Dasher Diary: How Amarillo’s Pump Prices are Changing the Food Delivery Game

It's been close to three years since I started delivering food in Amarillo. I started off using two different apps. I would deliver for both Uber Eats and DoorDash. Over time, I have really only logged into DoorDash. It seems to work out better for me.

That might not be the case anymore. I have seen many delivery drivers getting more and more frustrated with the lack of tips. I understand that tipping is optional for customers, just as accepting those offers is optional for us.

The Pain at the Pump: Amarillo Gas Hits Near $4

While declining offers can sting your ratings, seasoned drivers know there are ways to manage the fallout. I get the frustration as a driver heads to the gas pump. I never expected to see Amarillo gas prices creeping toward the $4 mark. Even with driving a very gas-friendly small car, that pain at the pump is real.

Tip Etiquette: Why Drivers are Declining No-Tip Offers

If you don't want to get out and get your own food, the least a customer can do is tip, since you want us to pay those gas prices and deliver the food you don't want to pick up.

Gas Relief Reality: Does the $5 Assistance Actually Work?

DoorDash has been offering some gas assistance. One way is if you use their card to purchase gas, you can get some sort of savings. I don't have the card, so it does me no good. Then every week they offer some gas relief assistance, which has only really been $5 thrown my way. That’s barely enough to cover a single gallon of gas at today’s Amarillo prices.

Strategy Shift: Saving Gas with Short-Distance Deliveries

So delivery drivers have been declining more offers that don't have a tip. Even when delivering by time, if it is a long distance, I have been declining to try to pick up and deliver food a bit closer to save gas.

Read More: Dasher Diary: Some Amarillo Customers Have No Shame

I may have to check out Uber Eats because they are offering bonuses for delivering a certain number of orders. I need to check into that to see if it's worth it. I may slow down delivering, change platforms, or strategy until the price of gas comes down. If that ever happens.