With extremely hectic schedules, it can be difficult to manage cooking a filling meal. That’s where food delivery services come in. These services operate in two ways – via the restaurant’s delivery partners, or through a third-party platform. While ordering food via online delivery services has become commonplace today, certain old habits could cost one more money. Read on to learn about eight mistakes to avoid when ordering food from an online food delivery service.

Failing to vet the delivery service
Before ordering via a third-party delivery service or a restaurant’s online delivery portal, it is pertinent to vet them. During this stage, there are seven things to consider:

• Specialization
  When ordering temperature-controlled foods, does the delivery provider offer special packaging? For instance, is the ice cream delivered in a special insulated bag lined with ice bags to keep it cool? A lack of these services could seriously impact one’s eating experience, no matter how great the restaurant is.
• Safety
  Consider whether the delivery service ensures careful delivery, without any damages. Without this, there is a massive risk of food contamination, which can result in serious infections.
• Food tracking
  With fast-paced lives, sitting around waiting for food is just not feasible. Ensure that the delivery service offers real-time tracking along with regular updates.
• Reputation
  Next, it is extremely important to consider the delivery service’s reputation and credibility. Do they have a history of defaulting on orders, or are the customers happy with their experience? Look up online reviews to get a better idea and set realistic expectations.
• Speed
  Consider how quickly the order needs to arrive. Most restaurants take between thirty minutes and one hour to prepare and deliver food. Some food delivery platforms offer express services, while others may require pre-ordering.
• Cost-effectiveness
  Lastly, it is important to consider the costs involved. Pricing may differ based on urgency, location, type, distance, or size of the order. Weather conditions, traffic, and total volume of orders may also have an impact on these prices. Find a service that fits within one’s budget.
• Customer service
  This may not feel as important, but it most certainly is. Check whether the food delivery service offers 24×7 support. This can be an absolute boon if the order gets held up, or if any unforeseen issues arise.

Not considering local restaurants
When ordering from food delivery services, many people resort to the same fast-food chain restaurants. This occurs so frequently that food delivery today has become synonymous with fast food. While these are trusted to deliver a certain quality of food and service, it can seriously impact local restaurateurs. Give the local restaurants a chance, they may offer a pleasant surprise! Since they aren’t overloaded, they may be able to deliver faster than chain restaurants. When ordering from local restaurants, one is more likely to eat healthier, with sizable servings that meet their nutritional goals. They may also open one’s eyes to different cuisines and foods, all while generating new employment in the neighborhood.

Ordering when hungry
After choosing a delivery service and restaurant, it’s time to order. Don’t wait until hunger strikes before ordering. It is always a good idea to order about an hour before one’s regular meal time. By doing so, one is less likely to be impatient or irritable during ordering, ultimately leading to a pleasant eating experience.

To avoid the hassle of ordering daily, one can also sign up for food or snack subscription services. There are several varieties to choose from. Some services send pre-portioned and/or partially prepared ingredients so users can make a home-cooked meal with minimal effort. Others, namely meal delivery services, offer pre-cooked meals. Alternatively, customers can also set up deliveries for their favorite snacks, meats, and more.

Ordering food that goes bad quickly
Along similar lines, avoid ordering food that goes bad or becomes unappealing quickly, as it could lead to food wastage. For instance, any leftover pizza can easily be packed in the refrigerator and consumed later. On the other hand, salads or other foods marked “consume while fresh” have a short shelf life, and may end up being discarded after the meal.

Storing delivery packages
Always dispose of or recycle the containers when the food arrives. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, these containers are not meant to be reused and may leech microplastics into other foods.

Eating from the container
Serve a healthy portion of the food on a plate or bowl. Eating directly from the container may send signals to the brain that there are big portions to consume, which could lead to overeating.

Paying with cash
Cash payments can make ordering food online inconvenient. While most delivery services offer cash-on-delivery options, the delivery person may not have the appropriate balance, making it a hassle. When possible, use the cashless option while ordering online.

Not thinking about delivery agents
No matter the location one is ordering from, it is essential to provide a complete delivery address. This helps the delivery agent reach the location with ease. In addition to the building location, the address must also include the floor numbers, gate passcodes (if any), or any other information that may be necessary. Additionally, one must also offer a tip to the delivery agent to showcase that their service was satisfactory.