In a U.S. lawsuit, a man named Ross Hecox accuses DoorDash of tacking on extra charges when orders are placed from an iPhone.
The case centers on claims that DoorDash adds a separate fee for iPhone users and that DashPass subscribers, a monthly plan priced at ten dollars, face an additional charge described as an extended range fee. The dispute arises after a separate fee schedule on the DoorDash website allegedly does not list this extra charge. The complainant argues that the added costs apply only to certain deliveries where the delivery address is near the location where the order was placed.
Hecox reportedly ran a set of tests using two kinds of accounts: a standard account and another with an active DashPass membership. The results he presents indicate that an extra fee appeared on the DashPass account when the same order was placed at the same restaurant and sent to the identical shipping address, even in the absence of any surcharge on the standard account. The test results also show that the extended range fee appeared on a DashPass order that used a different charging method, while still reflecting the same delivery address. In another portion of the lawsuit, the same extended range fee is alleged to appear on orders placed from normal accounts when the order is made from an iPhone, but not when the same test is performed with an Android device. A lawsuit filing underscores that this fee changes the total cost of the order for the customer, which critics say should be clearly disclosed before checkout.
According to the filing, Hecox is seeking compensation in the amount of one billion dollars in damages. A DoorDash spokesperson responded by saying the allegations lack merit and that the company stands behind its pricing practices. The company has not changed its stated policy in relation to what fees may be charged to customers or how those fees are disclosed during the ordering process. The dispute continues to unfold in the legal arena as both sides present their arguments about whether the extended range charge exists, how it is calculated, and whether customers were adequately informed before placing orders. [Citation: Business Insider]
Related discussions in other online discussions have touched on similar concerns about tips and order handling in the delivery space. An earlier report noted that a TikTok influencer claimed a courier exercised a portion of a customer tip by consuming part of a recent order. This claim, while not directly connected to the DoorDash case, adds to the broader conversation about how third parties interact with customer orders and the impact on total costs. [Citation: Formerly socialbites.ca]