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For example companies like door dash that run at a loss while forcing restaurants to take in less profits (because restaurants must pay door dash and can’t rais

For example companies like door dash that run at a loss while forcing restaurants to take in less profits (because restaurants must pay door dash and can’t raise prices just for door dash users). It’s a ponzi scheme of investors. The real business for many SV companies is keeping the investor money flowing in.

ddtrafficking 5y ago
And on top of that some of these companies work by exploiting labor while not being held accountable for that. I recently learned from a doordash courier that he and other Bangladeshi men had paid tens of thousands of dollars to a human trafficking organization to work doordash in exchange for getting to the United States. Of course he didn't have this money, it was debt to the organization, and he has to pay it out of his DoorDash wages, plus interest, to the organization. He lived in an apartment with dozens of other men in the same situation. He had a gps tracker around his ankle and everything. How are you supposed to compete with a company that uses modern slavery in order to deliver your meal for $5 or less?
lotsofpulp 5y ago
> because restaurants must pay door dash and can’t raise prices just for door dash users All the restaurants I know charge higher prices if you order online than if you call directly or go in person. I do not use food delivery apps, but I assume prices are similarly inflated there since people willing to purchase online or via app are amenable to paying more. It is absolutely crazy to me the amount of premium people are willing to pay just to not have to pick up the phone or drive 5 min.
- Jeff_Brown 5y ago
  > It is absolutely crazy to me the amount of premium people are willing to pay just to not have to pick up the phone or drive 5 min. Crazy and awesome. It means people value their time highly, and can afford to buy it back.
  - lotsofpulp 5y ago
    I hope. I suspect many or probably most cannot afford to buy their time back though, based on who I mostly see using online food ordering and delivery.
- taurath 5y ago
  It’s crazy expensive when you aren’t getting a discount, and even with many discounts. Tech money doesn’t really care about the amounts though. Whenever a food delivery app recruiter calls me up I tell them I don’t think delivering burritos to other programmers is much value to the world.

ddtrafficking 5y ago

And on top of that some of these companies work by exploiting labor while not being held accountable for that. I recently learned from a doordash courier that he and other Bangladeshi men had paid tens of thousands of dollars to a human trafficking organization to work doordash in exchange for getting to the United States. Of course he didn't have this money, it was debt to the organization, and he has to pay it out of his DoorDash wages, plus interest, to the organization. He lived in an apartment with dozens of other men in the same situation. He had a gps tracker around his ankle and everything. How are you supposed to compete with a company that uses modern slavery in order to deliver your meal for $5 or less?

lotsofpulp 5y ago

> because restaurants must pay door dash and can’t raise prices just for door dash users All the restaurants I know charge higher prices if you order online than if you call directly or go in person. I do not use food delivery apps, but I assume prices are similarly inflated there since people willing to purchase online or via app are amenable to paying more. It is absolutely crazy to me the amount of premium people are willing to pay just to not have to pick up the phone or drive 5 min.

Jeff_Brown 5y ago
> It is absolutely crazy to me the amount of premium people are willing to pay just to not have to pick up the phone or drive 5 min. Crazy and awesome. It means people value their time highly, and can afford to buy it back.
- lotsofpulp 5y ago
  I hope. I suspect many or probably most cannot afford to buy their time back though, based on who I mostly see using online food ordering and delivery.
taurath 5y ago
It’s crazy expensive when you aren’t getting a discount, and even with many discounts. Tech money doesn’t really care about the amounts though. Whenever a food delivery app recruiter calls me up I tell them I don’t think delivering burritos to other programmers is much value to the world.