DoorDash class action alleges app charge hidden delivery fees

By Top Class Actions | July 13, 2022

Category: Fees

(Photo Credit: Sundry Photography/Shutterstock)

DoorDash delivery fees class action lawsuit overview:

Who: Leonard Lawson filed a class action lawsuit against DoorDash, Inc.
Why: Lawson claims DoorDash falsely advertises to its customers that there are no delivery fees despite adding hidden fees in the purchase price of items chosen for delivery.
Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.

DoorDash falsely promises and advertises free delivery to its customers, a new class action lawsuit alleges.

Plaintiff Leonard Lawson claims that while DoorDash will confirm a $0 delivery fee, it includes hidden delivery fees in the purchase price of individual items acquired through the platform.

Lawson argues further that items purchased on DoorDash are routinely marked up from what a merchant would charge for them in a physical store location and that the company charges delivery customers more than those who pick up.

“Through these practices, upon information and belief, DoorDash has concealed billions of dollars in delivery fees from customers and induced millions of customers to sign up for and place orders through the DoorDash platform that otherwise would not have done so,” the DoorDash class action states.

DoorDash class action alleges company does not disclose hidden fees to customers

Lawson claims DoorDash does not disclose to its customers, who rely on the company’s “calculation of the delivery fee to be accurate,” that it charges more for delivery purchases.

Further, Lawson argues DoorDash customers have “no reason to comparison shop” by choosing the pickup option, at which point they would discover they were being charged more for their delivery purchase.

Lawson claims DoorDash is guilty of breach of contract and in violation of California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act, False Advertising Law and Unfair Competition Law.

He demands a jury trial and requests injunctive relief along with damages or equal restitution for himself and all class members.

Lawson wants to represent a nationwide class of consumers who have placed a delivery order through DoorDash and been charged a higher price than they otherwise would have had they purchased the items in person or ordered for pickup.

A separate class action lawsuit was filed against DoorDash early last year over claims the company deprived its drivers of benefits by allegedly misclassifying them as independent contractors, rather than employees.

Have you made an order for delivery through DoorDash? Let us know in the comments!

The plaintiff is represented by Matthew L. Venezia and George B. A. Laiolo of Ellis George Cipollone O’Brien Annaguey LLP.

The DoorDash delivery fees class action lawsuit is Lawson v. DoorDash, Inc., Case No. 3:22-cv-04059, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.