alt Hacker NewsYou’re not paying for a service, you’re bidding in an open market. They don’t tell you this but it’s the reality.
Drivers can tell if you don’t tip and all of the experienced ones will decline your order.
Though these apps have done a lot of work to conceal the amount the driver actually gets until delivery is completed.
Replies
> You’re not paying for a service, you’re bidding in an open market.
IMHO, this isn't a new phenomenon. Close to 18 years ago, I lived in a city with a popular pizza spot that was about a 10 minute walk away. Normally I'd walk, but having a newborn make that challenging, so I'd get delivery.
Typically, the delivery would take 60+ minutes on a busy night, but after a few consecutive Fridays of a decent tip for the order, the pizza would arrive "burn your fingers" in about 20 minutes.
> bidding in an open market.. they don't tell you... apps done a lot of work to conceal
Markets have prices.
Open markets have transparent pricing for efficient discovery.
Concealed prices in deniable auctions are closer to dark pools than open markets.
Surely most customers would benefit from knowing that they’re bidding for service? Don’t call it a tip, but a bid or priority fee.
Doesn’t affect anything in my country using the same apps. I’ve always gotten fast delivery, as does everyone I know and nobody tips. Tipping is for yanks.
this feels weird to me because i always thought i already paid for the service as part of my order. having to go into a open, blind bidding war with other customers to gett my order processed ...
Hm. If it is an open market, the consumer should also be able to decline/filter drivers, that take tips. Maybe it is a market, but sadly not open.