dasher messaged to see where they should park, even though I gave clear directions. 5 minutes pass and no communication, so I check in and they tell me they are in the elevator. Then I get another message 30 seconds later asking for the entry code (that I had put in the chat) to unlock the elevator so they can come up to deliver the order and get the delivery pin.

Am I missing something here? I thought my directions were very clear. I try not to get frustrated as I know the service is a luxury, but I’ll admit I was pretty annoyed.

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[u/TheCockOfGod]

I can't explain your problem. But as a dasher we seriously appreciate the directions in apartment complexes. The numbering system is different for each one and sucks. Who the hell puts 105 on the second floor?

[u/Silly_Employ_4273 → u/TheCockOfGod]

105 is on the second floor because they count the first floor as Ground Floor . I suppose

[u/unlovable1000]

Alot of dashers doesn't read or speak English. Even with that alot of people know their apartment complex and what seems direct to them might not with a driver that's never been their. Pictures of the building does help just make sure to send them before they leave the restaurant bc some people don't check messages while driving.

[u/False-Pie-3121]

I’ve experienced the same. It’s unfortunately part of DD. I’m also disabled and sometimes I literally can’t walk to my own front door. It’s frustrating but keep being clear

[u/dogsarefun]

I feel like it doesn’t matter how clear the instructions are if they ignore them. Mine are also clear but ignored about 10% of the time.

[u/Cobra_McJingleballs]

That you’re giving a photo of the building is already more than a lot of apartment customers do. So long as it isn’t one building among a cluster of others with the same street address, I’d already put you in the top decile.

Kudos for thinking how to make dashers’ jobs easier. Unfortunately, some are just going to be bad at reading instructions. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

[u/Buffalo8x]

Some people need LOTS of hand holding, and even then it's not always enough. Sometimes it's a language barrier issue, sometimes they're rushing, sometimes they're on autopilot, and sometimes it's a combination of these and other factors. It also doesn't help that the app sometimes gives dashers bad info (bad GPS directions, wrong dropoff photo, etc.). Like you, I have only had serious issues a tiny fraction of the time, and while it is annoying, I think there will always be a few deliveries that are just a hassle.

It sounds like you're already doing everything you can to make it easier for the dashers, so I'd say just keep it up and try to be as patient as you can for that 0.1% of deliveries. If the dasher is being rude or it seems like they are intentionally making it harder for you, then report them. You can also request that the dasher not be assigned to your deliveries in the future.