Restaurant Update

Mint Thai - Order when you arrive
La Thai - Order when you arrive

Postmates restaurant update

Lately I've been doing a mix of Postmates and UberEats. Postmates has updated their system and now there are more restaurants that have direct pick up where the order has already been placed, so that is helpful. An update of restaurants I have for you:

- Superior Grill - Postmates places the order, you go to the bar and have to pay with the card.
- Grand Isle - Postmates places the order, you go to the bar and pick it up. No payment needed. This is in downtown and there isn't much parking nearby. I drove down Fulton Street and parked right outside the restaurant and just put my flashers on.
- Central City BBQ - Postmates places the order, you go to the bar and pick it up. No payment needed.

I still think UberEats is more efficient, but when it's slow I use both and switch off.

UberEats is so much easier to use! And pays better!

So I finally got approved for UberEats and decided to give it a whirl. Oh man, such a breath of fresh air! Everything I have complained about with Postmates UberEats has done! There's no credit card, no placing orders, no uploading receipts, none of that! UberEats alerts you to a pick up, you go to the location, go inside and they hand you the pre-made order, then you deliver it. Easy peasy. I can do twice as many deliveries an hour, meaning I am making twice the money! Also, you can get more than one order for the same place. So if you are headed to a location for pick up and UberEats gets another request for that location you get the alert and pick up two items and deliver them in the order received. Double the tips in half the time!

Check it out for yourself and get a $100 extra for signing up: https://get.uber.com/p/eats-courier/?invite_code=z8i3e
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Pizza Domenica

I had a delivery from Pizza Domenica the other day. Postmates does not pre-order for you, you need to go in and place the order. I arrived there and went to place the order and when I went to pay they took one look at my Postmates credit card and refused the order! They said they have been trying to contact Postmates to get off their list because they are no longer partnering with them.

Don't accept Pizza Domenica deliveries!! You will waste your time!

App updates

I love the new app updates! The orders are easier to view and the instructions for delivery are way better. Thoughts?

More restaurant reviews

Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro - Postmates orders for you, they are fast and efficient.

Chiba - Postmates orders for you then you pick it up at the bar. They usually have the food ready by the time I arrive.

Reginelli's - You have to place the order yourself. Takes about 20 to 30 minutes for them to make the food.

Little Chinese Kitchen (Kenner) - Postmates orders for you, they are fast and efficient.

Tartine - Postmates orders for you, but you have to wait in line to pick up the food, so if there is a line you are waiting.

Milk Bar - You have to place the order yourself. They make the food pretty fast.

Phone number to reach Postmates?

One time I had a Cane's delivery and another one accepted on my stacked deliveries. The first Cane's delivery I delivered it to the guy and he said he ordered two lemonades not the one I had. I apologized (even though the order said one lemonade) and told him that I was going back to Cane's for another pick up and I could bring him a second one. He lived in a dorm with an electronic entry code. I set his delivery to complete, went to Cane's for the second delivery and got him the lemonade. When I called the number Postmates gave me for him it did not work any longer. Since the delivery had been deemed complete that temporary number was disconnected. I tried to contact Postmates so I could figure out how to get him this lemonade but there is no phone number or email or anything else I could find. When I got home I tried to find information on their website to contact them and as far as I can tell there is no phone number by which to reach them. I even tried going into an order I had made for food and reaching out that way, I did reach someone by email but when I explained it wasn't for the purchase I made but was a fleet question I never received a response.

In short, there is no phone number or chat or any way to reach Postmates in the moment when you are having an issue.

Little things you can do to make customers happy

I always believe that communication is the key. Looking at my tips, I feel I have gotten better tips from those customers who I have communicated with whether it is to confirm details of an order or let them know I'm on my way to them. While the app will update the customer with where you are in the delivery process, sometimes a personal touch can go a long way. I also find it helpful to make sure there are condiments, utensils and napkins. I know for sure McDonald's will not give you ketchup unless you ask for it so be sure to ask for it. At Felipe's I'll always make sure to get some extra salsa to add to the order. I try and think about if I were ordering what would I want to make sure I had in the delivery.

Bad experience at Slice

Yesterday I accepted a delivery from Slice on Magazine. When I got there I placed the order and a moment later someone from the back was yelling who put in this Postmates delivery? The girl I had ordered from said "me" and explained I was at the bar. The guy pulled me in the back and said "you tell Postmates we will not accept orders from them. We will not run a Postmates credit card." I told him I would report it in the app but I had no way of reaching them otherwise. In the app I clicked merchant issue - merchant refusing order and the order was cancelled. I also texted the customer, they were not happy but what could I do? The point of this is if a potential delivery from Slice pops up, just say no!

Tips

After thinking about it a lot and trying various approaches, I really don't think there is a rhyme or reason to how to get better tips. Obviously, be nice and follow all instructions the customer gives. So if they have a note to call on arrival, call. Don't text. I find adding those nice touches like making sure there are napkins, utensils, condiments can help make sure the customer gets everything they want. If there is a delay in an order I will always text the customer to let them know. I find communication like that makes the customer happy.

Which restaurants are better to accept orders from?

I am still putting this list together so feel free to add to it. Here's a list of places I have delivered to, my thoughts on the experience and whether or not you order or Postmates does the ordering. These are my personal opinions based on my personal experiences, so if you don't agree or have other thoughts please (nicely!) comment.

- Amici's - Postmates orders ahead of time. Every time I have picked up here the order was ready. You pick it up at the bar.

- Ba Chi Canteen - You have to place the order yourself. They are very nice and have a waiting area for you. It takes about 15-20 minutes usually.

- Camellia Grill - The first few times I went here Postmates placed the order but every other time I had to go in and order. When they aren't crowded they are extremely fast but when they are crowded to go orders are not their priority.

- Chipotle - Postmates orders ahead of time. When you go in you can just go right to the register you don't need to wait in line. They always have the order ready when you get there and they move fast. Also, most of these orders go to the Uptown area and since Chipotle is in Elmwood I've never made less than $7.50 for a Chipotle delivery (plus tip!).

- Felipe's - You need to order yourself. These can be complicated because it is a build your own place so you want to make sure you get all the ingredients. They do have a salsa bar so I always add a few salsas.

- G's Pizza - You have to place the order yourself. Sometimes they take a long time.

- Lebanon's - One time I accepted this and Postmates placed the order but every other time I have had to place the order. They take about 20 minutes to make the food, so be ready for that wait.

- McDonald's - You have to place the order yourself. Most of time their drive thru is fast but sometimes it takes forever. You have to ask for ketchup or you won't get any. Even if the person you are delivering to didn't ask for ketchup I always try and get some in case they did want it.

- Mellow Mushroom - You have to place the order yourself. It can take anywhere from 20-40 minutes for an order. One time I ordered a salad and it took 20 minutes to get it. You place orders at the bar.

- Mikimoto - If you call ahead of time you can pick up the order at their drive thru, otherwise you have to order inside. Postmates does not order for you. They are very fast and very nice.

- Popeye's - You have to place the order yourself. Their line isn't as fast as Raising Cane's but it comes pretty close.

- Raising Cane's - One of my favorite deliveries. They are fast and efficient. You do have to place the order yourself but they always get the order right and their drive thru line moves fast. Most of the Raising Cane's orders I receive come from Tulane so it is a fast pick up and delivery. However, I find most orders are small, just one combo, so generally the tips are non-existent or small.

- Rolls N'Bowls - Postmates places the order. They take forever!

- Satsuma on Maple - You have to order yourself. There is almost always a line and it takes forever, so be ready to wait.

- Shaya - Postmates orders ahead of time. Every time I have picked up here the order was ready. You pick it up at the bar.

- Slice - Will not accept orders from Postmates.

- Starbucks - You have to place the order. Mostly these are fast pick ups but sometimes Starbucks is crowded or the orders are complicated and you need to follow up with the customer to make sure you get the right thing (there are so many options!).

- Tru Burger - You have to place the order yourself. Be sure the customer was detailed in what they want on their burger because Tru Burger will have a lot of questions for you and you don't want to waste time going back and forth with the customer.

- Walgreen's, Whole Foods - You have to pick up the order. Sometimes it is a long grocery list and can take awhile. I find with store runs I get better tips.