DoorDash rolled out its package pickup system on Wednesday, allowing consumers to get up to five prepaid packages picked up and dropped off to major shippers for a flat fee in one fell swoop.
Customers can select the “Packages” hub on top of the DoorDash homepage and select between UPS, USPS, and FedEx. Users then attach a prepaid shipping label to their packages, or can send a shipping QR code directly to their “Dashers” in the DoorDash app, so no printer is required. After requesting a pickup, a gig worker will be able to accept the job and grab the package. Once it’s at the store, the Dasher will send a confirmation photo.
The goods-delivery service appears to have been testing the package pickup feature for nearly a year. The formal roll-out comes as the busy holiday season nears an end, though consumers are still in a frenzy to return or exchange purchases. DoorDash said that during its pilot testing, its most popular date for package pickup was December 27.
The feature will cost a flat fee of $5 for up to five total packages. For people who subscribe to DashPass, the company’s subscription service, the price is reduced to $3 per service. (To introduce people to the service, DoorDash is offering one free package pickup through January.) The segment is expected to reach 95% of Americans, the company said.
“DoorDash is leveraging our existing logistics infrastructure to meet a new use case for consumers, especially relevant during a time when consumers are navigating stricter return policies, higher return rates and shrinking return windows from retailers following the 2022 holiday season,” a spokesperson said in an email.
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