Re:Seattle Law Mandating Higher Delivery Driver Pay Is a Dis...
by xtiansimon on Sunday March 17, 2024 @11:07AM
(#39734934)
> “A lot of the cost has been masked: for a while paid-in-part by VC-style below-cost funding hoping to for winner-take-all success…”
Thank you for reminding me about the browser wars 25 years ago. People were scratching their heads at the time about how internet companies like Yahoo and Google were making money, despite not having clear income streams. In the end, what? Advertising and our data.
I’ve been working in the food service industry for the past 15 years. Back in the day I was scratching my head at the rise of delivery apps, mostly wondering how a business can be making money with 20-25% of the sale price as cost to participate. Now, we see it’s volume and low income delivery.
Apps to order food efficiently are fine. Everyone wins. It's easier for the restaurant, it's easier for you.
Having food delivered to your door, however, is incredibly expensive. A lot of the cost has been masked: for a while paid-in-part by VC-style below-cost funding hoping to for winner-take-all success, and by giving drivers no benefits & terrible pay.