I used to order delivery once or twice a week, but lately the fees, service charges and tips pile up so fast that a $14 burrito somehow turns into a $27 order. I tried the subscription (DashPass etc.) but the fees barely dropped, so now I mostly just pick up myself or cook. Is anyone else still using the apps, or have you switched to pickup or quit entirely?
The pickup option is usually the quiet winner: same menu price, no delivery or service fee, and you skip the tip pressure. One thing worth checking is that many restaurants mark up menu prices inside the apps, so ordering directly from the restaurant's own site or by phone can be cheaper even for delivery. The subscriptions mostly pay off only if someone orders several times a week.
Fees aside, the tip prompt has quietly crept up too: many apps now default to 20% or more of a total that already includes service fees. Setting the tip yourself and comparing the app's final price with the restaurant's own pickup price usually shows the real gap. For regular orders, a few local places also run their own delivery with lower fees, so it's worth asking.
I'm with you on this. I did the same math a couple of months ago — a $14 burrito turning into $27 is exactly what pushed me off the apps. Now I just do pickup when I want takeout, or I order directly from the restaurant's own site. It's funny how fast you stop missing delivery when you see what you were actually paying for it.
One more thing that adds up quietly: the 'busy area' or peak-time surcharges. Ordering a bit earlier or later than the dinner rush can knock a few dollars off. And some credit cards bundle a free delivery membership, which is only worth it if you'd order anyway, not a reason to start. Pickup plus ordering straight from the restaurant really is the simplest fix.