Your starting point on DoorDash is the location or zone where you receive orders. Dashers who know how to change this location leverage it to stay close to busy areas and optimize their time for money.
In other words, if your starting point or location is Uptown or South Minneapolis, you will only receive orders from this zone. If you want orders from other areas, like downtown or the University of Minnesota, you must change your starting point to this zone.
If you are new to DoorDash or do not know how to change your starting point, this guide is for you. You will also discover why you may experience difficulty completing this operation.
Why Do Dashers Change Starting Point?
Before I delve into the steps you need to take to change your starting point on DoorDash, let’s see why it is essential and how it influences your earnings (as a Dasher):
1. Leverage busy areas
This is the primary reason Dashers adjust their starting point. As I mentioned earlier, switching starting points is an effective way to provide service in busy locations and make more money.
2. Access to promotions
Changing your DoorDash starting can also help you enjoy promotions such as Peak Pay, challenges, and guaranteed earnings when it opens for a specific location. Dashers close to such hotspots can easily change their starting point before they get occupied.
3. Correct a signup mistake
Knowing how to change your starting point on DoorDash can be handy in correcting signup mistakes such as selecting the wrong location. It also helps you dash, especially when you travel or move to a new area.
How To Change Your Starting Point On DoorDash
Now that we agree that this feature is all about perks let’s see the steps you need to take to change your starting point:
- Log into the Dasher app.
- On your profile dashboard, you will see a menu button.
- Click on it and choose “Dash Now” or “Schedule a Dash.”
The “Dash Now” method
- Click on “Dash Now” if your preferred starting point is already on the map or if you. would like to change it to a busy area (usually with red patches.)
- Select how long you intend to Dash for that day.
- You will receive a confirmation message showing your new starting point. Press “OK” to start dashing.
The “Schedule a Dash” method
- Click on the “Schedule a Dash” or “Dash Along The Way” button if you are on your way to your starting point.
- Choose a date from the available tab and a starting point. Feel free to use the filter to look at specific locations outside your zone (on the map.)
- Select your preferred starting point and how long you wish to dash for that day.
- Click “Save Dash,” and DoorDash will have your record in its system.
- You only need to arrive at the selected starting point on the promised day to receive requests.
Why Can’t You Change Your Starting Point on DoorDash?
There are a few instances where you might be unable to change your starting point on DoorDash. They include:
1. Your country does not support DoorDash
While DoorDash is a popular service in the U.S., Canada, U.K. Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Puerto Rico, it is yet to be available in some countries.
Hence, moving from a country that supports DoorDash to one that does not will affect your ability to dash or change your starting point.
2. Limited orders in your area
Changing your starting point may also be difficult if you stay or have just relocated to a rural area. This is because such areas are not hotspots and ideally boast little orders. In this case, you must be patient and keep trying until you get lucky.
3. Bad timing
Changing your starting point (if you succeed) when there is insufficient order is never an excellent idea. Such periods boast enough Dashers to cover available orders, and overcrowding is unnecessary.
The only solution here is to be patient and refresh your Dasher app to see if any order becomes available. You can also use the “Schedule a Dash” to reserve a slot for a future date.
4. Technical glitches
Technical issues are also a possibility, although they are uncommon. Below are troubleshooting options that should fix this:
- Turn off and turn off your wifi
- Uninstall and reinstall the Dasher app. Wait for a few minutes before reinstalling.
- Restart your phone
- Deactivate airplane mode
- Android users can go to their settings > App tab > select the Dasher app > tap storage and clear data. Uninstall and reinstall after this.
Contact DoorDash customer service if these recommendations do not restore normalcy.
FAQs
Can you make $200 a day with DoorDash?
It is possible, depending on how many hours you are willing to devote and the type of order you complete. You can earn $200 within 8 hours (without tips.)
Can you sign back up for DoorDash after being deactivated?
It depends on why you were deactivated initially. You can appeal if the offense is minor or create a new profile with a different email address, phone number, and home address.
Does DoorDash take cash?
DoorDash drivers accept cash upon delivery. You only need to select “Cash” when checking out your order.
In a Nutshell
You might need to understand how to change your starting point on DoorDash to maximize your earning potential. The process is simple and grants you access to hotspots and areas with promotions.
While this feature may be mostly about advantages, Dashers are not expected to abuse it or refuse small orders (or those without tips). A consistent or rejection pattern may force DoorDash to deactivate your Dasher account.
Hence, it is always about balance. As much as you want to earn more, you should not contribute to a bad user experience by refusing small orders.
I hope you found this guide helpful. If you did, please see how far DoorDash delivers.
Thanks for reading.
