Find a Company that Cares
I’m sure we’ve all ordered food for delivery at one time or another throughout our lifetime. If you are looking for a chance to be on the other side, food delivery jobs are available for as an independent contractor.
To become an independent contractor, you must submit an online application. They also have similar requirements for their drivers. You must be 18 years of age, have a valid driver’s license, a Social Security number, an address, and be able to pass a background check.
Postmates and Uber Eats
Postmates is a delivery service that started back in 2011; it was acquired by Uber in 2020. When trying to apply as a driver with these two companies, I found it confusing. I was unable to locate the driver app for these services.
However, within the Postmates ordering app, there was a link that allows you to “Earn by driving or delivering.” If you already have an Uber account, it requires you to log into that account to proceed. Duplicate accounts are not allowed for drivers.
Grubhub
After completing the application process for Grubhub, I was placed on a priority waiting list, meaning that the area I requested to work is not actively recruiting drivers, so I'm unable to begin work for Grubhub.
Instacart
Having been an independent contractor for instacart for the past four years, my opinion of them has changed since I began working for them. When I started work with them in 2018, you had to sign up for a minimum of a two-hour shift and be within the boundaries of the area you were working.
I lived in Prescott at the time, and the nearest service area was about 20 minutes from my house; this meant I had to drive to Hastings and hang out in my car, hoping that I would get an order so I would be able to make some money.
Over the years, this model has changed, shifting into having the opportunity to schedule hours in advance or picking up an order as you could. The service now offers drivers the ability to work as much or as little as they want.
You are paid per batch and know immediately what you will make unless there are changes to the order. You have the potential to earn roughly $25 per hour, depending on various factors.
These factors include how long it takes to shop the order, check out time, and drive time. There’s also the opportunity for larger orders that pay more money. Instacart also offers promotions to its independent contractors.
One con to working as an independent contractor through instacart is the inability to connect with live agents and have problems resolved. When I began working with Instacart in 2018, there was a number to call to connect you with a live agent to resolve your issues.
When Covid hit the United States, Instacart limited the options of ways for drivers to get in contact with the company. It could only be done through chat messages unless actively participating in a delivery and the concern was related to that delivery. In the past two months, I have had two issues arise, and neither of them was resolved, despite their promise to have it fixed in 48 hours.
When adjusting information for tax purposes, I have had issues for the past three years with them putting the incorrect address on my tax forms despite having contacted them multiple times. While their pay is one of the best, their follow-through to support their drivers ranks pretty low.
Shipt
Shipt works similarly to Instacart. You can see the orders ahead of time and determine if it’s the best fit for your availability. You are given an estimated amount that you will be paid for each order; however, this amount is not guaranteed.
When you click on an available order, you can see the store location, as well as the drop-off point, the items included in the order, and approximately how long that order should take you so you can plan accordingly.
With Shipt, you can schedule orders in advance to plan out your day based on your availability and know approximately what you will make based on the orders you select. Based on my experience as an independent contractor for Shipt, I've had no issues with this company.
DoorDash
At this point in time, I have found DoorDash to be one of the best food delivery jobs for those wishing to deliver on their own schedule. Unlike the other delivery platforms, where you have to wait to begin work, DoorDash allows you to begin immediately after submitting your application.
Upon entering the platform, you are able to see what areas in your vicinity are busy and select it. From there, you choose the amount of time you wish to work. You can schedule an hour or several hours.
Throughout your Dash, you can pause it to take a break or end the Dash at the time of your choosing if something comes up. DoorDash has recently implemented programs to make the pay more competitive with companies such as Instacart and Shipt.
You can choose if you want to be paid per order or by the hour. When issues arise, DoorDash immediately resolves them in favor of the driver. I would highly recommend DoorDash for anyone looking to make some extra money.
While there are many options available for food delivery jobs, they may not be for your location. Pick the ones that make the most sense for your area. DoorDash is one that I highly recommend in Minnesota.