I think the problem is: what they call a "Tip" is more like a "Bid"/"Offer". People see "Tip" and thus believe its optional, I mean it technically is optional, but the base pay is like $2.50 so its customarily required. I think for even the shortest delivery of a place 10 minutes away with a 2 mile distance is supposed to tip at least $5. and if the delivery is done in 30 minutes, that's an effective wage of $15/hour, that is, if they get orders back-to-back.

Customers don't understand how this works and puts $0 as the "Tip", buts its really a "Bid", effectively making anyone who is willing to accept the order, to work below minimum wage. And also new drivers doesn't understand how this works and acceepts orders without a good enough "Bid", effectively working below minimum wage.

I mean, why even call it a "Tip" if its customarily required, just change the base pay to $7.50 (which I'm sure those companies will charge the customer for it, but anyways...). So for an order that takes 30 minutes, its an effective wage of $15/hour, assuming they get orders back-to-back. Much less confusion amongst both customers and drivers.

I feel like you gotta go out of your way to make so little money doing this. If they actually did it correctly there would be no article to write. Not saying they would get rich but there's no way they did this honestly.

“Minimum wage and the idea that hard work should lead to economic security, can be — and are being — destroyed by these A.I. systems.”