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Even in the kinda rural area I grew up in it was common for Italian restaurants to have their own delivery drivers. Many still do, because the customer experien

by tfourb 3y ago

Even in the kinda rural area I grew up in it was common for Italian restaurants to have their own delivery drivers. Many still do, because the customer experience of the delivery apps is often inferior. If we go back to a pre-food delivery app time, my general take would be "and nothing of value was lost." Restaurants will still be able to have their own delivery services, people will still be able to simply pick up their food. Getting your Hamburger from that special place across town (lukewarm) is nice, but it won't kill you if its not possible anymore.

JumpCrisscross 3y ago
> Getting your Hamburger from that special place across town (lukewarm) is nice, but it won't kill you if its not possible anymore It might kill that special place across town, or at least cause it to reduce hours.
- socrates137 3y ago
  I suspect if the loss of these delivery drivers had such an impact on this hypothetical special place, they would hire their own delivery drivers to compensate. Worst case, you have to a call a number or use a mobile-friendly website instead of using an app.
- tfourb 3y ago
  If their existence is predicated on the exploitation of gig workers they should go under. The general demand for food won't be impacted by that one bit. Either people will be willing to pay more for their fancy burger or demand will shift to other businesses that can afford to pay their people a living wage. EDITED TO ADD: Something that isn't often mentioned in these discussions is that the existence of businesses predicated on exploiting labour is narrowing the space for businesses that would be willing and able to compensate their workers fairly. Delivery apps are pricing out sustainable business models if they are allowed to skirt labour regulations, just like the common practice of Amazon and other companies treating delivery drivers as independent contractors.
WeylandYutani 3y ago
But we don't go back because millions of customers use these apps every day. Just not HN apparently because people here are special.
- tfourb 3y ago
  The OP was talking about uber eats and similar apps potentially shutting down in New York if delivery drivers have to be paid minimum wage. None of these apps currently have a sustainable business model if they have to treat their drivers as employees under the laws of the local jurisdiction. Maybe they will adjust their business model if forced to comply with the law. Or they will shut down. Either way is fine with me.

by tfourb 3y ago

JumpCrisscross 3y ago

> Getting your Hamburger from that special place across town (lukewarm) is nice, but it won't kill you if its not possible anymore It might kill that special place across town, or at least cause it to reduce hours.

socrates137 3y ago
I suspect if the loss of these delivery drivers had such an impact on this hypothetical special place, they would hire their own delivery drivers to compensate. Worst case, you have to a call a number or use a mobile-friendly website instead of using an app.
tfourb 3y ago
If their existence is predicated on the exploitation of gig workers they should go under. The general demand for food won't be impacted by that one bit. Either people will be willing to pay more for their fancy burger or demand will shift to other businesses that can afford to pay their people a living wage. EDITED TO ADD: Something that isn't often mentioned in these discussions is that the existence of businesses predicated on exploiting labour is narrowing the space for businesses that would be willing and able to compensate their workers fairly. Delivery apps are pricing out sustainable business models if they are allowed to skirt labour regulations, just like the common practice of Amazon and other companies treating delivery drivers as independent contractors.

WeylandYutani 3y ago

But we don't go back because millions of customers use these apps every day. Just not HN apparently because people here are special.

tfourb 3y ago
The OP was talking about uber eats and similar apps potentially shutting down in New York if delivery drivers have to be paid minimum wage. None of these apps currently have a sustainable business model if they have to treat their drivers as employees under the laws of the local jurisdiction. Maybe they will adjust their business model if forced to comply with the law. Or they will shut down. Either way is fine with me.