Uber Eats: Food Delivery Software

I understand the frustration with ordering & waiting for food and then there’s something missing! However, most of the time, missing items are not the Uber driver’s fault. The driver’s app is limited in what is displayed regarding the customer’s order and sometimes drinks do not even show up. The restaurant workers, who have full access to the order details, will often prepare the order and seal it or tie it up by the time the driver comes to pick it up and we’re basically going on their word that the order is complete. And over time we learn to ask if there are any drinks with the order because the driver’s app often leaves them off and the restaurant workers might forget. Sometimes there is a long wait at the restaurant to pick up the order because the customer’s food is not ready and some drivers might cancel due to excessive wait times because they are losing money while waiting 20 minutes for a customer’s order to be prepared (and that is a very patient driver!). I cannot speak on the technological issues on the customer’s end, but drivers have their own share. However, I can say that Uber is constantly making updates and improvements on the drivers’ end. As with anything, there will be issues, but overall, Uber is doing a great job at resolving the ongoing problems with the app.

The biggest problem I have with the app is that when you open it, it does not default to your current location. It defaults to your last location where you placed an order. This makes it easy to make the mistake of placing an order for food that may not even be in the same city as you. Not a big deal, if the cancellation policy wouldn’t allow the restaurant to charge you full price for an order that you know you will not be able to receive, irregardless of how fast you realize your mistake and cancel the order. I cancelled an order IMMEDIATELY as it was placed because I noticed my mistake as the app was placing the order. It charged me full price for my order even though I cancelled within 2 seconds of the order being confirmed. When I called customer service, they were able to see that from the time I placed the order until it was officially cancelled was 12 seconds. They said the restaurant was already preparing my food. Give me a break...They ended up giving me a refund as a “one time courtesy”, but I was told they would never extend that courtesy again. Simply ridiculous. The app should always default to your current location, or at least verify your address is correct when placing the order. I realize the mistake was my own, but why am I seeing menus from restaurants in another state when I open the app??? Please fix this....

The application itself works great and has many great choices in my area. Unfortunately, I will no longer be using the (eats) service due to the rising booking fees. I could understand the fees based on distance for standalone companies hiring their own drivers. Uber has drivers who are intending to drive these distances for pay and can continue with more rides after leaving the destination (home) rather than having to drive back to the starting destination (restaurant). A pizza delivery through the pizza company 5 minutes away has a 50% lower delivery cost than Uber does for a restaurant in the same general area (within .2 miles). This is unacceptable. I guarantee you will continue to lose customers, as I already know of several other who are moving to your competitors for this very reason. I’m disappointed I will not be ordering my favorite tonight through Uber eats because it is $9 for a 10 minute drive. The restaurants are already inflating their prices from their in store prices. Don’t add to the problem. Update: 2 days go by since the initial review. I opened the app out of curiosity and was welcomed by a notification touting lowered booking fees. From what I noticed (based on my ordering history) there have been no lowered prices. I’m glad I’m not wasting my money on this any longer. I used to order regularly from Uber eats but this has gotten out of control. Fix yourself, Uber.