Uber Eats Drivers Keep Stealing My Food

When I lived in Europe I didn’t use services as Uber Eats often, especially since I love to dine out. When I moved to the UK I’ve realized how big Uber Eats is here — people in the UK love takeaway: pizzas, burgers, Chinese…

There are around 70,000 Uber drivers in the UK. Due to my bad luck, I found myself in the UK during the lockdown and due to my poor cooking skills, I started using Uber Eats.

One night at around 8 PM I’ve ordered gourmet burgers for me and my partner. The approximate delivery time was fast, at around 8:40. My driver had an “expected arrival” around 9 PM which didn’t bother us that much as we were just looking for a movie to download (legally of course).

I’ve noticed that the Uber driver was about three minutes away on my app, so I headed outside.

I saw the Uber driver’s black Lexus approaching the driveaway.

I saw him slowing down.

I saw him look at me — our eyes locked.

I saw him stop, I was getting restless, I could feel my mouth watering.

I saw him reach out for the bag where my burgers were.

I saw him lean back — and drive away.

“Did he just steal my food?” — I cried in agony.

Yes, he did. My partner pulled up the CCTV — I had all evidence on tape. So I’ve sent a very cranky email to Uber Eats. They were unable to get in touch with the driver and verify his “version” of the story — so they could not help me.

I was not refunded, nor given the voucher.

Since then I stopped ordering through Uber Eats. My partner however still orders us meals from there from time to time. On many occasions, our side order, drink and/ or main meal are missing. Usually, he receives a refund — but whenever he orders we feel like its a gamble:

“Will our meal arrive? What will be missing this time? Perhaps we should have cooked tonight…”

Uber Eats drivers in Britain just keep stealing our food. I know they are underpaid — but that doesn’t excuse their behaviour one bit. Nobody makes them deliver food, they can look for another “better paid” job, instead, they choose to drive for minimum wage and at the same time steal other people’s food.

Some actually join Uber just so they can steal food. Some operate Uber Eats as a scam to steal food for survival. Uber drivers post in online forums how and why they actually do this.

It’s outrageous.

So here are the main reasons why your Uber Eats driver steals your food.

Because You Are Not Fast Enough.

I’ve noticed that drivers in the UK don’t even bother coming to the door. That is something that rarely happens in Europe — it’s part of their job to deliver the food to the door (even when it means climbing up the 3rd floor).

My friend once ordered from Uber Eats and the app told her that they “delivered” the food, but it wasn’t delivered. She swore she was checking the app frequently — she called the driver three times and nobody picked up.

There was no message left such as “I’ve arrived” or a photo of the alleged food…On another occasion the driver “delivered” the food to the wrong address that is less than 2 min away and refused to deliver it after being instructed by my friend, she even proposed to go to him. He left with her food.

I can advise only one thing — the moment you place the order, please go outside and sit on your porch, it might take anywhere from 20–75 minutes but it will raise your chances of receiving the food. If you wait in-house and wait for that knock on the door — you might never hear it and you will go to bed hungry.

Because You Didn't Leave The Driver A Tip.

When on a special occasion, the Uber Eats driver does deliver your food then it's a “must” to give them a tip. If you don’t and you get the same driver next time they might become vindictive and on purpose steal your food.

Keep tipping them!

Because You Have A Good Taste for Food.

Uber drivers are humans. They make mistakes (too frequently if you ask me), they mess up orders, they get lost, they have cravings, and perhaps they love Thai food! Imagine, they are driving for 8 hours straight on minimum wage, unable to have a break, starving…

What if perhaps the restaurant didn’t wrap your order tight enough and the smell of the Pad Thai hypnotized them and made them do things they would not usually do! So they slip — and they take your food. Try not to get too upset and take it rather as a compliment.

But if it happens too often order meals that are less likely to get stolen...

Because You Are More Fortunate.

Once an Uber driver made comments on the area where I live. He was reluctant to leave my doorstep and kept asking how much does it cost to buy/ rent a flat in my area. Before leaving he said that my flat looks too big for just one person to live in it.

He knew I ordered a meal for one.

To this day, I am confused and worried about that conversation. I wonder if he ever delivers me food again, would he spit in my drink? As I said Uber drivers are humans, and like other humans, they are prone to being jealous and weird.

Because You Will Be Hungry Tomorrow Again.

This one is easy and obvious. Uber Eats drivers will keep on stealing your food as long as Uber doesn’t strengthen their policies. But they don’t have to — they have around 90 million monthly active users on the platform.

If you don’t like Uber, you can be easily replaceable by the next hungry customer.

So until you stop ordering food from Uber Eats, there is no need for drivers to stop stealing your food.

Bon Apetit!

P.S. I took cooking classes and I make my own food now.

Thank you for reading!

This article was originally published here.