Skip to main content

Deliver cash orders

API: Drive

This doc covers the Drive API. If you're using the Drive (classic) API, the steps below still apply, but see the Drive (classic) API reference for the field names to use in requests.

Cash on Delivery (COD) is a DoorDash Drive product offering that allows Dashers to fulfill cash orders on behalf of restaurants. Key components of the COD flow are:

  • You create the delivery via the Drive API as usual, specifying a cash amount to be collected from the customer. See #3 below for a detailed guide on creating a cash delivery.
  • A Dasher will deliver the order to the customer and collect the cash. Once the cash is collected and the order is successfully delivered, the - Dasher will keep the cash they collected and that amount will be deducted from the Dasher's pay.
  • That same cash amount will be paid out to the store, net delivery fees. Payouts are processed on Thursdays for the week prior.

1. Prerequisites​

If you're new to Drive and haven't yet created your first delivery, you should start with one of our tutorials. The tutorials will walk you through getting the credentials you need to call the APIs and making some basic API calls.

We also recommend ingesting our webhooks so you can stay updated on the progress of your deliveries. Visit our webhooks guide for instructions on setting up webhooks and a list of the webhooks your app should be prepared to receive, including events for failed cash deliveries.

If you plan to create deliveries for more than one store (i.e. pickup) location, you will need to create a store entity for each one using our Business + Stores API and reference their alphanumeric business and store IDs when creating quotes and deliveries. You can get started with our Business + Stores API guide here.

2. Sign the addendum and provide payment account information​

Cash deliveries have an additional flat fee of $0.75 per delivery and require execution of an addendum with DoorDash. Once you've completed the integration requirements, start the process of signing the Cash addendum to your DoorDash agreement by submitting a support ticket. Our Operations team will work with you to confirm you meet all of the integration requirements, send you an addendum to sign, collect banking details, and set up weekly deposits for each of your stores’ cash earnings. Cash deliveries are enabled and paid out per individual store location.

3. Create a cash delivery​

To create a cash delivery, use the delivery quote and accept delivery quote endpoints or the create delivery endpoint. Ensure your Quote or Create request body contains the cash amount, in cents, to collect from the customer when the order is dropped off. Cash deliveries cannot be contactless and are capped at $100.

{
   "dropoff_cash_on_delivery": 1999,
    "contactless_dropoff": false
}

4. Account for possible abandonment scenarios​

If the Dasher cannot successfully collect cash from the customer, this is considered an ‘abandoned’ order. If the customer refuses to pay, or the customer does not have enough cash to pay the full amount, Dashers are instructed not to hand over the order or collect cash from the customer. If the customer is unavailable when the Dasher arrives at the dropoff location, Dashers must attempt to call or text and wait 5 minutes for the customer before abandoning. DoorDash will still charge the delivery fee in these scenarios, and no cash will be collected or paid out for the order. In other words, the store is responsible for ensuring that their customers are available with enough cash at the time of delivery.

If the Dasher cannot make change, they are instructed to hand over the order without collecting cash from the Customer. DoorDash will still charge the delivery fee in this scenario, and payment will be made to the restaurant as usual. Although this is technically a successful delivery from the customer and store’s standpoint, DoorDash still internally considers this to be an abandonment scenario.